We Ride Sport and Trail Magazine February 2017 | Page 40

local Las Vegas horse trainer, who taught her all the fundamentals of horses and riding. Victoria worked with Sammi to train her first horse Jazzy, in barrels, poles, and other gymkhana events. In 2008, Sammi, joined CMSA and the Sin City Mounted shooters. As a Wrangler, she won the 2010 CMSA Desert Classic, the 2010 Nevada State Championship, the 2011 CMSA Western Championship, and placed 2nd in the 2010 CMSA World Championship. Wranglers in the sport of Mounted Shooting, focus on navigating the courses, smoothly and correctly, while pointing an unloaded or replica single action 45LC revolver at 10 balloon targets positioned along the course of fire. They then dismount and ground shoot 10 targets with live blank ammo under adult supervision.

The sport changed for Sammi after her 12th birthday when she moved into the adult division, as she explains “the real fun and challenge began when I could start riding and shooting as a Ladies One.” Around the same time, she met world champion mounted shooter, Kenda Lenseigne who is a long standing member of ACMSA and CMSA, and who took Sammi under her wing, teaching her the basics as well as the all-important mental aspect of the sport. Years later, Sammi still remembers her “LAFF” principle, and uses it every time she competes, Lock, Aim, Fire, Follow-Through.

Three years ago, the Ostrovskys met another well known and nationally recognized ACMSA mounted shooter, Tony Romano, and his wonderful family. Tony started working with Sammi on advancing her techniques and patterns, but always keeping it calm

keeping it calm and simple to help offset her competitive nature. Last year, her enthusiasm peaked as she saved up enough money to purchase her new young Mounted Shooting Partner, Ace, AQHA Tuckers Bootlegger. All of Sammi’s hard work and training paid off when she won her class in the 2014 & 2015 Nevada State Championships, along with moving up to the intermediate CMSA class as a Ladies Two. She owes that big achievement to Tony and her partner Ace. But Sammi has another partner for whom she continuously protects, supports, and cheers.

Sammi and Mitchy with their father Joel at an earlier time

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They helped him thrive, and opened up a whole new world for him. You would never know Mitch as special needs if you saw him ride. Horseback riding came naturally to him.

Mitchy began training with Victoria Necas in 2002, together with sister Sammi, sharing the family horse, Midnight Jazz, a.k.a., Jazzy. After a short time, he began competing in barrel racing, pole bending, and other gymkhana events, collecting many buckles and ribbons. In 2005, Mitchell demonstrated how talented and determined he was by riding his first barrel pattern without assistance or lead line. Wild cheers from the spectators shook the facility and there was not a dry eye in the house!

and simple to help offset her competitive nature. Last year, her enthusiasm peaked as she saved up enough money to purchase her new young Mounted Shooting Partner, Ace, AQHA Tuckers Bootlegger. All of Sammi’s hard work and training paid off when she won her class in the 2014 & 2015 Nevada State Championships, along with moving up to the intermediate CMSA class as a Ladies Two. She owes that big achievement to Tony and her partner Ace. But Sammi has another partner for whom she continuously protects, supports, and cheers.

Samantha’s older 19 year old brother, Mitchell, (Mitchy, aka Indiana Jones) Ostrovsky, is not one of many words, but is one of a big heart. As a toddler, Mitchy was diagnosed with autism. Although he cannot speak, he hears, understands, and is adept in sign language. He recently graduated from Sierra Vista High School, enjoys riding skateboards, has worked at Goodwill, disassembling computers, and continues to surprise his family and friends with his many accomplishments. At the age of 5, and at the recommendation of a close family friend, his mother & father, Julie & Joel, introduced Mitch to horses at a local Las Vegas Gymkhana event. Unbeknownst to Joel and Julie, this event would change their lives, the lives of their children, and their bank account, forever. Six months later, the family purchased their first horse, a 15-hand brown bay with a friendly disposition. Horses seemed to free Mitchy from the bonds of Autism. They helped him thrive, and opened up a whole new world for him. You would never know Mitch as special needs if you saw him ride. Horseback riding came naturally to him.