Lexy Slaughter knows a thing or two about success on horseback.
The 14-year-old granddaughter of Iolans Jack and Beverly Franklin has qualified for the World Finals for the National Youth Cutting Horse Association for the past five years.
But for all her success, Slaughter was almost certain her ultimate quest — a world championship — was going to be derailed almost as soon as it started.
That’s because Slaughter’s “partner,” Jay Bird (her horse’s nickname) was injured shortly after the 2015-16 season started last summer.
“She was devastated,” her mother, Iola native Jeanine Slaughter, told the Register. “She thought her year was going down the tubes.”
But NYCHA rules allow competitors to use another horse, even if they don’t own it.
“Lexy had an awesome friend who had two horses she could use,” Jeanine.
Given the reprieve, Lexy took full advantage.
She capped her year July 29 by being crowned the 2016 NYCHA Junior Youth World Champion at the World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas.
Her parents Bryant and Jeanine, grandparents, and other friends and acquaintances were on hand for Lexy’s crowning glory.
She earned an armful of prizes for the feat, including a trophy, belt buckle and scholarships.
Lexy competed against riders from as far away as California, Florida and Indiana.
Because she had competed so frequently through the year — they were on the road every weekend except for Christmas — the Slaughters were confident Lexy had accumulated enough points through the year to cinch the world title.
Still, she left nothing to chance, scoring a sparkling 228 at the world finals to seal the top spot.
“It was great to set a goal and reach that goal, but the best part of it was having fun and making new friends along the way,” Lexy said.
