The next member of Team USA that we will be spotlighting is seventeen-year-old Sarah Ann Pendergraft of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Sarah Ann has been riding horses for eight years and is currently competing in western pleasure, western riding, western horsemanship, trail and showmanship. Sarah Ann trains with Murray Griggs of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Sarah Ann also enjoys baking, tennis and swimming.
How old are you?
17
Where do you live?
Fayetteville, Arkansas
What school do you attend and what grade are you in?
I will be a senior at Fayetteville High School
What are your plans for next year?
I plan to keep showing my horse Jag and focus on school and deciding on a college to attend.
Have you traveled to Europe before? If so, when, where and why?
My sophomore year of high school my family and I took the year to show as much as possible and to take educational vacations. We spent a month traveling all over France, Italy, and Greece.
What’s your favorite memory from this trip?
It is hard for me to pick a favorite part because it was all so memorable. I really loved all the artwork and architecture, the food was delicious, and the scenery was beautiful. One of my favorite parts was getting to experience it all with my family. We have so many memories from it that we still joke about!
Where else outside of the United States have you traveled?
I went to Canada for one day but that doesn’t really count! Other than that and Europe I have stayed right here in the great USA
What are your equine accomplishments?
Top ten at AQHYA 2011 World Shown in Western Riding and Third place Intermediate Champion, Reserve Congress Champion and top ten multiple times, Arkansas QHA youth all around, finalist in Western Pleasure at the 2011 Youth World, AQHYA year end top ten in Horsemanship, Pleasure, and Western Riding. AQHYA Region 9 director for three years and Sentinel.
Why do you think you got chosen for the youth world cup team?
I think I was chosen because of my leadership skills and experience as an AQHYA regional director and sentinel; my ability to talk to others; and my accomplishments in the show pen.
What are you most looking forward to during the YWC?
I am really looking forward to working with the team and our wonderful coaches! We have a great team with a great work ethic and we all like to have a good time! I also can’t wait to meet the other teams.
What are you least looking forward to during the YWC?
I’m looking forward to the whole situation and I think the end of the show will be the worst part, when we all say goodbye to our new friends and have to leave Germany. We have waited and anticipated it so much we won’t want it to end.
What were your feelings when you found out you made the YWC team?
I was so/still am excited and in awe. It is such an honor and I can’t wait!
If you were to create a playlist for your trip to Germany, what would your top three song choices be?
Call me maybe, because it is on the German top ten list; All I do is win, because we plan to; Also some Tom Petty… and I would probably throw in some German music to get accustomed.
If you could ride any horse alive or dead, what horse would it be?
Huntin for Money because I have seen her and the McMullen sisters be so successful for such a long time and she is such a sweetheart.
Tell me one thing about yourself that most people don’t know?
I collect rubber ducks. I have around 200 of them, all different sizes and from all over the world!
If you had to chose one word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?
Fun because I like to make people laugh and have a good time.
If you had to choose your career right this minute, what would you choose?
I would be a baker and own my own bakery, I love to bake and I always have. It has always been a dream of mine
Who is your role model in the horse world and what is it about this person that makes you choose them?
Peyton Bivins because I have watched her achieve her goal. She is very hard working and inspirational. And definitely Murray Griggs because of everything he has taught me and he is always there for me. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this goal without him. He is an amazing horseman and person.
