Ligonier teen impresses judges in Westmoreland Fair horse shows

Horses have been a part of Laurel Daniels’ life forever.

The 16-year-old began showing horses at age 6. Ten years later, she’s still showing them – and her hard work and dedication have paid off.

During the Westmoreland Fair’s miniature horse halter class show on Thursday, Daniels and her mini horse Noonie Pie took home first prize.

“I was pretty excited about it because I didn’t think we were going to win, but she did really good for not showing in a year,” said Daniels, who attends Ligonier Valley High School.

Daniels also showed a big horse and market lamb at this year’s fair. Her other horse, Elsa, earned grand champion at a horse show this week.

Daniels’ favorite part of the fair is living at the fairgrounds for a week. She loves sleeping in the barn all night, riding all day and hanging out with her friends and family members.

Daniels’ mother, Maria Daniels, said her daughter is quite the show woman. Daniels will head to Fayette County district show this September, with hopes of earning a spot in the state competition.

Daniels was a state champion last year, her mother said.

In October, the teen will also compete in the All American Quarter Horse Congress show in Columbus. The show is the world’s largest single-breed horse show. There were 25,000 entries in 2019, according to the show’s website.