2019 Mix Team
A supportive sponsorship team that engages youth exhibitors, all the way to professionals, in promoting a family atmosphere and brand of Stable Mix in their aspirations for reaching new goals. The Mix Team isn’t just for equines, it is a comprehensive group that represents the complete line of feeds Elk Grove Milling, Inc. manufactures. From our farms to yours, we are excited to introduce to you the new brand ambassadors behind The Mix-
Lauren Amour
Hello animal lovers! My name is Lauren Amour, I’m 15, and I’m a barrel racer + pole bender in Brentwood, CA. I am a 4.0 high school student with a busy fulfilling schedule! I have played volleyball for 5 years and counting as well as staying involved and supporting our military! I rodeo and race year long with my main horse A Lady’s Prerogative (Paris). We compete all over the west coast and enjoy staying busy traveling on the road! I trained Paris since I was 11 years old and have had an amazing 6 years with my big mare. She has taught me so much, and I give her all the credit. My whole world revolves around our partnership and strong connection, and I wouldn’t have it any other way:) This year I am striving to compete in bigger rodeos and place higher at huge races! I am also looking forward to adding a new equine athlete to my herd very soon!!
Stable Mix has been in my family’s feeding routine for over 17 years and I cannot say enough about this feed and how it has aided Paris in starting her career as a strong, healthy athlete. I am beyond blessed to have their support this season and hope to take my team to the top for another great year!
Levi Andrews
Hi, my name is Levi Andrews and I am 9 years old. (March 12th). I am from Orland, Ca and I am in the 3rd grade at Lake Elementary School. I started riding horses when I was 2 and started to rodeo when I was 5.
I started riding my horse Chump about 2 years ago. Rodeo is my main focus but other hobbies include 4-H, hunting, fishing, camping, and pretty much anything outdoors.
This year my goals are improve my heeling and breakaway roping along with always trying to better myself as a rider. I am looking forward to represent Stable Mix this year and can’t wait to see what the year holds for us.
Merin Bender
My name is Merin Bender and I am 15 years old. I barrel race and pole bend and I am from Clements, California. I compete in High School Rodeo Association, Triple Seven Barrel Racing Association, Northern California Junior Rodeo Association and actively show lambs for Lodi FFA at the San Joaquin Ag Fest. I have been riding since I was five years old and I started competing in barrel racing, pole bending, and rodeos in 2015.
I currently compete on my 25 year old mare Quarter Horse Star. Since Star is up there in age, Stable Mix Sport Horse Mix and Senior Stable Mix keep Star looking good and moving fantastic. Star’s health is very important and giving her Stable Mix every night does that job perfect.
My project horse T is new to rodeo so getting him ready to be a great all around rodeo horse means he needs the perfect feed for the job. Stable Mix Sport Horse Mix keeps T healthy and ready to train for barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying and roping every day.
Christie Benninghoven
My name is Christie Benninghoven. I started using StableMix products in 2009 for my horses on our five acre mini ranch. As our ranch grew to include poultry, swine, bovine, then caprine so did our feed barn. I now have those handsome grey barrels lining my barn. My kids keep me active in 4H and I am even the project leader for swine in our group. This is our third year with showing hogs and though it is tough, each year gets a little easier. We will start showing breeding goats this year too using Stable Mix for goats. I have had nothing but good results using StableMix for our ranch, in fact I trust it so much I use the feed tag to teach the 4H kids about percentages of ingredients, what they mean, and to determine what is right for you and your animal. We have three hogs this year with different body types. Im excited to see what Stable Mix hog feed will do for each of them. Pictured is me, one of my daughters Olive, and one of this years show hogs "Moto Moto".
Kennedy Bruce
My name is Kennedy Bruce, I am 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. I started riding horses when I was four years old with Candy Brucker. I rode with her until I was 14 and she retired. I got my first barrel horse, Speed, from Rachel Primm on my 14th birthday and we clicked immediately. I currently take riding lessons from Donna Irvin and get a lot of help from Rachel. This year we bought another horse, Tbird, from Donna and she helps me with him a lot. Donna lives very close so she comes over to ride at my house and gives me lessons.
I am the first in my family to ride horses. My dad is an international hunter, my mom takes a big interest in our hobbies. I have one older sister, D’Andrea, and she has two children Hudson & Josi. Everyone in my family is very supportive of me.
My 2018-2019 high school rodeo season I won first place in CHSRA D3 for barrel racing. Another goal I accomplished is qualifying for the 2019 Jr. NFR. I placed 1st on Tbird, which happened to be the first run I had ever made on him. Also, I placed 2nd on the same race to qualify on Speed. At the Lita Scott American Qualifier I placed 2nd and 5th to make the 2020 semi-finals in Texas. I am very proud of my recent accomplishments and am very thankful for all of the help my family and friends give me. I know I would not have received these opportunities without the help of Candy Brucker, for teaching me how to ride; Rachel Primm and Donna Irvin for teaching me how to become a barrel racer.
Macie Fraser
Macie Fraser is a 15 year old resident of Plymouth, CA. She is a freshman at Amador High School, where she is an active member of the Sutter Creek FFA chapter. This is currently Macie’s second year showing beef cattle as a participant of Sutter Creek FFA, Clinton Grange, and California Junior Livestock Association. In 2018, Macie and her steers Ricky Bobby and Bully were quite successful winning Novice Showmanship and 1st in her steer’s weight division at the Amador County Fair and the Cattlemen’s Jackpot Show. Along with showing beef cattle, Macie also raises club lambs, and shows cutting horses. This year Macie is super excited to partner with Elk Grove Milling, as part of their 2019 Mix Team, and plans to have an equally successful year in the show pen with this year’s steer Silver Dollar. You are welcome to follow Macie and Silver Dollar’s adventures by following the hashtags #stablemix, and #MixTeam this year.
Gonzales Family
Xiomara Gonzalez is 9 years old and is a 4th grader at Capay Elementary school in Orland, California. She has been a member of 4-H for the past five years she also has been a Club officer for the last five years. This year she is Club reporter. Her love for animals is so big she can spend hours in the pen with her animals. This year she will be showing market goats, Dairy goats, pygmy goats, as well as a replacement heifer. She's also a part of the American Dairy Goat Association. Xiomara participates in Rodeo and loves to practice with her sister and Dad. Xiomara also does sports. Her favorite is softball. She loves to help others when she grows up she wants to become a teacher or a police officer. One day she would like to make a difference in the world. She is so excited to be apart of the 2019 Stable Mix Team and is looking forward to a great year.
Xitlali Gonzalez is 11 years old and attends Capay Elementary as a 6th grader in Orland, California. Her love for animals started before she could talk. She has been a member of Capay 4-H for the past 6 years. She loves everything about 4-H she has been an officer for the past 6 years. She shows market goats, Dairy goats, pygmy goats and replacement heifers. She is a member of American Dairy goat Association .2018 was a great year for Xitlali, she took first place in Showmanship for pygmy goats she went up to senior Division and took place first place as well. She also got Grand Champion and Reserve Champion in breeding. For her Dairy goats she received first in her age group in Showmanship move up to senior Division and took second she also had a second place in daughter and dam, 6th with her goat kids and 2nd in yearling. Xitlali loves to participate in Rodeo and ropes with her dad as well as practices with him. One day she wants to become a veterinarian. Her other passion is softball she has made the All-Star team two years in a row. Xitlali is also a member of her community she loves to volunteer with anything she can. Xitlali is a role model for her brother and sister and enjoys helping them with what they need. She wishes that this year will be as great as it was last year and is very excited to be a part of the 2019 Stable Mix Team.
Abimeleck Gonzalez (Abi) is 7 years old and is a 2nd grader at Capay Elementary school in Orland, California. Abi has been a member of Capay 4-H for the past 3 years and has been a song leader for the past 2 years for his club. Abi will be showing his pygmy goat named Kid and participating and dummy roping. Abi loves to help his sisters with feeding all of their goats he one day would like to have his own Dairy goats as well as his own market goats and replacement heifers. He is also a member of the American Dairy Goat Association.
Abi participates in rodeos and loves it. Abi has a big caring heart he loves to help others and volunteer when he can. He also does basketball and baseball one day he would like to be a professional baseball player and own his own cattle ranch. He is so excited to represent the 2019 Stable Mix Team.
Erin Henson
I began riding hunter/jumpers when I was 5 in Sacramento. Rode on the A circuit all the way through college till I got pregnant with our first daughter. Took a break from riding to raise our 3 kids (Cara, Emily, and Jax). Moved to Redding and joint the Redding Rodeo Drill Team for a couple years.
Husband bought me a miniature horse for Valentine’s Day several years ago. Started with one and now have 16! I show all over the country and breed miniatures and Shetlands. Ranchland Acres is Home to numerous world and national champion miniatures. We also have a handful of Nigerian Dwarf does who produce beautiful babies that we place in our community each year. We consider ourself a boutique breeder of select bloodline miniature horses and goats.
Check out our Facebook page for updates to our 2019 show string and exciting things happening here at the farm! We have been feeding Stable Mix to every horse and goat here on the property for years now!
Lilly Lizama
My name is Lilly Lizama and I’m a 16 year old junior in high school.
I’ve been riding horses since I can remember.
I am involved in Ranch Sorting, Team Penning, Ranch Cutting, and the National Reined Cow Horse Association. I’ve competed many different places & love everyone of these events.
I absolutely love all horses, especially my 3, Molly, Lou, & Sadie.
JayLynn Lopez
My name is JayLynn Lopez, I am 12 years old. I’m the oldest child, I have twin brothers that are 3 years old. I ride Western Pleasure, and Gaited. I currently show at the El Dorado Schooling Shows.
I decided that 2019 will be a new year for me and I’ll be showing a pig at the Amador County Fair. All independent ☺️ I’m super excited to get my pig, he already has a name “ Taquito “ I felt it was fitting.
I buy all my Stable Mix at my local feed store Mt. Aukum General Store. Any time I can get to ride I’m on it. Any chance I can get to work with livestock I’m there.
Lisa Schaeffer
Hi friends! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lisa Schaeffer, from Wilton, CA. For 30 years, I trained horses and kids for the APHA... and AQHA Circuts in TX, OK, LA, Miss, TN... and competed in NC, Al, Ark, and Georgia. I left the horse industry in 1998, became a massage therapist, and married in 2004.... After 15 years without a horse, I was given a very special vision. I had a dream that came true! This is good news all by itself, but if I may I would like to tell you about this amazing vision.
Sharing The Hope, is all about just that. We began this mission, with Hope, a young miniature horse mare, who had had less then total care. We started Hope, on Stable Mix... she blossomed! We now have two miniature horses named Hope and Valor, who are certified and approved to actually make visits to patients inside the hospital... including Sutter in Sacramento, Kaiser South Sacramento, and Shriner's Children's Hospital of Northern California! Our comfort team includes my husband Ken, myself, and Kelly and Jeff Carl. In addition to the hospital work, we have ministered to shut-ins at Assisted Living resident homes, special needs children classes, and educational opportunities as well.
The impact that these tiny horses have upon the patients, their families, their doctors, the staff that they visit, is beyond description and honestly I don't have words to describe the squeals of delight, the light in their eyes, and the lifting of human Spirits, everywhere we go.
This last month we brought Baby Grace, a one month old, miniature horse, who when weaned, will join the Comfort Team, and hopefully the Stable Mix Team too! She is already eating a foal sized portion of #StableMix, soaked in water.
Proud and happy to be on your team! Sharing The Hope
Jase Selvester
Jase Selvester is a 10 years old active outdoorsy young man. He is a Honor Roll student at Weimar Hills School. After school you can find him playing football, basketball, working with his animals, tinkering in the garage or playing with his little sister.
Jase has dreamed of raising market hogs since he was 5. Last year he was finally old enough to show a market hog at Gold Country Fair in Auburn, Ca. Jase placed second in showmanship and First in his market class. This year he is a treasurer for Placer Hills 4-H and will be showing at Placer County fair in Roseville, Ca as well as Gold Country. Jase’s goal is to get a couple years experience and would like to raise a market hog for California State Fair. He is excited to be a part of the #mixteam and can’t wait to purchase all of his Stable Mix Pig feed from Echo Valley Ranch.
Halle Suttle
My name is Halle Suttle and I have shown livestock through 4-H and FFA for the past seven years. This will be my fifth year showing sheep and third year showing goats. This will also be my third year exhibiting at jackpot shows across the state of California. I began my 4-H livestock experience by showing market turkeys, but found my passion for sheep and goats a few years later. Now, I raise, breed, and show Nigerian Dwarf goats, grade dairy goats, and Boer goats. I also exhibit lambs at jackpot shows, my county fair, and the California State Fair. I currently have three sheep and fifteen goats, with more goat kids on the way. I enjoy showing my livestock and playing an active role in the agriculture industry!
Alicia Swinton
My name is Alicia Swinton and I am a competitive 3 day eventer, jumper and dressage rider located here in Sacramento, CA. I have been working with horses for over 25 years and started a riding school over 10 years ago. Our program has now grown to full service training barn with a competitive and supportive show team. I run the lessons and training program for intermediate to advanced rides, with customized programs for each horse and rider.
Our riding school has grown as well, now with over four instructors for beginners of all levels! We take pride in inspiring riders to reach their full potential and instilling great horsemanship values in each individual.
In addition to competing clients horses, I compete my personal horses Napoleon, and Aeramachi in eventing, jumpers and dressage. All my horse thrive on Stable Mix! From our older lesson horses to our competition horses. It's easy to travel to shows with, palatable and all the horses love it! And we love the benefits! Thank you Stable Mix!
Sacramento Riding School Swinton Eventing Alicia Swinton Equestrian
Chase Templeton
My name is Chase Templeton and I'm 16 years old from Herald, CA. When I was 5 years old I started showing pygmy goats in Herald 4-H. When I turned 9 I switched to Boer goats to show and sell at the county fair. Throughout the years, goats aren't the only animals I've shown. I have shown and trained dogs and last year I sold a rabbit.
I'm a junior at Liberty Ranch and for the past 3 years I've been showing with LR FFA. My other hobbies include Jr. Rodeo and shooting on the G.A.L.T. Shooters Team shooting Trap, Sporting Clays and Skeet. This year I am looking forward to showing a wether at the Sacramento County Fair. I will be feeding the Goat Mix to my market goat and appreciate Stable Mix for picking me to represent them. I'm so excited to see my goat grow, thank you Stable Mix!
Sofie Ten Broek
My name is Sofie ten Broek and I am 18 years old and live in Gilroy, CA. I am a freshman at Gavilan junior college, and plan to further my studies to become an equine veterinarian. I currently volunteer a few days a week with our local equine vet and I am loving the experience. I am very excited to be a part of the Stable Mix Team 2019.
I travel with my horses and family and compete in ACTRA team ropings, local jackpot barrel races and also enjoy my summer Norcal Junior Rodeo Association. I run in poles, barrels, goat tying, team roping, and my favorite event, breakaway roping. I was a 4-year member of the high school rodeo team, District 4 and in my senior year I won the girl’s cutting and became District 4 Girls Cutting Champion.
My goals for this year are to practice hard and show strong with my roping skills in more rodeos and prep to run for the title of Gilroy Rodeo Queen in August.