GARRETT Vaughan of Crosby knows a thing or two about quarter horses.

The soft-spoken 15-year-old’s horse Coolestshowgirlntown captured the world championship yearling mare title at the 2007 American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Halter competition this August. Garrett’s horse beat out 23 others in Dallas for the top award.

Garrett, son of Gary and Lisa Vaughan of Crosby, took home a trophy, belt buckle, a silver halter and lead and other prizes. He is the grandson of Leo and Ruth Keyes of Crosby.

One of the most memorable parts of the competition was having his named called when he won, Garrett said.

To be eligible for the world championship, Garrett, a freshman at Ross Sterling High School in Baytown, competed with his mare at qualifying events during the year.

He ranked in the top 32 youths out of 2,000 competitors to get to the world event.

“Garrett and his horse represent the best yearling mare quarter horse in the world,” his mother said.

The family bought the horse from Jimmy Cain of Crosby, who lives just down the road from the Vaughans.

After school, homework and football practice, Garrett worked with Coolestshowgirlntown on a daily basis as he began training for the world finals.

“It’s a daily thing,” Garrett said of his preparation.

He also worked with professional trainer Jason Smith of Dallas as he got closer to the competition.

Garrett’s daily routine with Coolestshowgirlntown involved teaching her to set up correctly. Set up is a term used to describe positioning the horse correctly for conformation classes. Garrett also exercised his horse.

He said that competing is fun and he has made a lot of friends in the event.

Everyone in the family rides, including his younger brother with whom he participates in junior team penning. His dad was a rodeo clown for 17 years.

“My mom and dad got me into horses,” said Garrett, who has been competing in halter for five years.

After the world event, Garrett and his family sold the yearling mare to a family in Florida. Garrett’s mother said proceeds from his winnings go to a college fund.

Now that this year’s competition is over, he and his family will be looking for another horse to begin training for the 2008 qualification.

He is a member of the Crosby 4-H, Texas Quarter Horse Association, and American Quarter Horse Youth Association.

Garrett enjoys working with horses. “I just like messing with them and getting to be friends with the animals,” he said.

He has his sights set on Texas A&M University where he plans to study to become a veterinarian.

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SOURCE: Houston Chronicle