Meet Rachael Young, Reserve World Champion
Castleton student Rachael Young spent the fall semester of her junior year hitting the books like any other college student, but rather than completing her schooling in a traditional classroom environment, she was given the opportunity to fulfill her classroom requirements while traveling the country to chase her dreams.
“Not many other students knew what was going on,” she said.
Dressed in jeans, chaps, long-sleeved shirts, spurs, and a western hat, the Castleton native made her way around the country competing in reining-horse competitions. By the end of the fall semester Young and her nine-year-old quarter horse gelding, Smart Little Stepper, were ranked second in the world in two divisions.
“His normal name is Pete,” she said of her champion horse, “He’s a competitor in his own way. I know it’s impossible to believe, but they have their own personalities and he has an ego.”
Through the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), Young and her egotistical horse earned the 2013 Reserve World Champion Title in the Limited Non-pro and Intermediate Non-pro divisions, bringing in a total earnings of $19,000 for the year.
From Massachusetts to New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, New York, Oklahoma, and even Canada, Young competed in a total of 77 classes, taking first place 49 times, with 15 second place finishes.
Traveling around the map collecting trophies and winnings Young was left with little opportunities for a traditional classroom experience.
However, with access to Moodle, a flexible college curriculum and email on her phone, the Accounting and Marketing major was able to remain a full-time student and stay in communication with her professors about assignments when she was on the road.
According to Professor Peg Richards, Young’s strong organizational skills are a major component to her ability to balance the books and the road. As her professor in Principles of Finance, Richards said the determined Young met with her early in the fall semester to layout her personal and professional agenda.
“Due to her rigorous schedule, Rachael has needed to miss some classes, but has made a tremendous effort to stay on top of her homework and tests,” she said. “I never cease to be amazed at Rachael’s ability to balance her love for horses and competition as well as her skills in the classroom.”
Richards’ support and admiration were mirrored widely throughout the Business Administration department.
Staff Assistant, Deb Danforth said many members of the department share Young’s passion for horses and were easily excited about her competitions.
“Whenever she was away at a show and there was a live streaming of the show, we could all, as a department, tune in and watch her ride,” she said.
Born and raised in the Castleton area, Young’s road to the championship ring began at the age of four, when she started riding at Pond Hill Stables. At 15, she began reining and has not looked back.
Now at the age of 22, Young rides under the guidance of NRHA Professional, Dan Sanborn and Samantha Silver from M.D.S Farms out of Salisbury, N.H.
Constantly traveling from state to state, Young said she reached a point where being on the road became the norm. At times knowing exactly where she was or what day it was seemed unimportant.
“It’s like a separate life,” she said of her time on the road.
Despite the feeling of a dual life, since the start of her horse career Young said she has received immense support from those at home. She keeps in touch with her parents, Ralph and Susan, long-time boyfriend Nate Stannard and her grandmother, Pauline. The relationships grown on the road have made those at MDS Farms like another family to Young.
According to Young her Reserve Champion Title run has left her too high in NRHA earnings to compete as a Limited or Intermediate Non-pro in the future. For the time being she intends to focus on finishing her accounting and marketing degree while Pete takes a well-deserved 6 months to rest.
She hopes the pair will one day return to a high level of competition.
“To me it’s was a once in a life time opportunity, and when the chance came along I took it,” she said. “If I had to go right back on the road again tomorrow I would do it.”