Milda Minter - Awardee 2000

Milda grew up in Gastonia, NC, as an only child with horse-crazy parents. Although her parents had each been unable to have horses as kids, they had purchased horses after getting married and horses were a big part of their lives when Milda was born. When Milda showed the love of horses as well, her parents bought her ponies, and they rode together as a family for many years, being involved in the local 4-H and open show circuits. As a teenager Milda rode a Morgan mare and became involved in the Saddlebred show circuit, competing in the Carolinas and at the "big shows" such as the Lexington Jr. League and Ky State Fair (World Championship Show). Milda was able to show her own horses in equitation and pleasure competition and also served as a catch rider for many other horses and show ponies in juvenile and ladies three- and five-gaited divisions.

Milda attended NC State University with intentions of going on to vet school. She majored in animal science and joined Alpha Zeta agricultural fraternity. She also competed on the smallbore rifle team, serving as team captain her junior year and winning the ACC smallbore championship in her sophomore and junior years. While at NC State, Milda met Charlie, her future husband, whose family was instrumental in bringing the first Paso Finos into North Carolina in the 1970's. Milda's plans for vet school changed and her dream of becoming a horse trainer was realized when she and Charlie graduated with Animal Science degrees in December of 1982 and in January of 1983 moved to California to start their careers with Paso Finos. They lived in California for 12 years, then in Texas for 1-1/2 years, before returning home to North Carolina in 1996. They now own and operate Heritage Farm in Lexington, NC, dedicated to training, showing, breeding, sales, and promotion of Paso Fino Horses plus the education of their owners. Milda and Charlie have 3 daughters, Shannon, Christina, and Morgan. Shannon and Christina have both shown successfully and Morgan appears to be following their interest as well.

Throughout the years Milda has felt fortunate to have trained and shown Paso Finos who have competed successfully in all divisions on both regional and national levels. She also feels fortunate to have helped many amateurs learn to ride and show properly. Milda feels strongly that all horses, from the quietest trail horse to the fanciest show horse, deserve the best possible training and that there is a special purpose and a perfect owner for every horse, no matter what the talent level may be. At 23 Milda was honored to receive the Trainer of the Year Award in at the 2000 Nationals where she was riding and showing while 6 months pregnant with Morgan.