John and Lisa Carter brought into the world on September 25th, 1997 a daughter, five weeks premature and weighing four pounds. Doctors informed the parents that normal growth milestones would be slow in coming and learning would most assuredly be difficult at best. Autumn Paige Carter spent only eight days in the neonatal unit of Carillion hospital, Roanoke Virginia, after her parents were informed it would be more than 30 to 45 days before she could go home. Mom has said she didn’t know whether it was my sheer will or her determination that made it happen, but from that point on I would prove the doctors wrong on all predictions. At three months old, I had reached the 95th percentile of growth and there was most definitely no difficulty in learning. Maybe it was because I was a premature baby, but determination is something I have no small amount.
I grew up as a Pap’s girl, spending time on the river or the lake fishing. He taught me to fish, took me sleigh riding in the winter, and was as involved in my life as much as one could be. He is where I get my height. He stood at 6’6’’ tall. Mom was always into horses, even before I was born and housed her horse on my Pap’s property. I was always excited to go to Pap’s to spend time with him and ride Afton Bar Lad, aka Chocolate. I loved every moment of riding, until I came off at the age of five when my Pap decided that a sliding off the side of the largest creature I had ever known was not going to hurt me. With bruised feelings, I decided that getting right back on was the answer. From that moment, I was hooked.
Other childhood memories include playing t-ball, riding horses at local shows, AQHA shows, and the State Fair of WV, and spending time with a family that adored me, and I adored them. The State Fair of WV was always one of my favorite places to be. It was also a great learning opportunity with exposure to so many different types of agriculture, arts and crafts, and other WV heritage. Over the years, I had the opportunity to show Belgian draft horses, quarter horses, sheep, and even a donkey at the State Fair. This continued through my high school years. I also ran track during my freshman year. One day while competing, I heard a loud pop in my knee during an event. I now have chronic bursitis that has plagued me, but I refuse to quit doing the things I love, especially riding and showing my horses. One of the most memorable trips of my childhood lead me to the All-American Quarter Horse Congress and I swore that one day I would show and perhaps participate in the queen contest. Well, my dream of showing at the Congress has come true three times so far, and hopefully, the other dream may yet come true.
In my freshman year I also met Jeff Walters who would become my horse trainer and close family friend. I spent three glorious summers working with Jeff and honing my riding skills. The third summer, I noticed a change in Jeff. He just didn’t feel good. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Jeff only lived three short months and left this world in December of 2014. Suddenly, my life was filled with loss. Losing my uncle in March, my Pap in November, Jeff in December, 2015 was a horrid year. Then not 8 months later, I lost my grandmother while competing at the NSBA world show. My world was turned upside down. Sometimes when trauma strikes, one finds their purpose. I know that I found mine. I wanted to do something with my life that would help those with cancer. I decided radiation therapy was the course I wanted my life to take.
Throughout high school and the beginning of college, I competed in the West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals pageant system. This has given me many opportunities to advance my interpersonal, intellectual, and communications skills through many public speaking opportunities. Through my various titles I was able to represent the WV Sweetheart Festival, Lewis County Fair, WV Oil and Gas Festival, WV Molasses Festival, and the WV Roadkill Cook-off. These titles gave me the opportunity to travel the great state of West Virginia and meet so many amazing people. I was also able to spread pancreatic cancer awareness throughout the state at the many events I attended. These titles gave me the opportunity to compete for the title of State Fair Queen at the WVAFF pageant held every January in our capital city, Charleston. After many attempts of trial and error, in my last year competing, I earned my top fifteen spot out of 80 girls vying for the title. By competing in these pageants, I have grown as a person and I believe the skills I have learned will help me succeed in anything I put my mind to.
Completing my Bachelor’s degree from Marshall University in May of 2019 has shown me that hard work and dedication truly pays off. I am thankful for the opportunities I have had in life, including serving this year as the West Virginia Quarter Horse Association Queen, where I helped fundraise for the WVQHA and held our 2nd annual Junior Queen and Princess contest. These opportunities have shaped me into the well-rounded, confident individual I am today. I believe that my experience in showing horses, competing in pageants, and gaining various skills through public appearances and community service opportunities will help fulfill my dream of being the All-American Quarter Horse Congress Queen.