Teeny, Tiny Talent at 2014 AjPHA Youth World Show

By: Brittany Bevis

From Leadline to Walk-Trot and even Novice Youth there is an abundance of teeny, tiny talent in Fort Worth, Texas at the 2014 AjPHA Youth World Show. Dominating the walk-trot division are two riders, Alexia Tordoff and Alexa Rogers. APHA newcomer, 10-year-old Alexia Tordoff, has ridden Bossy Commander to a Reserve World Championship in Walk-Trot Hunter Under Saddle, a World Championship in Walk-Trot Equitation, and now a World Championship in Walk-Trot Showmanship, which was quite possibly one of the largest showmanship classes in several years with 14 entries.

Alexa Rogers claimed a World Championship title in Walk-Trot Hunter Under Saddle with Gotta Be Sensational, a fourth place finish with Sonny Dee Zippin in Walk-Trot Equitation, and a Reserve World Champion title in Walk-Trot Showmanship.

Looking at an entirely different division, the Novice Youth has a few small standouts of its own. We’re particularly fond of 10-year-old Ruby Voortmeyer who’s riding her grandmother’s (Shawnee Wayman) veteran show horse, the 22-year-old APHA legend, Reddy’s Review. Yesterday, they received a 9th place finish in Novice Youth 13 and under Hunter Under Saddle and a third place finish in Novice Youth 13 and under Equitation.

The cuteness continues with the tiniest showmanship competitor we’ve ever seen, Piper Love, and her horse Who Painted Me, aka “Taco.” She will also be competing in leadline later today.

Another tiny equestrian that’s quickly become a crowd favorite is six-year-old Kyrah Bowker of New Mexico who’s competing in the Novice Youth 13 and under division. Keep in mind that the Walk-Trot division is for ages 5-10. However, Kyrah is quick let us know that she finds Walk-Trot a bit boring.

“I’ve been showing since I was two,” Kyra says. “When I have a chance, my favorite class is usually jumping. The ones I have left are all western. There’s so many, I’m not really sure I can name them all!”

Kyra’s trusty steed for the all-around classes is Sheeza Fancy Ratchett, aka “Fancy Pants.” Although, here at the Youth World, she’s competing against riders twice her age, Kyra shows no fear. Since she’s such an experienced veteran in the show pen, we asked her to give some advice to other youngsters who might be afraid to go in a class alongside the big kids.

“I’ve done it a lot of times,” she says. “Me and Fancy just thought we needed something a little harder. I would say, maybe if they went in the same class with me, I would try to ride right next to them and try to help if they needed help.”

Thus far, Kyra and Fancy Pants have received a ribbon in almost every class they’ve entered. This adorable team received quite a bit of applause yesterday during their equitation class.

“I had a pretty good equitation pattern,” she says. “When I was trying to do my turn real fast, she took a little back, but we covered that up pretty fast. We did not want anybody to notice about that little oopsie.”

Kyra isn’t the only young equestrienne in the Bowker family. Her little sister, Clara, is celebrating her nine-month birthday today, and she has a particular fondness for horses, especially Fancy Pants.

“Well, she seems to like mine,” she says. “She might want my horse!”

We’d like to wish all of these equestrians the very best of luck here at the Youth World Show. Stay tuned for the Leadline competition that will take place tomorrow. We expect a competitive crowd…

Scroll below to view more adorable photos of equestrians that might be small in size but big in heart.