*STUNTGIRL OF THE MONTH*

Congratulations To This Month's Winner...

Dakota...from California!

I would like to introduce you to Dakota from Tehachapi, CA.

Dakota is 14 years old and she is a StuntGirl because she displays caring, strength, balance and skills in the Equestrian sport of Jumping.

Dakota’s love of horses and riding began when she was just 5 yrs old. She was drawn to them like a magnet.

Her parents started Dakota on trail rides. Then at 9 years old, she started taking lessons regularly with a trainer. That is until a nearly fatal accident.

During a violent rain and hail storm and while riding in the in-door arena Dakota and her trainer were aboard a younger horse when the horse reared and then came over backwards, her trainer had the presence of mind to pitch Dakota aside and then jump off the horse in a direction where neither of them would get crushed by the horse. Neither Dakota nor her trainer were hurt very bad, just bumps and bruises, but that scared Dakota enough to not want to ride for a while.

After a 6-month break Dakota’s horse fever came back. Dakota was actually terrified at first, because her last experience on a horse was not a good one, but by the end of her first lesson Dakota had settled down and remembered how much she loved horses and riding.

Dakota attended her first dressage competition and did ok. Then she competed in a series of 3 shows and finished second overall in her age group. It was during this time, Dakota knew she was interest in jumping. During the year she had progressed in her skills from cross rails and low fences to jumping and competing over 3 foot fences.

The next phase of her jumping career came when her family moved from Utah to California and she joined the United States Pony Club. Most of the 2008 Olympic Equestrian team were former Pony Club members. Dakota advanced quickly in Pony Club and is now a C2 rated rider.

Dakota now shares her love of riding and horses by assisting children via therapy riding lessons. She helps kids out with therapy lessons 2-3 times per month. Because of her advanced status in Pony Club, Dakota also helps with instructing the club’s younger riders, teaching them how to feed, clean and generally care for their horses.

Currently Dakota is training 3 horses (Murfei, Tezzi and Patty). She rides and works with her horses as much as 12 hours a week. Dakota participates in Pony Club lessons 3 times per month and 1 Schooling show per month.

Dakota’s current goal is to compete in 3 Day Evening. Her future goal is to some day ride in the Olympics and compete in Cross Country and Stadium Jumping.

Dakota has come a long way in few years. From riding and competing in Western (Arab) Shows to competing in Dressage, Hunters, Jumpers, Cross Country and Three Day Eventing.

So far it’s been an amazing trip for this StuntGirl, Dakota.