At the age of 14, Taylor Dixon can already call herself a world champion horse rider.
The soon-to-be freshman at Smyrna High won two first place titles at the Pinto World Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma in early June, in the English Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle categories in the youth senior division for ages 14 to 18.
Later that month, she won first place in Hunter Under Saddle at the Paint World Show at Fort Worth, Texas, also in the youth senior division.
Taylor is the daughter of Ruth and Lee Dixon who live between Kenton and Cheswold.
What was her reaction after winning in the first show in Oklahoma?
“I was very surprised,” said Taylor. “I knew I had a good ride, but I didn’t think I’d won.”
More than 60 riders competed in her division from all over the United States and several other countries including England and Sweden.
“It’s a pretty big deal,” said her trainer, Marty Dixon, who shares a last name but is not related to Taylor. “I was surprised. You go out, hoping to do well, but to win is quite an honor for her.”
Taylor’s mother Ruth accompanied her to Oklahoma as well.
“I can’t express to you just how thrilling it was when they called her number,” said Ruth. “She works hard at this, and we’re all very proud.”
The confidence Taylor built by winning in Tulsa carried over to the competition in Fort Worth.
“In Texas, she was first with four of the five judges, so she just did a phenomenal job,” said Ruth. “That was her first time competing at the show in Texas, so that was uncharted territory. She was pretty much a ‘no-name’ so to go in and win against riders who were older and established was incredibly thrilling.”
Taylor’s father Lee went with his daughter to the Texas show.
In each competition, the riders listen to the announcer and try to get their horse to follow the announcer’s commands to “walk,” “trot,” and “canter.” A rider is judged on proper technique and on the horse performing the right movement at the right time.
Each competition lasted about two hours, as riders were eliminated round by round.
“I was a little nervous,” said Taylor. “It was my first year in that division.”
Trainer Marty Dixon said that Taylor’s titles are the result of years of practice and dedication.
“She’s been training since the age of 7, started as a little kid,” said Marty. “She’s improved immensely. Taylor’s an excellent student. She works very hard. She’s very dedicated. She’s really an excellent rider.”
