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Highlighting Tabitha Bell, the 2017 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award Winner


Tabitha Bell was awarded 2017 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award during the US Equestrian Annual Meeting in Lexington, Ky. in January. This award recognizes outstanding youth members for their achievements and identifies potential future leaders in the equine industry. Bell is actively involved in the Arabian Horse Youth Association (AHYA) as the AHYA Treasurer and active participant in Region 7.

Courtesy of US Equestrian: Bell (Sandy, Utah) has been riding since she was a mere five years old, and she has deep roots in the Arabian horse world. She owned her first horse by the time she was eight, competing QR Irish Kouream in walk/trot hunter pleasure and hunter equitation classes.

In 2010, Bell was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. However, she did not let the diagnosis prevent her from riding and competing. She would go on to win numerous hunter pleasure regional titles and multiple top ten honors. Later transitioning to Western pleasure, Bell earned national championships as a junior rider with her beloved Half-Arabian mare IMA Rockin Popstar and her purebred Arabian gelding WR Amazing Tradition.

Outside of her involvement with horses, Bell has a passion for community service. Inspired by her ability to be more mobile with the help of her specially trained service dog, Sunny, Bell wanted to help her community. She established a non-profit foundation, Pawsitive Pawsibilities, to bring the gift of canine companionship to children and young adults with disabilities. Over the past four years, Bell has raised over $70,000 and placed five service dogs with human partners.

Bell has held leadership positions as the Vice President of Troubadours, the specialty choir at her school, and currently serves as Treasurer on the AHYA Board of Directors. She is active in fundraising and recently started volunteering at her local chapter of Make A Wish®. Bell plans to pursue an undergraduate degree in chemistry and then complete her PhD in pharmacology.

Due to this great achievement, a video was created to congratulate Bell. Watch this wonderful video tribute congratulating the outstanding AHYA member – Tabitha Bell – on her achievement.

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