Dalton Hitchcock qualifies for World Show

Dalton Hitchcock of Manila has qualified for the American Quarter Horse Youth World Association Show in Oklahoma City, Okla. He qualified in two events and will be competing in reining and ranch horse pleasure.

Dalton, son of Brad and Paige Hitchcock, will be 15 in September and going into the ninth grade at Manila High School. His younger sister, Madison, also enjoys riding and competes in barrels.

Dalton has been riding since he was four, started competing at the age of six, and qualified for state competition at the age of eight. He rides in Jonesboro in the Northeast Arkansas Quarter Quarter Horse Association and competes once or twice a month at different shows.

The qualifying period starts on May 1 and goes through April 30. Points are earned throughout the year.

Dalton works with trainer Tim Laws of Harrisburg.

Dalton is looking forward to competing at the World Show where riders will be from all over the United States as well as Germany, Australia and other countries.

Dalton has been riding his six year old quarter horse, Chics, for two years. Chics is short for her full name Chics Lighting It Up. Dalton said Chics has been a really good horse.

Earlier in the summer Dalton was playing AAU basketball with the Nitro team and had the opportunity to play in Florida. He will finish his summer break from school in Oklahoma competing in the Youth World Show. He has had a good summer doing well in both of his favorite sports.