AjPHA September Member Spotlight

Name: Tessy Rupert
Age: 12
Grade: 7
School: Three Hills School
Hometown: Three Hills AB Canada

Club (if involved in one): Alberta Paint Horse Club, Three Hills 4-H Wranglers

Favorite Activities (outside of horses): Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, Knee boarding, Skiing

 Favorite song and movie: Song: You can let go now daddy- Crystal Shawanda. Movie: Secretariat.

 Horses Name: Zips Angel (Aka- Angel) and Flow Ryder (Aka- Julian)

What do you do with your horse?
I take Angel to the paint horse shows in Alberta and Saskatchewan. I am also in 4-H and she is my project horse. Julian is my new horse that I am going to be using next year for the shows and 4-H. He is only 2. I take Angel down to the coulee with the rest of my family and their horses to check the cows or just for a trail ride.

What are your favorite events/activities with your horse?
With Angel I do western pleasure and horsemanship, english pleasure and equitation, showmanship, and halter. Occasionally, I go in speed events even though she isn’t very good at them. Every single class that I go in is my favorite so I don’t know what is at the top of my list.

What do you like most about paint horses?
Everything about them. The colors, patterns, temperament, and of course the show where you meet new people every time. I also like how the wash rack is almost a home away from home but I guess it is fun when washing your horse with everyone else.

What do you like most about AjPHA?
The get togethers where you meet new people. You can also spend time with your horse at the shows. I like all of the things that AjPHA offer and how many people are included in everything that they do. It gives you a chance to look at all of the articles in the Paint Horse Journal to see what is going on in the AjPHA world.

What has owning a horse taught you?
To respect the fact that if you don’t spend enough time with your horse, they won’t trust you. Also the responsibilities like feeding and cleaning out stalls, along with grooming and keeping them looking sharp.

What would you say to someone who might be interested in owning a paint horse?
That paint horses are a ‘one of a kind animal’ and there is ‘nothing like them.’ They are flashy and stand out from the rest of the breeds with their white spots. If you have a paint horse that is registered you can come and join all the rest of us at the shows.

What would you say to someone that is thinking about starting to compete in APHA shows?
Come and join us and have a great time. You have nothing to lose and you will have the time of your life. It is exciting and fun with new people to meet when you come. When you start to do good, you never know, you might be able to participate in the Youth World Games in Texas which has always been my biggest dream. So come on down to the paint horse shows.