NSBYA Spotlight - Quinne Luckey
By Lili Drinkall
Being a horseman or horsewoman isn’t all about the accolades, glamorous show clothes, and trophies. A horseman is someone who displays confidence, compassion, hard work, and passion for our equine friends. When thinking about all these characteristics, 10-year-old Quinne Luckey displays them perfectly. Quinne’s family has always been involved in showing and breeding saddlebreds on a national level. Both of her parents John and Erin compete, as well as her older brother Jack. The love of horses is definitely a family trait. So it is no surprise that Quinne holds a love for horses.
However, things haven’t always been as easy for Quinne as other children learning to ride. Quinne was born with congenital hypotonia, a condition that causes her to have low muscle tone. Mobility has been difficult for Quinne, which led her parents to reach out to White Oaks Therapeutic Equestrian Center, otherwise known as WHOA.
WHOA is located in their hometown of Morrison, Illinois, and is one the only therapeutic equestrian facilities in northwestern Illinois. Interestingly enough, Erin was already a therapeutic riding advocate and had been participating on the WHOA board of directors years before she even knew she would need the program for her daughter.
When Quinne is riding Lacey, a favorite therapy horse at WHOA, they focus on her core balance and mobility. WHOA is an amazing program where children don’t think that they are doing therapy riding a horse.
“Everyone's the same on top of a horse, giving Quinne a sense of confidence and accomplishment…” says Erin. Quinne’s increased balance and core strength has grown immensely since she began riding at WHOA. This has played a critical role in her ability to walk independently. Initially, she was using her wheelchair at school 95% of the time. Since her training at WHOA, she now barely uses her walker at all! She is now able to walk independently with the help of braces, which is a big achievement!
Quinne tells me that she loves to compete at the horse shows and looking like a princess. Her favorite riding instructor is Dannette Musselman who helps her show at the larger saddlebred shows with the rest of her family. Quinne’s story is not only inspirational but motivating. She exudes determination and passion for a future within the equine industry. Her goals include gaining more confidence and possibly showing at the American Royal horse show. She is also dying to own and show a gray horse that she can spoil and give plenty of treats to. Quinne’s journey with horses is full of determination and perseverance. Her future is bright and I am excited to see what lies ahead for this bold, bubbly, and dedicated little equestrian.
