Samantha Swank from Derry PA will be riding TC the Sweetest Fame AKA Sweets they qualified at The Good Evening Ranch Arena in West Virginia for the
2025 Best of the Best!
What I love most about my horse is, I love the heart and try Sweets has most! She always gives her all and is honest as can be! Not only that but she makes my job so fun. She is the one I can count on no matter what. Outside of the ring Sweets has a big loving, goofy personality that fits her perfectly!
How many times have you qualified for the Best of the Best? I have qualified multiple times starting in my pee wee years. Some of the horses that have helped me accomplish this have been “Whiskey” my pee wee horse, “Creepin with a Gun” aka Faith in pee wee and youth, “JD Firewater Redneck” aka Corona a horse I trained on my own, “Shez Freakn Streakn” aka fling in the youth, “TC the Sweetest Fame” aka sweets my current horse, and a friends horse in poles named “Gracie”.
Tell us what you love about your farm or boarding days with your horses, We own our own barn (KDS Performance Horses) which I love because I can ride whenever I want. In the summer I especially love to trail ride right off the property and riding when it’s starting to get dark is always nice as it starts to cool down. I love being able to go outside and see all my babies and horses outside in the pastures!
What is your biggest win as a rider?I think my biggest win would either be running a 19.8 on Corona and getting a reserve champion title at the All American Quarter Horse Congress or winning the 1D at the NBHA youth and teen world show pole slot race 2 years in a row on 2 separate horses, Faith and Corona! I especially love these because I trained Corona on my own!
Who is the person who made you the rider you are today? My mom made me the rider I am today! She worked a lot on balance which is very important in barrel racing as you never know when you loose a stirrup or when a saddle comes loose! I remember I had to jump a 2’6 jump course in an English saddle with no girth and neck rope on faith to test my balance! My mom had always supported my habits and has done everything she can for me to be able to compete at this level with some amazing people!
Is there anything else you would like to add? I wish everyone goodluck not only at the BOTB but also this whole year and I hope you all can achieve all of your goals you set for yourselves this year!
On the Road with Dawn and Clea 