Rogers and Rodeback Dominate Novice Youth Hunter Under Saddle at 2015 AjPHA World

By: Brittany Bevis

The first two classes of Hunt Seat day are in the books here in Fort Worth, Texas at the 2015 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show. First, Jordin Rodeback rode CNC Hez High Profilin to a win in Novice Youth Hunter Under Saddle 14-18. She was followed in Reserve by doppelgänger Pour Me A Cuervo with Veronica John in the irons. Rounding out the top three in the class was Abigail Merschman aboard Kewl Zippin Strider.

In the Novice Youth 13 and Under Hunter Under Saddle, 11-year-old Alexa Rogers won her first World Championship title in the novice youth division. A former walk-trot World Champion, this is Alexa’s first year competing in regular youth classes.

“I like it because you get to go faster!” Rogers says. “Also, you get to do more things with your horse than just walking and trotting.”

Rogers’ partner for the class today was her seven-year-old gelding, Gotta Be Sensational, aka “Joey.” Later on this afternoon, Rogers and Joey will compete in Novice Youth Equitation, and they have Novice Youth Showmanship on Wednesday. She will also be showing her western horse, Shez Eye Candy, aka “Fran,” in Novice Youth Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, and Trail.

Rogers also has plans to watch her big sister Drew Rogers compete with her horse, Ill Be Sensational, aka “Milo” in 14-18 all-around events.

“I like showing with my sister,” Rogers says. “Sometimes she gives me advice. Like when I ride Fran, she says I have to keep my leg on her or she might break to a trot.”

Before she entered the pen this morning, Rogers’ horse trainer, Ryan Painter, also gave her some helpful advice.

“Ryan is a good trainer, because he gives me advice about how to go in and show,” she says. “He told me to always keep my leg on Joey so he didn’t break and to pull the left rein when I go to the right and he will slow down.”

“I like that Joey is bouncy when I ride him, and he has a different personality than most horses do. He’s just different than other horses.”

Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com for results, interviews, and photos from the remaining Hunter Under Saddle and Equitation classes that will take place today here in Fort Worth.

Novice Youth 13 and Under Hunter Under Saddle:

1- Gotta Be Sensational/Alexa Rogers
2- Ultimate Showoff/Megan Williams
3- Mr Cool Zippo/Raygan Follis
4- Yours Truly Odyssey/Lillian Woodruff
5- Simply Red Dee/Avery Rees

Novice Youth Hunter Under Saddle 14-18:

1- CNC Hez High Profilin/Jordin Rodeback
2- Pour Me A Cuervo/Veronica John
3- Kewl Zippin Strider/Abigail Merschman
4- Too Much Blush/Hannah Connolly
5- Hesa Texas Hobo/Kirsten Pfab