OklahomaHorses Magazine March 2022

8 OklahomaHorses • March/April 2022 Born To Ride 13-Year-Old Is a Natural with Horses by Leigh Ann Matthews W e all have that “horse thing” or we wouldn’t be wrapped up in the world of horses. Are we born with it? Most of us would say yes. Some people are blessed with even more — they have that knack with horses or that ability to communicate with them more than the rest of us do. Sophie Duch of Stilwell most definitely was born with a lot of “it” and was born to ride. “As soon as she was barely able to sit up, she wanted to sit on a horse with Paw and ride,” explained Sophie’s mother, Shawna Duch. “She got a little pony for her first birthday, and that’s where it all started. Sophie Duch and Darbie excel at trick riding. Photograph by 870Sports Photography.