Horses for Youth Contest Winners

The Bicentennial Wagon Train and Stagecoach Run Horses for Youth Contest Winners were drawn on Saturday July 12th at the Trail Ride and Learn in Little Valley, NY. The drawing was held just before the chicken Bar-B-Q dinner put on by Stagecoach West and the Little Valley Riders Club.

Each child had sent in an entry form and as these came in they were given a number. These numbers were then put on a small piece of paper and put in a can. On Saturday Leah Leising with the help of Randy Shaffer Vice President of the Cattaraugus/Chautauqua Chapter of the NYS Horse Council and several young people attending the Trail Ride and Learn picked the winning numbers from the can. Each number was then matched to the corresponding entry to find out the lucky winner's names. Each winner was then called and confirmed that they would be able to attend.

The winners are:

  • Justen Laird from Cuba, NY

    Sponsored by the Hinsdale Historical Society

  • Lyla M. Bromley from Conewango Valley, NY

    Sponsored by the Leising's, South Dayton, NY

  • Luke Defoe from Ellicottville, NY

    Sponsored by the Ellicottville Rotary

  • Brianna Campbell from Little Valley, NY

    Sponsored by Annie Widger & Gentle Thunder Farm, Ellicottville, NY

  • Sarah Larson from Cuba, NY

    Sponsored by the Cattaraugus County Horsemen's Association and Equine Advisory Committee

  • Lydia McGarvey from Waxhaw, North Carolina

    Sponsored by the Crosspatch, Little Valley, NY

  • Jullie Anne Deckman from Hinsdale, NY (2day & 2 nights stay)

    Sponsored by the Cattaraugus/Chautauqua Chapter of the NYS Horse Council

  • Daniel M. R. Woods from Mayville, NY (2day & 2 nights stay)

    Sponsored by the Cattaraugus/Chautauqua Chapter of the NYS Horse Council

These sponsors have graciously donated a fee to cover the expenses for the winners stay and learning experience on the Wagon Train. The winners will be staying on the Wagon Train throughout the two week run—each has chosen the day or days they would like to attend. We thank all 47 children who entered and wish that all could win. We also thank our Sponsors for being so kind and allowing these children to experience a possibly once in a lifetime learning event.

Leah Leising, Horses for Youth Chairman