She's not "Just along for the ride."
Heather Wilkes is one of Washington State's top 4-H youth. At the 4-H State Competition, she exhibited in many events, placing 4th in Bareback Equitation, 7th in Trail and 4th in Horse Judging. Her individual scores in Horse Judging earned her a place on the Washington State 4-H Horse Judging Team to be competing at Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky during November.
With a little help from her parents Mike and Terry Wilkes, Heather took the reins early. Riding at just 2 1/2 years old, she got around on her 13hh albino pony. Later, moving up to an Arabian she learned to ride in many events, excelling in most. Today, this horse's reins have been passed on to other young riders. Recently, competing on two horses "Review the Clue" and "Otoes Day Break Mesa" she has been a tough competitor in all events including; Showmanship, Western Pleasure and Equitation, Huntseat Equitation, Trail and Reining. She has shown throughout Washington and Idaho competing at 4-H, Zone, Open and Buckskin Club shows bringing home many titles such as Res. Grand Champion Huntseat Equitation at 4-H State in '95, Hi-Points in many events in '95 for the Buckskin Club, the Perpetual Award for High Scores at the '97 Washington State Junior Horse Show in Yakima.
Heather is a member of Sat `N' Saddles 4-H Club and has been in 4-H for 10 years. She has represented Spokane County at State Horse Competitions, been a Horse Camp Counselor, instructed at county horse clinics, participated in Know Your Government and put in many hours of community service. All the while maintaining Honor Roll at Lakeside High School in Nine Mile School District. In school, Heather learned the skill of sign language / interpreting. She graduated in 1997 with a 3.42 G.P.A. and is now attending Spokane Falls Community College preparing for a career as an Interpreter of Deaf People.
At 18 years old, the end of her youth career, with everything in focus, Heather and the Spokane County Horse Team ended '97 with a "bang" or should I say a "JUMP" Bungy jumping that is. What a thrilling way to wrap up a tough week of competition in Puyallup. As for the future, it is time to put her skills and experiences to work, she just purchased a 7 month old Appaloosa colt named "E.T. Advanced", which she will train and show. She is looking forward to competing with him and is planning on competing in Non-Pro events at the Appaloosa shows in 1998.
The Spokane County Horse Leaders wish Heather Good Luck at Nationals and much continued success in the future.
Congratulations to Heather Wilkes - Horse Previews "Youth of the Month"
- Look at the Youth of the Month Archives
This page is a service of Horse Previews Magazine to enrich the youth equestrian community. If you are interested in appearing here, please contact: Horse Previews Magazine, "Youth of the Month," P. O. Box 427, Spokane, WA 99210. 509-922-3456 or 1-800-326-2223
