Alexia Colton
Miss Cariboo Spurs
Apparel and Tack
My name is Alexia Colton and I am Miss Cariboo Spurs Apparel and Tack.
I am 17 years old. I was born and raised in Williams Lake. I am currently attending Williams Lake Secondary School as a Grade 11 student.
I am concentrating mainly on my sciences this year because I hope to go on to university to study veterinary medicine.
When I was young, I had always wanted to be an equine veterinarian and now that I am almost finished high school I feel that it would be a wonderful career choice.
Horses have always been a huge part of my life and have always come first.
I have been riding for most of my life and in February 2005, a 28-year-old Arabian, Quarter Horse cross mare named Fancy Dancer came into my life. Fancy had done cattle penning and cattle sorting all her life and had the ribbons and trophies to prove it. April 8, 2008 Fancy had passed away. She will always keep a place in my heart. I had tried a few different horses after she had passed away, but none of them were right for me and I was beginning to lose my inspiration to ride.
Finally, in August 2008 my family bought the perfect horse.
He was a three-year-old, sorrel, Quarter Horse gelding name Tiny Chunka Cash, or Gator for short. When Gator was only four, we had carried a flag, participated in gymkhanas, barrel racing, worked cows, and gone on many trail rides, and when he was five, we were part of the Williams Lake Stampede Parade.
Gator is now six and still surprises me with how much he is willing to do.
We have a bond that nothing can break. He shares the same place in my heart that Fancy does.
In 2005 I started doing 4-H and I have continued until this year. I took a year off to concentrate on this competition.
Every year in 4-H I have won grand champion dog showman. I have won best groomed dog for three years, and grand champion dog agility for two years.
In 2010 I won reserve champion senior horse equitation, and senior high point horse.
Also in 2010 I had the top Speckle Park calf. I was also honoured by winning the top senior proficiency award. In 2009 I had the opportunity to go to provincial demonstrations at the Agri-fair in Abbotsford with my friend Amy Stafford. We had placed first at every level except provincial level, where we placed second.
Also in the summer of 2009 I got the chance to travel to Kamloops for a 4-H leadership conference called Youth Action.
I was also part of the Williams Lake Tour Band that received the highest possible ranking in Victoria in 2008 and which travelled to Cuba for a week in 2010.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my sponsor, Cariboo Spurs Apparel and Tack, the sponsors who help keep this program running, and my family and friends for showing so much support.
I could not do this without any of you.
Thank you so much.
I really appreciate it.