Page 73 - November 2017

“How could I NOT love horses?”
Ryan serves on the board of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association, and the annual LQHBA Yearling Sale is always a big event. Rhylan says that this year was even more special because Robicheaux Ranch sold the sale topper, On Point, a son of Five Bar Cartel, for $182,000.
“My dad traveled to California several times to watch Five Bar Cartel,” said Rhylan. “He fell in love with this horse and always believed in him. He stands at our ranch,
and we had a baby off of him that my mom actually named On Point because of his good looks. It was such a special time for my par- ents and my grandparents. It was great to see my dad so happy afterwards. His hard work and belief paid off.”
Rhylan emulates Ryan’s work ethic in everything she does. This has recently included showing swine in 4-H.
At her local parish show, Rhylan has won Overall Grand Champion Gilt (young female pig) and Overall Showmanship, and at the district level she earned a Reserve Champion Gilt as well as a first among 9 year olds in showmanship. She then went to the state show at Louisiana State University, where she won in showmanship for 10 year olds and had several seconds and thirds.
Danielle and Ryan both attended LSU, and so Rhylan is naturally considering that school when she reaches university age. She would like to major in nursing, a career path that also stems from her family ties.
“When my baby sister, who is now four, was born, she was in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit),” Rhylan said. “That experience as a family and for myself convinced me that’s what I want to become one day—an NICU nurse.”
SPEEDHORSE, November 2017 71
YOUTH INDUSTRY PROFILE