Ranfurly teenager seeking national selection

Amanda Voice (14), of Ranfurly, and her horse, Wade, go through their paces at a quarter horse event this year. Photo / Pam Jones

Ranfurly teenager Amanda Voice has her sights set on a world quarter horse event next year, and she and her steed, Wade, are well on their way.

The 14-year-old Maniototo Area School pupil has just won three more national titles and is aiming for selection in the national team to attend the 2018 American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup.

Amanda last month won the Hi Point Junior Youth In Show, Hi Point Youth Overall in Show (Junior and Senior) and Hunt Seat Equitation Trophy at the American Quarter Horse National Show in Taranaki.

Amanda's trusty steed Wade. Photo / Pam Jones

Last year, she also won the National Junior Youth Trophy and the National Games Trophy based on points for the Western performance events.

Western riding required large amounts of discipline and technique and there was a strong etiquette in the show ring, Amanda said.

Amanda trains with Wade several hours a day, and this year her training with the New Zealand Quarter Horse Youth Squad will include four youth training camps.

As well as seeking selection in the New Zealand team for the Texas event, she is hoping to be selected to compete in the transtasman challenge in Australia this year.

She said she was "really proud'' of 7-year-old Wade, who she trained herself, and she was grateful for the community support she received.