Meet Halle Berquist: A Passionate Equestrian
Centennial's fifth grader, soon to be sixth, Halle Berquist leads a fascinating lifestyle anchored in the world of horses. Her family is deeply involved with seven horses, which they care for, train, and provide for. While Halle can name all of her family’s horses, she has a special bond with one in particular: Diamond. This gelding is her partner in competition, and together they excel in barrel racing. Diamond, a quarter horse standing 14 to 15 hands tall, was born to run, and Halle has been honing her barrel racing skills since she was just six years old. Now, at the age of eleven, she is determined to compete, with dreams of someday breaking the world record of 16.399 seconds in the standard barrel racing pattern, set by Evelino Rocha in Brazil in 2017.
Halle actively participates in the LC Saddle Club and is involved in District 3, where she has competed in the Asotin County Junior Rodeo and the SIRA 49ers events in her local area. She and her family diligently care for their horses, providing supplements and grain, as well as brushing and mucking out their stalls. Halle's parents, both experienced horsemen—her father being a team roper and her mother a horse trainer—have instilled these valuable skills in her.
Managing seven horses is no small feat, but Halle cherishes every moment. She aspires to continue her journey in the equestrian world, perhaps attending a college with a rodeo program, like Montana State University. Among her goals are qualifying for the Junior National Finals Rodeo (JR NFR) and barrel racing at the Lewiston Roundup. Halle's horses are named Diamond, Chick, Commit, Trip, June Bug, Hooker, and Maggie. She is pictured here with her beloved Diamond.