As a U.S. Navy veteran, Katelynn Lyden of Rushville, Indiana, knows about setting goals and seeing them through to fruition. She’s applied the same tenacity to her horse-showing life and is excited to make her debut at the 2026 APHA Eastern National Championship Show, which took place August 20–23 in Wilmington, Ohio.
“This show is special because it represents how far we’ve come together as a team,” she said. “All the hours of practice, all the driving and the miles, and every challenge that’s led us here. This will be the highest level show we’ve attended. I’m excited to compete alongside my horse and make memories, regardless of the results.”
Katelynn’s partner is BDF Strait Up Class, a 2024 bay tobiano mare by Cats Smoken Strait and out of JGR A Tru Classy Lady. She bought the mare as a yearling from breeder Jessica Gratz of Readstown, Wisconsin. The floppy-lipped “Trudy” has a huge personality that makes Katelynn smile.
Capable of Anything
Their journey to Eastern Nationals has been built on dedication, patience and perseverance, Katelynn says. They’re competing in tobiano color, Amateur 2-Year-Old In-Hand Trail and Amateur 2-Year-Old Longe Line.
“I drive one-and-a-half hours to my trainer’s multiple times a week to work with [Trudy], all while still raising a family and working a full-time job,” she said. “It’s shown that I’m capable of anything.”
Proving that level of capability and commitment to herself—and others, like the youth she helps mentor from the Rush County 4-H Horse and Pony Club—is invaluable.
“I want to be able to show the kids from my 4-H group that, even as an adult, things can be scary and you can still go out there and do it,” Katelynn said. “I’m motivated by the opportunity to challenge myself and continue growing with my horse. Every show teaches us something new.”
Photo by Amy Olson
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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.