Larry Volkmar & granddaughter Mikayla create a lifetime of memories with Paints
A lifelong horseman, Larry Volkmar’s eyes sparkle when he talks about his horses. But there’s one thing that makes his eyes light up even more: sharing his love of horses with his grandchildren, including 12-year-old Mikayla, who showed alongside Larry at the 2025 APHA/WCHA Halter Million. After all, why keep the good stuff all to yourself?
“I love spending time with my grandkids. They all have something that they really are passionate about,” the horseman from Highland, Illinois, said. One grandchild is into baseball, one’s a cheerleader and another is a dancer. “Mikayla is passionate about the horses. She’s been riding since she was 3 years old. I’m just thrilled that I have the opportunity [to enjoy that with her], and I’m blessed to be able to bring her to these shows.”
Larry and Mikayla were busy. They brought four horses to the Halter Million, all under the guidance of trainer Chris Arentsen and Anna Horn. The Volkmar herd included RD Solaire, a 2023 chestnut overo gelding; The Art Of Making Do, a 2024 sorrel overo mare; and Flamingcoolsensation, a 2020 sorrel overo mare.
Mikayla the horses in APHA Youth and WCHA classes at the September championship before heading back to school. Larry cheered her on each time.
“We’ve had a great time. She’s a fan of the buckles,” Larry said about Mikayla. “My oldest brother would always say to me, ‘It’d be so much cheaper to just go buy a buckle than to raise a horse.’ I’m sure it wouldn’t be as much fun.”
One of the buckles Mikayla added to her collection this year came in Youth Aged Mares, where she led Flamingcoolsensation to a world championship title. It was Mikayla’s second APHA world title and the sixth for “Tink.”
“[Tink] was born at our house, and we kept her there until she was just under a year old. She’s been with Chris ever since, and she’s a great one,” Larry said. “She has the greatest personality: she’s so gentle and so sweet. My grandkids can mess with her, and that’s important to me.”
A few days after successfully defending her 2024 world championships in Youth and Open Aged Mares, Tink earned a reserve world championship in Amateur Aged Mares with Larry on the lead. Horse showing, Larry says, isn’t really about the buckles and trophies—it’s about the people and memories you make along the way.
“The best part of the APHA and the Halter Million is seeing the people that you’ve shown with in previous years and watching new people win. It is such a thrill for a kid that’s never won a World Show to walk out of that arena with a buckle,” he said. “It’s one big family—people kind of look out for each other. There’s a real familial attitude and demeanor outside of the show ring. It’s easy to become close to those people you’re showing against. If you’re like me, the worst part is when you have to pack up and leave.”
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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.