The next member of team USA that we will be spotlighting is fifteen-year-old Paige Stopperich of Venetia, Pennsylvania. Paige started riding when she was five and competed in 4-H shows on a little pony that her parents had bought for her. Currently, Paige shows in the English events but is working with her horse to eventually do the all around under the guidance of Michael Colvin. In addition to showing horses, Paige enjoys playing tennis and hanging out with friends.
How old are you?
15 years old
Where do you live?
Venetia, Pennsylvania
What school do you attend and what grade are you in?
Sophomore at Peters Township High School
What are your plans for next year?
My plans for next year are to keep doing well in school and showing my horses.
Have you traveled to Europe before? If so, when, where and why?
Yes, I traveled to Italy over Easter in 2011 for a family vacation.
What’s your favorite memory from this trip?
My favorite memory was getting to visit all the historical sites and learn about the different stories behind them.
Where else outside of the United States have you traveled?
I have also traveled to Canada and destinations in the Caribbean.
What are your equine accomplishments?
2011 AQHYA World Show 8th place in Hunter Under Saddle and Semi-Finalist in the Equitation. I am also a Congress Champion in the 12-14 Showmanship and Congress All Around Champion for 11 and under division.
Why do you think you got chosen for the youth world cup team?
I believe that I was chosen for the world cup team because of my experience showing and competing with many different and inexperienced horses. In the past two years, I have shown three different horses; two of the horses were inexperienced in the all around events.
What are you most looking forward to during the YWC?
I am looking forward to meeting and interacting with youth from all over the world and representing the United States.
What are you least looking forward to during the YWC?
The thing that I’m least looking forward to is the plane ride to and from Germany.
What were your feelings when you found out you made the YWC team?
I was so excited and shocked when I first found out that I was selected to be on the team. After it sunk in I became more excited and all I wanted was for July to just hurry up and get here!
If you were to create a playlist for your trip to Germany, what would your top three song choices be?
My playlist would include No Faith in Brooklyn by Hoodie Allen, I want it all by Huey Mack, and any song by Nicki Minaj!
If you could ride any horse alive or dead, what horse would it be?
If I could ride any horse dead or alive I would want to ride The Heat Seeker. He is one of my most favorite horses in the industry, mostly because he is so tall, yet he excels in the all around events.
Tell me one thing about yourself that most people don’t know?
Most people don’t know that in addition to my younger sister Jillian, I have two younger brothers at home. Alec is 14 and Aidan is 12. When I have something I need to talk about I can always go to Alec, he sometimes plays the role of one of my best girl friends.
What is a unique or quirky habit you have?
A unique habit of mine is that whenever I’m in the car I must have music playing and if I have to, I will constantly change the station or song until I find one that I can sing along to.
If you had to chose one word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?
I would describe myself as shy, but after you get to know me better I am very outgoing and I’m always laughing.
If you had to choose your career right this minute, what would you choose?
I would choose to become a lawyer.
Who is your role model in the horse world and what is it about this person that makes you choose them?
My role models in the horse world are definitely my mom and my aunt (Shannon Cairone)–without them I would have never gotten into horses. I chose them because they are always supporting me every step of the way while pushing me to be the best that I can be. Without them I don’t know where I would be.
