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Ready for the big time

Aurora girl to compete at major US horse show

By TERRI CASTELAZ, Staff Writer 7 min read

AURORA, Wis. -- For 12-year-old Zoe Arnold, a longtime dream is about to become a reality.

The Niagara Middle School student will travel to Columbus, Ohio, next week to compete in the 2026 All American Quarter Horse Congress, the world's largest single-breed horse show.

Arnold and her 13-year-old gelding, Justa Good Margarita, known as Jose, will take part in the 11-and-under All-Around division from Oct. 15-19.

"I'm very excited," Arnold said. "I have worked really hard, and I think we are ready for it."

The event is expected to bring about 5,000 horses to the fairgrounds, with many classes drawing 30 to 50 riders.

"There's no other show bigger than this," said Arnold's mother, Holli Hehn.

People travel to the Congress from across the country, including as far as Texas, California and Florida.

For Arnold, the trip marks her first Congress and a chance to compete in Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation and Trail.

"These are all different disciplines," Arnold explained. "For example, English is fast, Western is slow and prettier, and Trail requires riding through equipment and opening gates. Showmanship, you are on the ground with your horse."

Each requires a strong connection between horse and rider, something Arnold has worked on throughout her years of riding.

"It shows how good of a horseman you are and, how well you've prepared," Hehn said.

Arnold has been around horses her entire life and began riding at about age 8. She started competing at 9, initially participating in showmanship and halter before working her way into additional classes.

She has competed at shows at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds, U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba and in Oshkosh, Wis. She has also traveled to Oklahoma for a horse show, where she placed reserve in the small fry All-Around division.

"That was really exciting and a lot of fun," Arnold said.

Her most recent show with the Great Lakes Equine Association, or GLEA, was another successful outing. Arnold placed second in the All-Around, missing first place by just one-half point while competing against trainers and judges. She also took first in her age-group division.

"She was only one-half a point away from winning the saddle," Hehn said. "She won a belt buckle for her age group."

At a Tri-County Horse Association show, Arnold, who is also a TCHA member, won a number of grand and reserve championships this year. "We figured she's on a roll, let's keep it going," she said.

Much of Arnold's recent success has come from the work she has put in with Jose, riding throughout the summer, after school and even after basketball practice.

"One of the things I'm most proud of is the work I have done preparing him for Congress," Arnold said. "We've been putting in lots of rides and practice, improving on the little things and trying to get better every time we step into the arena."

Arnold credits her mother and longtime mentor Miranda Weber for helping shape her horsemanship skills over the years.

"They have both taught me so much," Arnold said.

Hehn, who was involved with horses since she was young, serves as her daughter's self-described "pit crew."

"I'm her boot shiner," Hehn said.

Preparing Jose for Congress has also meant plenty of grooming.

"He needed a trimming. He was pretty hairy," Arnold said with a laugh. She explained that many of the horses that come from warmer states do not have a winter coat.

"Jose was already like a teddy bear," she added.

The family has been brushing and shining him every day, while preparing the equipment and supplies needed to take a horse to Ohio for a week.

"There's a lot of packing to do," Arnold said.

The trip has even more meaning because of the setback Arnold faced last year. Mid-season, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, resulting in a hospital stay and several weeks away from riding.

"We had to take a break and regroup a little bit," Hehn said.

Arnold returned to riding this year determined to make up for lost time.

"Zoe put in a lot of work," Hehn said. "She certainly exceeded my expectations for how her year would go."

Hehn said the work involved in showing horses goes far beyond what spectators see in the arena.

"You can't imagine -- it requires a significant commitment," she said.

Jose has been part of Arnold's life for about eight years. The quarter horse was purchased from retired trainers Larry and Rhonda Spratto, formerly of Oshkosh.

"He was Larry's pride and joy," Hehn said. "It was a great honor and special for us to be able to purchase him. We feel very fortunate."

Arnold said Jose has become much more than a horse she competes with.

"He's amazing -- I couldn't ask for a better horse," she said.

Hehn said Jose has a quirky personality at home but knows when it is time to compete.

"He's been wonderful for her," she said. "He is really competitive and high quality, but at the same time he has pet characteristics. He's definitely our family and pet first."

Hehn said the lessons Arnold has learned through horses extend beyond the show ring.

"All the things horses teach you are all life skills," she said. "Like being able to handle pressure and managing expectations."

Horses, she said, also teach patience and flexibility.

"I think being involved with horses in general requires a lot of grit, whether you're a kid or an adult," Hehn said. "It's a really difficult sport."

She added horses are also humbling. "They sometimes have a mind of their own. You can put a lot of preparation into something, and things can still not go your way," said Hehn. "That has been a really good lesson for Zoe, showing her how to be flexible and get the best out of her horse that day."

"Horses can have bad days just like us," Arnold added.

For Arnold, the partnership between horse and rider is also what makes the sport different from other activities.

"I just love it," she said.

And while competing against some of the best young riders from across the country could be intimidating, Arnold said her nerves disappear once she enters the arena.

Her goal is not simply to attend Congress but to walk away knowing she and Jose gave everything they had.

In addition to competing, Arnold is looking forward to taking in the sights and activities that make Congress one of the largest horse shows in the world.

Arnold extends a special thank you to the "behind-the-scenes boys" -- her dad, Kevin; stepdad Cody and brother Mikah -- whose support, sacrifices, encouragement and willingness to pitch in wherever needed help make it all possible.

She would like to especially thank her grandparents, Patti and Don Arnold, who have sponsored her classes and stall as well as attend nearly every show.

Arnold is also grateful to the many relatives, friends and members of the horse community who have contributed to make the trip possible.

"Everyone's support has meant a lot to me -- I appreciate it so much," she said.

"This is a really cool opportunity," Hehn said. "We want to thank everyone for being behind her."

The competition can be followed through the Congress livestream on the event's website, https://www.quarterhorsecongress.com/livestream, allowing friends and supporters to watch Arnold and Jose represents their community on one of the sport's biggest stages.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.

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