December MQHYA Spotlight -Brooke Inchiostro

By: Hannah Inchiostro

The Cowgirls Beginning

The holiday season brings us to meet Miss Brooke Inchiostro. Brooke is 14 and just finished her 13 & Under career. She has been involved with horses her whole life. While she is an extremely talented rider, Brooke finds it difficult to ride horses she can’t bond and connect with on an emotional level, so she took a break from competing. Luckily, in the summer of 2018, Brooke was introduced to Hes Absolutely Sure, better known as Cruz. Brooke was able to connect so well with Cruz because they both knew what the other wanted. The perfectly suited duo had lots of potential and worked hard to make their dreams a reality. One of the best parts, according to her parents, about watching Brooke is to see their shy little girl, who avoids being the center of people's attention, walk out into the pen and perform with such confidence, unaware that all eyes are on her and her pattern.

Accomplishments

Brooke has picked up many titles and hardware along the way. Her most memorable are earning 3rd in the Level 3 13 & Under western riding and 5th in the Level 3 13 & Under western pleasure at the 2019 AQHYA Youth World Championship Show, two top tens in western pleasure and CONGRESS CHAMPION in the 13 & Under western riding at the 2019 Quarter Horse Congress. Brooke scored a 230.5 to win big at the Congress and the joy and excitement were overwhelming. Brooke “felt like a celebrity” as she came out and saw the cameras flashing, but was even more thrilled to see the smile and excitement from her dad who met her at the gate to help hold all of her earnings and congratulate his little girl.

Influences and Impact

Brooke and Cruz have come a long way from where they started. Her dad, Ken Inchiostro, also doubles as her trainer and has had a tremendous influence on the level that both Cruz and Brooke can perform at. Along with that, Jamie Dowdy teaches Brooke the secrets to connect with and riding the horse and has been a huge part of Brooke’s success. Brooke also has made an impact on many, including her parents. Ken says that his favorite part of watching Brooke show is watching her get into the zone before competing every time. He also says that Brooke’s best part of riding is that she “feels” her horse when riding. Cruz is one of the few horses that she has connected to on an emotional level, so when Brooke just thinks “change leads” or “go slower” he does. This also is her weakness and she will have to work hard to think more of what she is doing physically to get her through times of frustration.

Thank you, Brooke for Being a part of MQHYA and Merry Christmas from your big sis!