Aimee Schulz — a 2015 Becker graduate —and her mini-horse, Lulu, were inducted into the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Equus Foundation Horse Stars Hall of Fame in February.

 

The induction took place at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Lulu and Schulz received an engraved stall plaque with Lulu’s name on it and the Horse Stars Hall of Fame placard blazoned across the memento.

 

“Receiving this award is an incredible honor and I'm still trying to process the fact that this happened,” said Schulz.

 

Schulz said that seven years ago, Lulu was a very traumatized and scared miniature horse who was just learning how to trust. 

 

“It absolutely blows me away when I consider how far she's come,” she said.

 

Lulu's registered name is Skip To My Lulu and Schulz also has a Quarter Horse named  Bart. His registered name is As Good As You've Had and she has been showing Bart for 10 years. 

 

Just this past weekend, Aimee, 19, was training in Illinois for the IHSA Semi-Finals where she is competing for Iowa State's Equestrian Team. She is a student at Iowa State studying genetics.

 

“I was the champion in my division, which will send me off to Nationals this May,” she said of her IHSA training. “Iowa State hasn't had a rider qualify for Nationals in a while, so we are all very excited.” 

 

Schulz says she has been riding and showing horses since before she could walk and some of her earliest memories consist of horses. 

 

“Especially in the summer, my entire day is dedicated to working with and showing my horses as well as helping other youth improve with their own horses,” she said. 

 

Schulz and she and her horses have received many awards over the years including the most recent 2016 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Semi-Finals Championship  and the 2016 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Regional Championship in Illinois. She also has won the 2014 American Miniature Horse Registry National Champion Youth 13-17, Hunter and Jumper categories. 

 

She and her horse were also the 2014 Minnesota 4-H Dan Patch Award Recipient, the 2014 Minnesota State 4-H Horse Show High Point Senior Pleasure, the 2014 Western Saddle Club Association Championship Show High Point Pleasure Rider, the 2013 Western Saddle Club Association Championship Show High Point Pleasure Rider, the 2013 American Quarter Horse Association Novice Championships Bronze Champion and 2x Class Finalist and the Minnesota State 4-H Horse Show Trip Earner 2008-2015.

 

But of course, one of Aimee’s proudest moments is the awards she’s received with Lulu. Her miniature was an unwanted, one-eyed rescue who was found in a half-collapsed, metal building in 2008. Aimee — who was 11 years old at the time — took the horse home and nurtured the horse as only horse and animal lovers would understand. 

 

“Lulu is the true poster child for rescued horses as well as a breed ambassador for the versatility of the miniature horse,” she said. “We haven’t looked back and she has really come to embody all that the miniature horse is known for. She acts as a wonderful breed ambassador as a lesson horse, therapy horse, show horse and as my best friend.

 

When the Equus Foundation received Lulu’s application and they saw the accomplishments the little horse had in competitions and the horse’s humanitarian accomplishments in the horse industry. They knew right away that Lulu was the whole package and she was exactly what they wanted represented in the hall of fame.

 

As Aimee continues her education in Iowa, this summer will be the first time in a very long time she will be unable to be home in Becker, working with her animals every day.

 

“I will be staying in Ames to work with my research lab both in the field and in the lab,” she said. 

 

But that doesn’t mean her prized mini won’t receive the love and care she deserves and needs.

 

“Lulu will be staying in Ames as well,” Aimee said. “So I will be able to work with her and continue to show her throughout the summer while continuing to do research.”

 

Aimee says over breaks during the school year, she spends half her time back in Becker (to see family) and the other half in Ames (where Lulu is) since she doesn’t want to leave her “best friend” for an extended period of time. 

 

Schulz has accomplished an awful lot in her short, 19 years and her future is extremely bright. She graduated from Becker with honors and will most likely go on to higher education after Iowa State, pursuing her PHd in genetics.

 

“In 10-15 years, I see myself as a pioneer in my field who is helping change the world for the better,” she says. “Whether it is through helping breed genetically superior crops or figuring out genetic diseases in animals, I know that I will be making a difference and will be wherever God is leading me.”

 

Aimee is the daughter of Mike and Jackie Schulz of Becker.