Page 72 - November 2017

Rhylan Robicheaux likes to say that her heart beats in “eight counts” because of her love of dancing. When the music
starts, Rhylan can’t help but move to the rhythm of the beat.
“Any style, any place, any time,” she said.
Three to four days a week, Rhylan’s mother, Danielle, drives Rhylan from their home in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, to dance lessons at the St. Martin Academy of Fine Arts in nearby Saint Martinville. Rhylan has been dancing since age two, and at age three she began dancing competitively.
“My teachers and dance sisters are like part of my family,” Rhylan said. “I couldn’t live without dance, honestly.”
But dance is only one of Rhylan’s many interests, not the least of which is racehorses and preparing yearlings for sale. Her par-
ents, Danielle and Ryan, are part of the large Robicheaux Ranch family. Robicheaux Ranch stands several major stallions in Louisiana, and regularly takes a large consignment to the sales.
As Rhylan explained, her life would have to involve horses, not only because of her par- ents, but because both of her grandfathers— Jude Robicheaux and Danny Trahan—have long been involved with raising, selling, and racing Quarter Horses.
“My mom and dad even met at a horse sale and dated basically from that day on until they got married,” said Rhylan. “How could
I NOT love horses? It’s that love that brought them together and made my family.”
Ryan and Danielle now have three chil- dren—Rhylan, Rheese, and Rhayli. That
Rhylan won Overall Grand Champion Gilt and Overall Showmanship at her local parish, earned Reserve Champion Gilt and first among 9 year olds in showmanship at the district level, and won in showmanship for 10 year olds at Louisiana State University
RHYLAN
ROBICHEAUX
An 11-year-old sixth grader at
St. Genevieve Catholic School in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
by Tracy Gantz
70 SPEEDHORSE, November 2017
sense of family keeps everyone close, whether it’s going to the races, selling yearlings, or partak-
ing of Robicheaux Ranch’s famous Louisiana cuisine. Come sale time, everyone looks forward to crawfish, jambalaya, and whatever else the Robicheaux family brings to the sale to share with friends, which pretty much includes everybody.
Rhylan especially loves horse sales because it provides bonding time with her father.
“We have gone on a father-daughter trip to the San Antonio sale twice,” she said. “At that sale, I have had to hold horses, bring shavings to the stalls, and bring food to customers. It’s hot, but it’s fun.”
YOUTH INDUSTRY PROFILE