2023 Youth Challenge Trainers
Abigail Gipson
Hi! My name is Abby, I am 14 years old and from Braxton Ms. I currently have two former rescues and other varieties of animals. i
I enjoy spending my time in the barn and working with my horses on a daily basis.
Christina Figueroa
My name is Christina Figueroa, I'm 11 years old, I have been working with horses all my life. My dream is to be a professional horse trainer. My mom is a trainer and owner of L&C Horsemanship in Wilsonville AL, and my dad is a 3rd generation Paso Fino trainer. I enjoy helping and working with rescues so they can find their forever homes and have bright futures. I have competed locally and nationally with a wide variety of disciplines and breeds. Competed and won the youth division for the Safe Horse Project with my pony Misty, we also took high point trainer of the challenge. I'm looking forward to this adventure and the progress of myself and my new teammate. !
Lexi Sones
Hi! I am Lexi Sones and I've been riding horses for about 6 years. I first started learning English at Blue Ribbon Riding Academy doing hunters and have been riding there since. I'm told that I am a quiet and calm rider so I tend to be put on a lot of green horses that are at any level of experience to better my riding. I participated in the MHR train a rescue challenge this past summer and have been training some of the horses there since June of 2022. I've learned a lot this summer and gained a ton of experience in terms of training and can't wait to continue to grow!
Mary Claire Allman
As an avid animal lover and horse girl, Mary Claire has been on horseback since before she could walk. She has a heart for all animals, especially those in bad situations or in need, and has always enjoyed volunteering at Mississippi Horse Rescue. She is in the 7th grade and is 13 years old. Mary Claire has enjoyed many areas of horseback riding such as showing in 4H, English riding, fox hunting, trail riding, barrels, poles and other speed events, but her favorite is barrel racing. Mary Claire is looking forward to Trainers Challenge!
Skylar Mims
I'm a sophomore in high school. I play flute and piccolo in the band at my school as well. I have shown cattle with 4-H for 4 years. I started barrel racing about 3 years ago and the curiosity for training grew and escalated from that.