Whiz Kid: Equestrian Stephanie Don

This week's Whiz Kid, Stephanie Don, is an exceptional young lady with a unique talent. In a society of fast-paced digital communication, most people struggle just to talk to other people, but imagine what it's like to talk to a horse! Stephanie Don, a student at , has a way with the horses--an ability reinforced by her outstanding record on the field.

Whiz Kid: Stephanie Don

Whiz Kid's Age: 13 years old

Whiz Kid's School: Huntington Middle School

Whiz Kid's Accomplishments:

• Champion Pony Jumper, Pacific Coast Horse Association 2011
• Reserve Pony Jumper Champion, United States Equestrian Federation 2011
• Reserve Champion, West Coast Pony Finals 2011
• Los Angeles International Jumping Festival Champion 2011
• National Pony Finals Lexington, Kentucky Team Reserve Champion 2010

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness:

Everyone has watched an action or western movie at some point or at least seen a film clip of an action movie star riding a horse. Having ridden a horse myself, I can tell you first hand that horses can be stubborn creatures and when they're not listening to you, often do whatever they want. This fact only serves to make Stephanie Don's accomplishments and skills all the more amazing.  

If you consider the average competition horse weighs around 1100 pounds, imagine what an experience that must be for a young woman who's been riding since she was 10.

Since first falling in love with horses when she met a Palomino Quarter horse named Bentley, Stephanie has taken leaps and strides in her rise to be an established equestrian. Her awesomeness is mirrored only by her determination: for the last three years she has been riding, she has trained six days a week for two hours a day.  If you add that up, that's almost 2000 hours spent on horseback and she can't even get her driver's license yet!

But her track record on the field is not just something born from her hard work. Truly, she is naturally endowed with the ability to communicate and connect with her equestrian partner, Bentley. What's more is that in spite of the tremendous amount of time she has invested into honing her craft as an equestrian, Stephanie is an equally diligent academic and while she excels in school, she finds time to pursue musical arts as a flutist. Stephanie hopes to be a forensic medical examiner in law enforcement as she moves on from middle school and into a future full of promise.

Bonus Questions:

What is your favorite food?

Chocolate ice cream (Ice cream's a food group! Dairy!)

What is the last book you read for pleasure?

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern; however, if she had to pick a favorite, it would be the Percy Jackson series

If you had the power to change one thing in the world to make it a better place, what would that be?

"I would work towards stopping world hunger."

Who are your parents?

Stephanie's father is Stephan K. Don, a graduate from the University of Southern California and currently practicing dentist. Stephanie's mother, Meredith Don, works for the .

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