Alexis Daugird makes her Paint World debut
By Kensie Darst-Todd
Alexis Daugird has spent countless nights riding in an ambulance, working emergency calls to pay for a dream she refused to let slip away. Now, all those late-night shifts and early mornings have carried her and a bright-eyed palomino overo mare nicknamed Lulu all the way to Fort Worth for their first-ever APHA World Championship Show together.
A senior biology major at the University of South Carolina, Alexis has spent the last three years juggling honors college coursework, competing on the university’s horsemanship team and working late shifts as an emergency medical technician—all to fund her lifelong dream of owning her very own horse.
“My parents were always extremely supportive,” Alexis said. “But they always said, the first horse you truly own will be one you buy yourself.”
And so she did.
After countless leased horses and green catch rides throughout her Youth career, Alexis saved up and went horse shopping with a vision: a towering hunt-seater, 17-hands, ready to conquer the all-around. Instead, she found Dunit The Magnum Way, or rather “Lulu” found her, thanks to Martina Morell, a trusted trainer back home in Wisconsin.
“Martina sent me a video of this 15-hand palomino mare,” Alexis laughed. “I told her, ‘This is not what I said I was looking for.’ She just told me to come try her.”
Ten minutes into that first ride, Alexis knew she’d found the one. Lulu, who had only ever shown in reining, knew nothing of patterns, rail work or fancy lead changes, but she was willing. For Alexis, that try meant everything.
“She got confused but never got mad,” she said. “I knew then this was the horse I’d buy.”
When Martina died suddenly a month later in March 2024, Alexis and Lulu were left standing on shifting ground. A young horse in need of training, a college student with nowhere to house her horse, and the loss of a close friend who was the first to see Lulu’s potential. But kindness found them. Julie Kennedy in South Carolina welcomed Lulu sight unseen, giving Alexis and her palomino mare a new beginning.
Their debut was at a Paint Horse show in South Carolina. Alexis entered Lulu, who was fresh from the reining pen and green to everything else, in as many classes as possible. They won Green Ranch Riding, Amateur Ranch Rail and Amateur Hunt-Seat Equitation and placed second in Amateur Horsemanship.
“She’s just that kind of horse,” Alexis said. “As long as you’re kind and go with her flow, she tries her heart out for you.”
A New Adventure
Now, a year later, Alexis and Lulu have traveled 16 hours to Fort Worth for their biggest test yet—their first APHA World Championship Show. Her mother, Stacey, and loyal dog Dalton accompanied Alexis to Fort Worth. While here, she took advantage of complimentary assistance from Markel/APHA Professional Horsewoman Andrea Simons who, along with other program pros, volunteered her time to assist Youth and Amateur exhibitors attending the World Show without a trainer of their own.
The team made its debut on June 24 in Amateur Hunt-Seat Equitation, where they placed ninth. They will also compete in Amateur Showmanship and both Amateur and Novice divisions of the horsemanship and ranch classes at the World Show. Lulu, once expected to rein circles, now cruises the rail and pivots with precision, a testament to months of groundwork and time spent building a deep connection with one another.
“One of the biggest challenges was earning her trust,” Alexis said. “Teaching her showmanship really connected us. Once she looked to me on the ground, she trusted me under saddle. That changed everything.”
Around the barns, Alexis finds herself surrounded by new mentors, borrowed saddles and fellow exhibitors quick to lend a hand.
“The biggest misconception about showing at this level is that it’s cutthroat,” she said. “Really, people here will help you figure it out. All you have to do is ask.”
When the World Show comes to an end, Alexis will return to her EMT shifts, finish her senior year and apply to physician assistant school, but never plans to replace the horse who has made it all possible in this association.
“Oh, she’s never leaving,” Alexis said. “Maybe she’ll be for lease someday. But sell her? Never. She’s my heart horse.”
Dunit The Magnum Way is a 2018 palomino overo mare by Magnum Chic Dream (QH) and out of Dunit The Gunner Way.
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.