Sister Act – The Stopperich Sisters
Click here to read the complete article
The Stopperich Sisters Share a Special Bond in and out of the show pen
by Mackenzie Patterson
It’s not very common to come across two siblings who are equally unstoppable in the show pen. Meet Paige and Jillian, aka the Stopperich Sister Act.
Recently, Paige and Jillian, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, won double circuit championship titles at the 2015 Georgia Quarter Horse Association Pro-Am Circuit. Jillian, age 12, won her titles in 13-and-under Horsemanship and Hunt Seat Equitation. Paige, age 19, won 14-18 Horsemanship and 14-18 Hunt Seat Equitation. The girls were both All-Around Champions in their age divisions at the event as well.
During her youth career, Paige has achieved multiple AQHA Congress Championships, an AQHA Youth World Championship, and multiple top five and top ten finishes at the Congress and Youth World Show. Jillian is a Congress Champion, AQHA Youth World Show top five finisher, and she has many top five and top ten wins from the Congress as well.
The sisters were first introduced to the world of horse showing by their mother, Laura Stopperich, who grew up on a farm and was surrounded by all types of animals. Laura and her sister, Shannon Cairone, showed horses side by side during their youth. These days, Laura, Shannon, Paige, and Jillian all get to enjoy the horse showing experience together.
When Paige was four years old, her mother and father purchased a little brown Quarter Horse pony, and she started off her show career at local 4-H competitions in walk/trot classes. A few years later, when Paige was eight years-old and her little sister, Jillian was two, the girls were given their first Quarter Horse to share. The horse was Zippos Little Buddy, a 1996 sorrel gelding, purchased from Aunt Shannon. Paige showed Buddy in rail classes, and Jillian showed him in leadline classes.
A little further down the road, Potential Melody, a 2000 bay mare, was the first horse that gave Paige a real taste of success in the show pen. The team won the 12-14 Showmanship at the 2009 Quarter Horse Congress. “Pretty was probably the most special horse I have ever shown. Unfortunately, she had a career ending injury, so now she is happily retired and having lots of babies,” Paige says.
Paige is currently in the midst of her last year as a youth in AQHA competition. She is finishing her career aboard the 17.2 hand, 2007 chestnut gelding named Cowboys R Hot, aka “Larry.”
Paige and Larry compete in Hunter Under Saddle, Horsemanship, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Riding, and Performance Halter events. “My favorite event is Equitation. I didn’t used to like it at all. Then, when I got Larry, he was really good at it, so I started working harder. It’s now my favorite class,” Paige says.
When Paige first started riding Larry during his three-year-old year, the two of them had some struggles. Now the pair has five years of practice under their belts and have formed quite the bond. “Larry has taught me how important it is to ride every step. If I don’t, he will shut down. I have learned to persevere and keep trying hard when Larry is being lazy or misbehaves. Even though he isn’t the easiest horse to ride, we get along very well now,” Paige says.
One of Paige’s fondest memories with Larry is when they won Youth Hunt Seat Equitation at the 2013 AQHA Youth World Show.
Jillian currently competes in the 13-and-under age division in Showmanship, Trail, Western Horsemanship, Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Riding, and Western Pleasure classes on her 2004 sorrel gelding, Invested Pine Asset, aka “Ulysses.”
“My favorite class is Showmanship, because my horse and I are both good at it. I also like Western Riding, because Ulysses is good at changing leads, and it’s a fun and challenging class,” Jillian says.
Last year, when Jillian was just 11 years old, she placed fourth in Showmanship at the 2014 AQHA Youth World Show. 195 other kids competed in the class.
In the past, Jillian has shown other horses, such as Zippos Little Buddy and Always Absolute, but Ulysses has truly stolen her heart.
“Ulysses puts up with a lot,” she says. “He taught me how to keep my body still when I ride. That was hard for me at first. But, with lots of practice, it’s easy for me now,” Jillian says.
When it comes to horse showing, Jillian loves the whole environment, but she most enjoys being around her family, friends, and all of the horses. Paige loves getting to know individuals from across the country and learning about different lifestyles. She explains that horse showing is a wonderful escape from her regular life. “I like the fact that a lot of people may not understand the world of horse showing, but they are still very interested in it,” Paige says.
Paige is just finishing her freshman year at the University of South Carolina where she is studying psychology. Aside from her studies, Paige is on the NCEA Equestrian Team and competes in Horsemanship. Her team recently won the 2015 National Collegiate Equestrian Association Championship title. Jillian is currently finishing up her 6th grade year in elementary school. She manages to find the time to balance homework, basketball, and horse showing all at the same time.
While the girls are busy at school, their horses stay at trainers Michael Colvin and Clint Ainsworth’s farm in Atlanta, Georgia. During the winter, Paige and Jillian try to visit Atlanta at least once a month to ride their horses. Both of the girls agree that their favorite shows are the Quarter Horse Congress and the AQHA Youth World Show.
“The atmosphere is great and the competition is tough at the Congress. I love watching the best horses and trainers in the industry competing there,” Paige says.
When the girls go to the Congress, they have a few activities that they make sure to do each year while they’re there.
“The Sweet Shop is always a must at the Congress. Jillian and I probably eat there at least once a day during the show. We also enjoy walking through Congress Hall, and doing some shopping is always necessary as well,” Paige says.
Paige shares that she looks forward to competing in all of her classes this year, because each class offers something new to learn. This year, Jillian is looking forward to competing in Showmanship at the Congress because she has high expectations for that class. Before a big class at any show, both girls prepare themselves by taking deep breaths and focusing on the specific maneuvers they need to perform during the event.
“I get most nervous at the bigger shows like the Congress and the Youth World because I don’t want to mess up in front of a big crowd,” Jillian admits.
The sisters are grateful for the uplifting advice their trainers give them with regard to showing.
“Michael and Clint tell me to do my best and have fun. They make sure to remind me that it’s alright if I mess up, because there will always be other times to redeem myself,” Jillian says.
Paige says her trainers have always given her the best advice. “Michael and Clint always tell me that they would rather see me make a mistake from trying too hard than having a clean pattern and being simply average. Sometimes I get nervous and try to play it safe and just make it through, but that usually doesn’t work out. Their advice really helps me push myself to be better and give 110 percent. Michael and Clint have not only taught me a lot about horses and showing, they have also taught me so much about life and growing up. They have both been really instrumental in me becoming an adult,” Paige says. Jillian echoes her sister’s sentiment when she says, “In my opinion, Michael and Clint are the best trainers ever!”
The sisters are quick to remind everyone that if it weren’t for two very special people in their lives, they wouldn’t be able to enjoy the luxury of showing horses at all. “Without our parents, none of this would be possible for my sister and me. We would not be here without them. We are incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful support system,” Paige says.
The girls agree that the best advice they have ever received from their parents, with regard to showing horses, is to set goals and not give up, while always remembering to have fun inside and outside the show ring.
Paige and Jillian’s father, Shawn Stopperich, is very busy at work, but he comes to the shows when possible. He always makes sure to attend the Quarter Horse Congress, along with Paige and Jillian’s two brothers, Alec, 17, and Aidan, 15. The girls truly appreciate the support from their father and brothers.
Perhaps the most cherished support and advice that Paige and Jillian receive is from each other. The girls admit to having some occasional fights, but for the most part they get along very well and have a lot of fun competing together.
“Riding and showing horses with my sister really means a lot to me because I don’t get to see her much anymore, except for at shows, since she is away at school most of the time,” Jillian says.
“Showing connects all of us. We all love it. Not everyone gets the privilege of being able to do something they love with their family members,” Paige adds.
The girls think it’s very important to give each other uplifting and positive advice before each class. “I tell Jillian to try her best, have fun, and not to overthink [the performance] too much. I don’t want her putting too much pressure on herself,” Paige says.
Paige and Jillian agree that they would give their fellow competitors similar advice when it comes time to hit the show ring. “I would say not to worry about something going wrong once in awhile. If you mess up and don’t do very well, you still have a lot of good things going for you,” Jillian says.
“My advice would be that everyone messes up and makes mistakes. Do your best and practice a lot. If you really want something, and you are willing to work for it, it will happen,” Paige says.
The most memorable experience that the Stopperich sisters have shared is when they both won Championship titles at the Quarter Horse Congress in 2014. Paige won 14-18 Hunt Seat Equitation and Jillian won 11 & Under Showmanship.
With several major wins under their belts, the Stopperich sisters both have some pretty big plans for the 2015 show season. They are eager to see where the year leads them, and they certainly look forward to enjoying the ride… together.
