2023 Amateur Challenge Trainers
Brooklyn Cook
Hi I am Brooklyn, but I go by Brooke. I’m 26 almost 27. I’ve always loved horses, they have always been the calm to my storm. Working with horses centers me back into being one with the earth and another soul to learn. I have never trained on a large scale. My work has been here and there throughout the last 8 years while I had my 3 boys. In the last 3 years I’ve trained 2 mustang from start to finish. I have worked on a breeding farm when I was in my teens. That taught me a lot! READ MORE
Julia Whitehead
My name is Julia Whitehead and I am a 17 year old from Collierville, TN. I have been riding and training horses for 5 years. I currently own a Quarter Horse mare and an Off-Track Thoroughbred gelding, who I re-trained for the Retired Racehorse Project’s thoroughbred makeover last year. I enjoy working with all kinds of horses, but am especially drawn to the ones who are green, untrained, or labeled as “problem” horses. READ MORE
Kevin Little
Hello everyone my name is Kevin Little. My love of horses came from my beautiful wife Rachel Little who will also be participating in this challenge. Horses to me are amazing and spiritual creatures that always deserve a chance to prove themselves and their capabilities. During the day I'm a truck driver, but when I get home I get to spend time with the family working on our farm and training/riding our horses. 2 years ago I began working with a mentor on starting colts under saddle and that has really shown me how willing horses really are and how privileged we are to ride them.
Mercedes Sampsell
My name is Mercedes Sampsell. I live in Fayetteville, AL. I have 5 children; 2 girls and 3 boys. The 3 boys are triplets!! I also have 6 grandchildren! I’ll be 62 next year while participating in the Trainers Challenge. I got my first horse when I was 13 and had her 21 years!! After that, I’ve had quite a few horses, some that needed starting. I’ve loved teaching horses the beginning steps of becoming a nice, quiet, willing partner and friend. READ MORE
Michele Sandifer
My name is Michele Sandifer and I am a Certified Facilitator for Equine Assisted Learning- what that means is that people work with and learn from my horses to help themselves become the best they can be. I have a degree in education and taught in the classroom for many years, but am so glad to be able to teach now outside of the classroom with my horses. I also teach horseback riding lessons and compete a little myself on some of my horses. I currently have 8 horses, 2 donkeys, 11 dogs and some barn cats. I live in Liberty, MS and have a son who works for Craig and Cole Cameron in Texas. READ MORE
Rachel Little
My riding journey began when I was just a horse crazy kid about 21 years ago. In that time, I’ve had the opportunity to ride and compete on a variety of breeds of horses in an even wider variety of disciplines. However, some of my favorite memories on horseback were made out on the long trail alongside my husband and our friends that we are fortunate enough to have met through our shared love of horses. READ MORE