Belle

Belle Owen, a 14 year old freshman at Ridgeway Academy, was named Miss Central Kentucky's Outstanding Teen 2010 on September 26, 2009 at the Historic State Theater Complex. Belle was selected by a panel of five judges from a field of six contestants. She played "Eighteenth Variation from Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" by Sergei Rachmaninoff on the piano and her platform is Stir-N-Up Hope: Promoting Wellness through Equine Therapy. Belle will compete for Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen, June 11 - 13, 2010 at the Center for Rural Developmement, Somerset, KY.

Belle, from Paducha, Kentucky, plans to pursue a PhD in oral surgery from the University of Louisville and to eventually open her own pratice as an oral surgeon. She is a high honor roll student with a 99.9 grande average and is in the Duke Talent Identification Program. Belle was fifth grade class president and seventh grade student council secretary. In 2009 she received a Peoples Choice Award for American Saddlebred Association, People to People. Belle is a seven time Equestrian World Champion; was American Coed Pre-Teen Queen 2008; she was also American Coed and National American Miss talent winner in 2008.

Belle is a Hurricane Katrina evacuee; she is a seven time World Champion in Saddle Seat Equitation and she attends a completely on-line school.

Kentucky is known for it's fast horses and beautiful women. Belle, none the less, realizes title holders are more than just a pretty face. They are strong, intelligent, role modes for today's youth. As Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen, Belle will promote her platform and bring Equine Therapy into the forefront to benefit those in need. Equine therapy is the discipline of using horses as a means to provide emotional growth and physical wellness to children and adults alike. Medical research show students who participate in therapeutic riding can gain physical, emotional, and mental rewards such as increased flexibility, balance, and muscle strength, as well as increased self-confidence, patience, and self-esteem.

Belle has worked in the field of equine therapy at Stir-N-Hope for the past few summers. She has witnessed, first hand, it's power of aiding in healing for both children and adults. On one occasion, last year, she witnessed what she considers a miracle. As Belle saw a new name on the lesson board of the barn, she was excited about getting a new student. He came in petrified, not only of horses, but trying new things in general. As the weeks went by with two lessons a week, she really began to bond with him. His love of horses and riding became more and more passionate. She saw his improvement week by week, not only in his riding skills,but in his overall personality. At the end of the summer's annual "fun" show where friends and family come and watch the kids, there was no one at his side. Slowly, but surely, he stood up with the horse trotting around the ring. From this experience along with may similar ones, Belle has seen equine therapy greatly improve peoples live and she wants to share it's benefits with others.

Belle realizes many people do not have access to equine therapy because of adequate funding to provide for essential services and promote an awareness program. As Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen. she will work with the media throughout the Commonwealth to increase awareness of the many health benefits of equine therapy, the locations around the state which provides it's services and to increase funding to benefit those in need of assistance in providing the servuces. She will show Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen is the type of young woman the pageant sponsors can not only be proud to be associated with, but look to for promoting their businesses and community.

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