Youth Profile – Alexandra Rippeon and Itzonly Make Believe
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258 – March/April, 2022
By Susan Winslow
Twelve-year-old Alexandra (Allie) Rippeon has had quite a year. The daughter of Deanna and Michael Rippeon is a well-spoken, home-schooled youngster who, like most horse girls, loves snuggling her horse and riding with friends. She also enjoys hanging out in the barn and helping care for horses at the family’s Sunset Ridge Farm in Mt. Airy, Maryland. But this young horsewoman is also a gifted competitor who capped a successful 2021 show season with a record-setting Congress. Competing on four-year old, Itzonly Make Believe, aka “Molly,” a horse she had purchased only two months before, Allie had a spectacular showing at the event, winning four AQHA, four NSBA, and four Championship titles, as well as four All-Around titles in different divisions.
Allie practically needed a separate trailer to bring home all of her winnings from Columbus, Ohio when she won the 11 and Under Youth Horsemanship, 11 & Under Youth Showmanship, Reserve 11 & Under Equitation, Level 1 13 & Under Equitation, Level 1 13 & Under Horsemanship, Level 1 12 & Under All Around, 11 & Under Youth All-Around, Level 1 Youth All Age All-Around, and Youth All-Around. Her winnings included four jackets, four buckles, three saddles, and a host of magnificent bronze trophies. Allie is modest about her success, saying, “Everything happened so fast at the Congress. I was just so happy that my whole family was there for it. Winning four championships… it was just crazy. I won two and thought that it was insane. When I won four, I wondered if it was really happening. When I won the All-Around Youth, I looked at the score, and I thought maybe it was a mistake! Then, I heard my sister screaming in the stands, and it felt like it all came together. When I won Showmanship and Horsemanship in the same day, it felt so fast. I’ve read about people winning two championships, but winning four is such a big number. It felt unreal. I was so proud of Molly and grateful to my trainers for all their help.”
Her mother, Deanna Rippeon, recalls the event. “It really was amazing that everything fell into place for us to all be there at the Congress for that. My husband, Michael, and my son, Jackson (16) show cattle, so they’re often on the road, and Allie’s sister, Maddie (14) competes with her horse, Romeo, so we’re usually all going in different directions. It just worked out that the whole family was there for the Congress, and I’m so glad. It was really special.”
Allie’s strong showing at the Congress followed an equally impressive outing at the NSBA World Show where she won three World Championships in addition to Reserve Championships and top ten awards in Hunt Seat Equitation, Showmanship, and Horsemanship with her horse, Famous N Foolish. Now, at age twelve, Allie has some serious miles in the show pen, having entered her first show at the age of four on a horse named The Terms Are Sonny.
Click here to read the complete article
258 – March/April, 2022
