Horse Show Girls

PRAIRIE GROVE — Leah and Delaney Blanchard, ages 12 and 10 respectively, have returned home to northwest Arkansas after an impressive competition in the Youth National Arabian and Half-Arabian Horse Show.

The sisters, who reside at Prairie Grove, went to Albuquerque, N.M., during July for the competition, which is limited to those who have earned the right to enter by amassing sufficient points at various local and regional shows.

According to the girls’ grandmother, Liz Ellis, competition at the national show is considered a real honor and a testament to the riding skills of those competing on the national stage. The Top 10 designation is awarded to those 10 competitors in each class who have received the highest points as determined by a panel of nationally recognized judges.

Leah, competing for only the second time at youth nationals, was awarded top 10 honors in three different categories for ages 11-13; receiving two in western pleasure with her Arabian Horse Muskquite +/, and another in hunter pleasure, riding her sister’s horse Vvictorious Secret.

Delaney, showing for the first time on the national stage, won her first Top Ten award with her half-Arab mare, Vvictorious Secret, in hunter pleasure equitation for her age group of ten and under. “Judging by her showmanship and skill, this is the first of many top 10 awards Delaney can anticipate,” Ellis said.

Both girls have been riding since they were able to sit on a horse. Leah, in addition to her impressive riding skills, is also recognized for her singing, piano and artistic talents. Delaney, who will be participating as a cheerleader this school year, is also involved in the school choir and studies piano. She aspires to becoming a noted horse trainer and judge, and perhaps even a swimsuit model.

Shannon Blanchard, the girls’ mother, is owner/ manager of Cedar Springs Equestrian Center in Farmington; while their father Michael Blanchard is director of the Science and Technology Division, Research and Development for Tyson Foods at Springdale. The girls have two brothers, Jesse, age 17; and John, age 15, who are students at Prairie Grove High School.

COURTESY PHOTO Leah Blanchard, 12, of Prairie Grove, competed at the Youth Nationals Arabian Show held at Albuquerque, N. M., during July.

COURTESY PHOTO Delaney Blanchard, 10, of Prairie Grove, competed at the Youth Nationals Arabian Show held at Albuquerque, N. M., during July.