Reagan Murton rides her horse Dixie around a barrel during a recent show. Courtesy photo

A Central Cambria Middle School teen raced her way to becoming the pole bending champion in the All-American Youth Horse Show on May 7 in Columbus, Ohio.

Reagan Murton, 14, rode her quarter horse, Dixie, in the pole bending competition against 30 other riders in the 13 to 15 division, completing the run in 23 seconds.

“They announced her name, and it was a blur,” said her father and trainer, Daron

Murton. “It hasn’t set in, and it’s taken a long time for it to set in.”

The father and daughter duo have trained together for 10 years, as Murton and his family were involved in showing animals and horseback riding. Seeing scrapbook photos of her father in action, Reagan said her first words were, “I want a pony.”

“I looked at one of those (photos), and I said, ‘that’s what I want to do,'” she said.

Over the years, they worked toward multiple show titles, including an All-American Youth Horse Show champion title after Reagan secured fourth place in 2025.

Murton said his daughter would ride Dixie rain or shine, exercising her horse in hopes of achieving the title.

Murton told Reagan, “‘The effort will come back to your benefit someday,'” Murton said.

During the competition, Reagan said that she was nervous, but she remained confident because pole bending was their specialty.

While acknowledging that his daughter is a talented rider, Murton said that she is also responsible with her two horses, waking up early each morning before school to care for them.

Reagan said horseback riding allows her to connect with the animals, something that she finds therapeutic as well.

“I can talk to them and not get judged,” she said.

She plans to continue competing next year with hopes of one day becoming a nurse.

“She can do anything,” Murton said. “She’s got the desire.”