Local siblings off to Youth World Show

San Clemente siblings Jackie and Kathy Mitchell will compete at the 2010 American Quarter Horse Association Youth World Show at the State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City on Aug. 1-8.

The sisters will take on some of the best young riders from throughout the nation in both Team Penning and Ranch Sorting.

Kathy, 12, and Jackie, 17, will contend in the Novice Division of Team Penning, while Kathy will team up with Macie Brown of Ladera Ranch in the Ranch Sorting Open Division – the highest division in AQHA competitions. Jackie will be an alternate in Ranch Sorting.

"This has been a dream of theirs for years," said their mother, Lorie.

The Mitchells were given permission by the AQHA to compete at the World Show after accepting their Hardship Application. According to Lorie, they had to submit an application because of a lack of qualifying events in California.

Kathy, a seventh-grade student at Bernice Ayer Middle School, was the 12-under champion of California last year in Team Penning. Jackie, a senior at San Juan Hills High, recently won $1,700 and two belt buckles at an event in Laughlin, Nev.

The pair stable their horses at the Ortega Equestrian Center in San Juan Capistrano. Their trainer is Lesley Mitchell.

Contact the writer: magarcia@ocregister.com or 714-796-3658