50 People for 50 Years: Katie Higgins - Our Smiling Overachiever!
Katie Higgins first came to Mane Stream as a summer camper. Each summer she would look forward to doing crafts, making tie-dye shirts, grooming, and “painting the horses”. But for Katie, it’s the horses that kept her coming back each year. As she says, “I love riding the horses the best.”
After eight years of summer fun, Katie decided she would like to try taking private horseback riding lessons. That was three years ago and Katie has been steadily progressing every lesson. One of the most challenging things Katie is learning to do is trotting. She loves her instructor, Kathy Dermody, PATH Intl. Certified Riding Instructor, and is currently learning how to post at the trot. Kathy commented, “I always call Katie my overachiever. She always works so hard during her lessons. When I ask if she needs a break, her usual response is, ‘I’m OK.’ Katie always exceeds my expectations and I am sure she will continue to do so!”
Katie is a regular competitor at Mane Stream’s Annual Fall Horse Show. In fact, this past October, Katie was the Grand Champion in her age group! She enjoys the camaraderie of the Horse Show and is excited to show off new skills every year.
What’s Katie’s favorite Mane Stream memory? Riding Carson! In a wonderful coincidence, Katie’s older sister Nina had competed in Hunter/Jumper shows with Carson years ago when Nina was riding with a local stable. That stable sold Carson, and the new owner eventually donated him to Mane Stream. It was a happy surprise for Nina to see Katie riding Carson at one of the summer camp horse shows. Holland Kochanski, PATH Intl. Certified Riding Instructor and former summer camp director, commented, “Katie is one of the sweetest and most kind people I have ever met. She always has a smile on her face, even when she is concentrating on getting her horse to do what she wants it to do. Katie has a passion for horseback riding, which you can see every time she is on the horse.”
Katie has grown up at Mane Stream, moving from camper to rider to Grand Champion. We are excited to see where Katie’s riding career with Mane Stream takes her, all with her big “Katie” smile!
