Local teen Jenna Ratke, of Morgantown, and her Quarter Horse Rio One Step Closer took the crown at the National Reining Horse Association’s 14-18 Youth World Championship last month with 280.5 points.
This win comes after a year of traveling the country for competitions, attending a show nearly every weekend.
“It was rough at some times, but it was fun,” said Ratke.
Reining competitions challenge riders to guide their horse through specific patterns, including circles, spins and sliding stops. The goal is to demonstrate the horse’s athletic ability — something for which Rio is known.
At 11 years old, Rio is past the typical age for reining horses, who tend to retire around age 5. Thanks to Rio’s love for the sport, this is his second title, the first of which he earned with his previous owner.
“He’s really a trooper,” said Ratke. “We did have our ups and downs, but we both pushed through it no matter what.”
Ratke, 18, has been riding horses her entire life. She tried a few sports, including barrel racing and ranch riding, but settled on reining in middle school.
“My trainer at the time wanted me to try [reining], and that’s basically how I got started with it,” said Ratke. “Then I got my own reining horse and have moved on to bigger shows.”
While competing, Ratke missed out on some high school experiences, including prom and homecoming. The tight-knit horse-riding community made up for it, though.
“I was sad at first, but then I would get [to competitions] and all my friends would be there and we would hang out,” said Ratke. “I’ve met so many new people and some of them are now my closest friends.”
Ratke also placed third in the Toyon Ranch Rookie of the Year Challenge at the 2022 NRHA Futurity.
Although their next riding season won’t be quite as intense, Ratke says she hopes to compete in a couple shows each month. For now, Ratke and Rio are enjoying the winter off while Ratke takes her journeyman electrician exam and works for her family’s business. She is a graduate of University High School and Monongalia County Technical Center’s electrical program.
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