Breeder gives teen horse to 'pay it forward'

A Chandler teen won an Arabian horse from a Mesa horse-breeding couple when they decided to "pay forward" their good fortune after receiving a new car.

Duane and Hertha Chellevold, who have been breeding Arabians for 30 years, decided to sponsor a contest for young people after a relative gave them a new Chrysler minivan. The windfall made them decide to pass the good deed along.

Lexie Micio, 13, won the 7-month-old purebred Arabian chestnut colt named Boot in early June.

Lexie has been riding for seven years and intends to ride and show Boot in English dressage. Lexie said she inherited her love of Arabians from her mom, who grew up in Saudi Arabia.

"I can't believe we won, he is a gorgeous animal." said Marisa Micio, Lexie's mother. "I was in tears the whole day. This is something my daughter and I can do together."

Lexie entered the contest after she saw it advertised in The Arizona Republic classifieds. In order to enter, applicants had to submit a paragraph explaining why they wanted an Arabian and how they would care for it.

Hertha Chellevold said they were inundated with entries. "Everyone deserved a horse."

There were so many excellent entries the Chellevolds decided to give two runners-up an Arabian as well.

Hertha said Lexie was chosen for a combination of reasons. She said it was obvious Lexie should win because she and her mom visited Boot twice and she could tell they were really attached to him. One thing that impressed the couple was when Marisa told her that if Lexie won her family would also "pay it forward" with a good deed of their own. The Micio family is still deciding the best way to fulfill that commitment.

Duane and Hertha said they will consider offering the contest again next year if they have a suitable foal.

"It was marvelously heartening to do this," she said.

Lexie Micio,13, of Chandler won a purebred Arabian horse named Boot from a Mesa breeder.