AjPHA November Member Spotlight

Name: Emily Soyka
Age: 19
Grade: second year student at The College of Charleston
School: College of Charleston
Hometown: Summerville, SC

Club (if involved in one): I have been showing with the Palmetto Paint Horse Club/Palmetto Junior Paint Horse Club for the last two or three years

Favorite Activities (outside of horses): When I’m not riding or showing my horse, I enjoy reading and making art. I love photography and have fun walking around downtown Charleston taking pictures and enjoying the beautiful city I go to school in.

Favorite song and movie: I love all songs by Hootie and the Blowfish and Dave Matthews Band. My favorite movie would be anything with Johnny Depp in it!

Horses Name: Juan Magic Moment, or “Hanna” for short. She is a 2001 bay Tobiano mare.

What do you do with your horse?
I have the most fun riding my mare at home, but I also really enjoy showing her as well. I have been showing her at the Palmetto Paint Horse Club shows in South Carolina and love it. The club really puts on great shows and I have met so many nice girls because of it.

What are your favorite events/activities with your horse?
My mare is best at the Hunter Under Saddle and Showmanship classes, but my trainer and I have been working on adding the Hunt Seat Equitation, Trail, and Horsemanship.

What do you like most about paint horses?
My favorite thing about the Paint horses is their versatility. I think it is a lot of fun to watch the great All Around horses be able to do multiple different events a day and be talented at all of them. Of course, their beautiful coat patterns is an extra bonus and its nice to see that every Paint horse really is unique!

What do you like most about AjPHA?
My favorite thing about the AjPHA is getting to meet different people my age that share a similar passion of showing our Paint Horses. The PPHC recently became a chartered Youth club with the AjPHA and our group is so fortunate to have leaders that work so hard to create a fun and exciting show experience for all of us. Not only do they promote good sportsmanship but having a more social gathering with all the youth at shows has been a fantastic way to meet the girls I show with.

What has owning a horse taught you?
Owning horses has been such a humbling experience and they have taught me to take everything in stride. Not everything works out the way we want them to, but dedication to our sport is the best way to get better.

What would you say to someone who might be interested in owning a paint horse?
DO IT! I used to ride other breeds of horses but as soon as I bought my first Paint horse I fell in love and haven’t looked back. The APHA has so many opportunities for Paint horse owners, whether you want to go to open shows and earn PAC points, come to breed shows for national points and awards, or hit the trails with the Ride America program.

What would you say to someone that is thinking about starting to compete in APHA shows?
I have so much fun at our regional APHA shows. Everyone I show with gets along well and we all truly enjoy having an outlet to meet people with similar passions while enjoying the horses we love most. APHA shows are challenging when you first begin, but I am so glad I stuck with it and kept trying to get better. I have made some of my best friends at APHA shows and even my horse has made friends with the other horses she shows with and stalls near at shows!