Hello,
I am Lily Schlangen and I am the NMAHA Jr. Queen this year. I have been a member of NMAHA for 6 years and been doing royalty each year since I joined.
I am 16 years old and I have been going to Reflection Farm where I have taken lessons for 9 years. I have been working as an apprentice for the past few years there. My horse‘s registered name is RF Pitch Perfect. She is mainly a trail and leisure riding horse, but I do some in-hand classes at the Litchfield show. I have also shown RF Epic and have received the Overall Junior Highpoint Award for the NMAHA Ambassador program, as well as the Hands & Hooves program. I compete in the Arabians Unplugged circuit, where I have received several Top 5 Awards for several years.
I love doing hands-on projects as well as reading and writing. My favorite subject in school is English. In fact, I am planning on going to college for a teaching degree in English for high school or becoming a college professor. My life pretty-much revolves around horses, dance and school. I make some time for friends and family too, but mainly hang out with my friends in school or in sports and activities from school, and family on weekends and holidays.
I also a dancer for Just For Kicks through Paynesville, and I do four classes within that.
I greatly look forward to this coming year as the Northern Minnesota Arabian Horse Association Jr. Queen, as well as my future with NMAHA.
Lily Schlangen
2024 NMAHA Jr. Queen
Greetings,
I am honored to represent NMAHA in 2024 as Queen. I have been member of the Arabian Horse Association for over three decades and a dedicated member of NMAHA for a decade. I wear many hats and take on many responsibilities. I have served on the NMAHA board, been an officer by being Secretary for several years. I assist with the newsletter compilation and the club’s advertising needs.
In 2014, I implemented and have maintained the royalty program for NMAHA. Being involved in a Royalty program is something that is near and dear to my heart. I had the honor of representing the MN Pinto Horse Association in 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2007 as their Queen, as well as competing for Miss Pinto of America in 2001.
Giving back to our youth is something that I feel is important and needed. I have been involved with the Meeker County 4-H with clinics, open ride nights and giving pointers when asked. I have been the official judge for Region II FFA Horse Judging contest, where I’ve been able to discuss my placings with several advisors and provide reasons for my placings to the students.
Garnering show sponsorships is something I don’t take lightly, which is why I work diligently to do so, as they are imperative to NMAHA’s OEIP/WSCA show. I also serve on the show committee. In addition to my involvement organizing the June show, I have been an exhibitor for many years with a variety of equines.
I am the NMAHA representative for the Arabians Unplugged circuit that rewards amateurs and youth showing in non-rated Arabian shows, where I sit on the steering committee and help with presenting the awards at the banquet.
Breeding, raising, and training Arabians and Part-Arabians on our farm, Reflection Farm, has been a lifelong business that I have had the pleasure of being a part of, thanks to my mother, Jean Liestman. We stand several stallions at stud and dedicate our lives to ensuring the needs of the horses we care for are met, as well as their owner's. I have shown both Arabians and Part-Arabians to local, state, national and world titles. One of the top highlights of my horse career, was when RF RAMBO, a Part-Arabian Pinto stallion, who I grew up alongside, showed and loved was inducted into the Pinto Horse Association of America Equine Hall of Fame. This was such an honor and an emotional time receiving this award in Tulsa, OK. It was a moment of a lifetime that I will forever cherish. My first Purebred Arabian was a grey gelding, Marwan+, who I had the joy of riding at the young age of three. The world needs more horses like him to take care of and protect youth riders.
I am not shy when it comes to volunteering and sharing my love of the Arabian horse. When time allows, I promote Arabians/Half-Arabians by attending WSCA Open shows, which allows me to be an ambassador for our association and as a perk, be active in the NMAHA Ambassador Program. In 2016 and 2023, I received the NMAHA President’s Award and I received the AHA Club Level Volunteer Award, also in 2023. I try to provided many of my riding lesson students a way to love and appreciate the Arabian horse and several have gone on to participate in shows through my guidance and encouragement.
Community involvement helps to stay connected to those around you. Being active in both Cornerstone Church and Salem Historical Church is very rewarding for me. I am also involved in the Litchfield community through Danner, Brekke & Everts Financial and Insurance Solutions, where I have been the Office Manager for nearly 10 years. In recent years, our agency has expanded into Equine Insurance. At DBE, we partake in many Chamber of Commerce events. Other community involvement has been through Reflection Farm. I have been part of the Adopt-A-Highway program since 1993. Throughout the years Reflection Farm has also opened our doors for many summer and holiday events and we always welcome visitors.
Outside of the horse world, I enjoy graphic design, craft projects, photography, Ford trucks and outdoor activities, which include but are not limited to: gardening, landscaping, fishing, trail riding, and witnessing God’s glorious sunrises and sunsets.
I hope to see many of you at different functions and events in 2024!
Jaime Liestman
2024 NMAHA Queen
