Nevada girl earning top honors with horse she trained

Ten-year-old Jaiden Chei of Nevada and her horse, Freckles, spend a lot of time together -- much of it in the show arena; and this year, the horse and rider team has earned top honors in arenas across the state.

The show season wound down in November, and recently Jaiden rounded up four grand champion titles, one reserve champion title and one reserve high point recognition.

At an awards dinner this weekend, she'll be presented with a $150 belt buckle and other awards.

Single-show honors are announced at the event, but the championships Jaiden has earned go to the highest point earners in the classes in which they compete, so she didn't learn of the scope of her accomplishment until recently. Those competitions are not divided by age group, so Jaiden competed against riders of all ages.

Along the way she also competed at a Sedalia event called "Mounted Madness," where she won buckets, food and a host of other prizes. She and Freckles also competed in recent American Royal events in Kansas City.

There, she placed second of 34 competitors in hunt seat and eighth of 29 in the western class.

The family slept in a trailer during the four-day event -- a chilly experience in November. Despite that discomfort, they were pleased to do it, because said Sunny Chei, Jaiden's mother, "She's really, really good at it, and we (Sunny and Jaiden's father, Jason) hope she stays with it through high school."

It's expensive to show horses, and in many events, Sunny said, the horse and rider are both judged on ability and form, but appearance also is an important factor. Many local businesses have helped to sponsor Jaiden, and some of their contributions were used to purchase a show-quality saddle that added appeal to the picture.

Sponsors helped in other ways. Sutherlands, for example, paid for two entire shows.

The horse and rider have worked together for two years. Sunny was quick to point out that Jaiden has done all of the training with Freckles.

Freckles was a trail horse, formerly owned by actor Robert Wagner. Jaiden "basically took a trail horse and turned him into a great show animal," Sunny said.

Trainer Melissa Spinks of Jerico Springs has been a big factor in their success as well.

Although it's likely that Jaiden will one day outgrow the small-statured horse, these days they seem to enjoy a close relationship.

Freckles runs to the fence and whinnies when Jaiden gets off the bus each day, and Jaiden clearly enjoys the interaction and the showing.

Sometimes, Jaiden's 5-year-old sister Mia joins her in lead line exercises and show events.

"We don't know if Mia will want to do that, too, yet," Sunny said.

But for now, Jaiden plans to continue.

Next year will be her first in 4-H, and the family is looking forward to her representing the local club next year.