Built To Last

Imagine, if you will, an expert show mentor who teaches you, challenges you, and above all, stands by you every step of the way.

Would you believe it if we told you this show partner, an equine one at that, is 25 years old, still winning, and her own dam lived to be the age of 32?

We would be talking about Upstanding Covergirl, a 1999 bay mare by Upstanding Zipper and out of Dusty Liza Paul, who just accompanied youth Faith Meyers to the QH Congress with Carson Training Center in her first year of showing AQHA.  And they’re having a great year.

See how they did this year, and more importantly, what Faith says are the keys to “Covergirl’s” longevity:

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Built To Last

By Delores Kuhlwein

Faith Meyers and Upstanding Covergirl, a 1999 bay mare by Upstanding Zipper and out of Dusty Liza Paul, just wrapped up their QH Congress with not only a 15^th overall in Youth Aged Mares, but Faith and “Covergirl’ completed some of their personal bests together at the show.

The pair has been cleaning up since they became a team in June 2023, which was Faith’s first year of AQHA competition.

For example, they also cinched a Top 10 in L2 Aged Mares and Finalist placing in the L3 Aged Mares at the AQHYA World Show (also Faith’s first), and they were crowned reserve champions at the L1 East Championship Show.

They’re impressive feats for any horse, but especially for a 25-year-old one.  Faith, who got her first horse at the age of 12 and did open shows until 2023, says a combination of superb care, great conformation, and good genetics account for this senior horse’s longevity.

“She has been with my trainers for about 15 years, and they have taken great care of her over the years. My trainers play the biggest role with her. They take care of her every day,” Faith explains.

“She also is built very well. Her dam, Dusty Liza Paul, lived to be 35, and her sire, Upstanding Zipper, lived to be 29. Even though she’s 25, she still has so much energy and is spunky and she’s still very feisty. She has no maintenance at all. She just has regular shoes and that’s it. She can do everything all the young horses can do, and she has every button you can imagine.”

When Covergirl came to Carson Training Center, she was only finished in Western Pleasure, so the Carsons trained her in everything else.  “There is nothing that Covergirl can’t do and it’s because of them,” says Faith. “They are wonderful people who will do anything for their clients and horses to give them the best possible chance to succeed, and they truly care for their clients and horses and are always supportive no matter what happens.”

That attribute was fully demonstrated to Faith while preparing for their L1 Youth 14-18 Showmanship. She explains, “We had a lot of early morning and late night practices at home and when we got to the show, they could last anywhere from 15- 20 minutes to an hour or so. My trainer, Tye, worked with us so much and we worked really hard to be able to have the best chance possible.”

Meanwhile, Covergirl, who boasts 184 lifetime points, 241 level 1 points, and four registers of merit in halter, continues to do what she does best – teaching the youth in the Carson Training Center barn.  “She has taught so many kids over the years and has truly made an impact on Carson Training Center over the years,” says Faith.

 

Congratulations to both of you! Thank you for sharing some of your story with our readers.