Eleven year-old Rana Orsan of Frontenac, Missouri is just off an impressive showing at the 2013 Pinto World Championships. Orsan and her horse, Zippos Fancy Feet (Fancy), came away with two PtHA World Championships in the Walk Trot Pleasure and Horsemanship. The duo also ended up third in the Walk-Trot Showmanship.
“It was really cool to win because I knew that I had good rides but I didn’t know that it was good enough to win,” Orsan excitedly told GoHorseShow. “I know I still made mistakes, and I am working to make it better each time I go out. I always think, yeah, that’s great–I won yesterday, but, now I have to see if I can get the next one right. My motto: it’s not if you win or lose, it’s about the ride–but it does feel awesome when your effort results in a ribbon or buckle.”
From these insightful comments, it is obvious that Rana is an exceptional rider, student, and young lady. The sixth grader who attends Visitation Academy in St. Louis is looking forward to showing in the novice and 13 & Under Classes next year and moving up to the loping classes. “I’m not quite ready for the loping classes just yet,” Rana says. “But, I’m working hard on it.”
Orsan describes her horse, Fancy, as silly. “Every time she gets a drink of water after we ride, she splashes me on purpose. She is also a real lap puppy because she always wants to lean on me or nuzzle me. She gives really wet sloppy puppy kisses by licking me on the cheek,” says Orsan, who is under the guidance of her trainer, John Kayser. “Fancy is a real girl’s girl and loves to be primped for her classes–she makes funny faces and half closes her eyes when we are making her beautiful.”
Without a doubt, Rana loves showing horses. “I really can’t explain it, but I like seeing my friends and the fun of competing. I think most of all–I like to see how I can improve my skills as a rider and the challenge that each class holds,” Orsan states. “I love horses because they are beautiful, loyal and loving. They have great big 1200 lb hearts and teach us how to have patience and how to be forgiving without giving up on ourselves. They can give us peace and healing.”
Not surprisingly, when Orsan grows up, she wants to be a research vet to find treatments and a cure for cancer in animals. Orsan also has another horse named, A Sultry Pleasure (Rex), by Good N Sultry that she plans on showing in the western pleasure in the near future.
“There’s a lot of kids that work just as hard and even harder than me and come to the World Show to ride and never win, so, I think that I’m so lucky. It’s great to have an awesome trainer and supportive friends–a cool horse doesn’t hurt either! I just feel so thankful.”
Look out for Rana and Fancy in the Walk Trot classes at the AjPHA World Show.
Click here to check out her ad in the June issue of GoMag!
Photos © Jeff Kirkbride
