Get to know Ashley...
Meet the Tri-State Quarter Horse Association Queen, Ashley Ball. This accomplished young lady is the author of "My Horse Samson," which Mom's Choice Award recipient and available for purchase on Amazon. Be sure to read Ashley's feature below!
1.) Name and Association Representing:
My name is Ashley Ball and I will representing the Tri-State Quarter Horse Association.
2.) Where are you from? Tell us a little about your hometown.
I live in Terra Alta, a small-town in West Virginia that sits high amid the Allegheny Mountains. We are best known for our resorts and bountiful farmland!
3.) Why did you choose to compete for the title of 2015 All American Quarter Horse Congress Queen?
I’ve been showing horses since I was seven years old. I started by showing Welsh ponies, and grew into my first Quarter Horse at the age of nine. I have shown at many 4-H level shows and dreamed of participating in the American Quarter Horse Congress one day. At the age of 12, I attended my first Quarter Horse Congress. In 2010, I placed 3rd in the over fences and received my first Congress ribbon from the 2010 Quarter Horse Congress Queen, Brittany Barker. At that moment I realized what an honor it would be to represent the Quarter Horse industry. I knew that one day, I also wanted to become a Quarter Horse Queen.
4.) Are you currently in school? Employed?
As a graduate of World Wide College of Auctioneering, I work as an Auctioneer at my family’s Auto Auction Business. I enjoy working at auto and livestock auctions as a ringwoman. After auctioneering school, I volunteered to auctioneer at an auction where all proceeds went to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
5.) Favorite Horse Memory or Accomplishment?
At the age of nine, I rescued two horses form the local animal shelter and within two weeks we had three horses running around! Both horses were so malnourished that not even the shelter knew one was expecting. "Samson" became my best friend. He listened to my secrets, my goals, and my problems. I taught him everything including jumping. In the summer of 2010, I took Samson to the WV State Fair where we came home with Grand Champion Jumper! My sophomore year of High School my English teacher asked me to write about "Samson" and then a publisher asked if they could publish it as a book. The book is now available on www.amazon.com.
6.) Interesting Fact about yourself?
The book "My Horse Samson" has become a top seller on Amazon.com for kids. I received the prestigious "Mom's Choice Award," along with several other book awards. I was asked to participate in the BookExpo America and bookstores for author signings. I have been approached by Scholastic Books for Children & Young Adults and asked to consider writing more. I am definitely looking forward to writing more children’s books in the future!
