Young equestrian keeps it all in check 

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Sixteen-year-old Katie Getzendaner, of Midlothian, and her 4-year-old horse, Sonny, are competing in Western and English Pleasure and Trail riding at the Fort Worth Stock Show. � Photo by Ty Stepp�

Feb. 2, 2006 - Katie Getzendaner was busy exercising her four-year-old horse a day before her competition began. Trotting and galloping around the arena, Getzendaner was working with her horse, Sonny, because he has a tendency to be too fast.

Getzendaner is a 16-year-old from Midlothian who is competing at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. She is competing in Western Pleasure, English Pleasure and Trail.

Getzendaner has previously won $6,000 in scholarship money at the Fort Worth Stock Show. In 2003, she won $2,000 and in 2004 she won $4,000 for an equine youth scholarship for winning the most points in certain classes, Getzendaner said.

Getzendaner has been riding horses since she was two years old and has been showing since she was six.

"I've always liked horses," she said. "And I like competing because I get to travel and make good friends."

Getzendaner has traveled across the United States while competing. She has been to Arizona, Kansas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Colorado and Oklahoma.

� At the International Show in Michigan in 2002, Getzendaner won versatility and reserve high point.

� Getzendaner also competes in equitation, reigning, and speed events.

� Riding horses allows Getzendaner to spend more time with her family.

� "It lets my family bond," Getzendaner said. "My parents help me move in and set up the stall. They also help me prepare my horse."

Getzendaner's mother, Kathi, agreed.

"We meet a lot of people, adults, that we enjoy," Kathi said. "Competing gives the kids something to do and it keeps them close to their parents for a longer period of time."

Lately, since she is competing at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Getzendaner has been riding her horse every day.

"When I don't have a show to train for, I usually ride three times per week," Getzendaner explained. "Sonny was trained until he was two years old, and I've been training him ever since."

In her future, Getzendaner hopes to win more awards and use her scholarship money to attend Texas Tech University, TCU or Sam Houston State.

"Riding teaches lots of responsibility," added Kathi. "It teaches kids to deal with lots of emotions and keep everything in check when they are successful."