Meet 5-Year-Old Piper Love, One of the Youngest AjPHA Youth World Competitors
Piper and Taco
By: Brittany Bevis
We felt it would be a great oversight if we didn’t take a few minutes to do a mini-interview with the mini-equestrian who’s become a crowd favorite here at the 2014 AjPHA Youth World Show, Piper Love of Forney, Texas. She may not be able to tie her shoes (that well), but it doesn’t matter because this cowgirl wears boots!
At five years of age, Piper is one of the youngest competitors showing at the Youth World Show, unassisted. While most kids her age are still playing in the sandbox, Piper can knock out a tough showmanship pattern with incredible precision and demanding presence. Yesterday, she led her horse, Who Painted Me, in Walk-Trot Showmanship.
For your reading enjoyment, here is five in five with the precocious Piper.
Go, Piper, Go!
How long have you been showing horses? “For 16 years.”
What is your horse’s name?– “Taco”
What does Taco like to do? “He likes treats, he likes laying down, and he likes baths.”
Were you scared to go in the showmanship with all the big kids?– “No”
Not even a little bit? “Nah”
Do you ever get nervous? “Never”
Who are your horse trainers? “Chad and Shane [Christensen]”
Did they tell you anything yesterday before you went in the class? “They told me good job.”
Do you have a hard time remembering your pattern? “Yes, I forget my pattern when it ends.”
Tell us how you did at the Pinto World Show– “I did really good. I got fifth, and I got a frisbee.”
What are your favorite things to do besides ride horses? “Trot on horses and practice and I like to reverse them. I’m ticklish, and I have a horse named Ruby.”
What’s your favorite class? “I like trail because it’s fun. It’s like an obstacle course.”
We’re certain we will be seeing much more of the adorable Piper in the future.
