After talking to youth competitor Millie Anderson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, you would never guess that this confident young lady is just ten years-old. GoHorseShow was impressed by how well-spoken and polite this fifth grader was when we interviewed her during the Novice East Championship Show.
This past weekend, Millie had a huge confidence boost competing with her horse, Justa Zippo (Fancy Fred) in the Novice Youth Western Pleasure in Murfreesoro, Tennessee. While the duo didn’t make it back to the finals, they were excited that they had a breakthrough ride and according to Millie, “They had their best horse show ride yet!”
“I’ve had some problems the last few times I have shown, but I believe we have worked all our issues out,” Millie proudly states. “I am confident going into the Congress, and I can’t wait to get to Ohio.”
In their first year together, Anderson and the eight year-old bay gelding by Just Me Only and out of Fancy Face Zippo have amassed over 66 points in the youth and novice youth western pleasure classes. Millie and Justa Zippo will be competing for the first time at the Congress in the Novice 13 and Under Western Pleasure and the Youth Western Pleasure 11 and Under.
Her mother, Tara Lombardo Anderson, grew up showing and knows how beneficial riding and showing horses can be for her daughter.
“Millie has been showing AQHA for the past five years,” says Tara, who has gained a well-earned reputation as one of the top braiders and banders in the industry. “Showing horses teaches responsibility and that hard work and dedication pays off. AQHA has many great programs to offer kids, and I am glad that she is able to be involved and have many of the same experiences I did growing up with horses.”
However, since Tara is a single mother, Millie’s involvement with horses is not without sacrifice.
“Showing horses is very expensive. but I try to trade out as much as I can since I work in the industry,” Tara explains. “The entry fees, show outfits, and drug fees definitely make it challenging to keep Millie involved, but her trainers and my close friends, Donnie Recchiuti and Liz Flohr, have gone above and beyond to help me keep Millie involved with showing. We consider them family, and we couldn’t do it without them.”
In fact, Millie adores her trainers and calls them, Uncle Donnie and Aunt Liz–even though they aren’t related.
“I love working with Aunt Liz and Uncle Donnie, and I love showing horses because I just love being around them,” says Millie, who wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. “I feel different when I’m around horses–it is more like a vacation and an escape from everyday life but also a place where I can spend time with my friends and learn new things.”
During the Congress, Millie is looking forward to adding to her medal count. The last two years, she placed fifth and sixth in the Small Fry Horsemanship with her former partner, Radical Roddin Zippo.
“I love getting up in the middle of the night to ride at the Congress, and I love the level of competition,” Millie says. “I have to push myself and work twice as hard–maybe sometimes, three times as hard–it is that one time of year where the numbers are big and the kids are tough.”
GoHorseShow wishes Millie and Fancy Fred the best of luck at this year’s Congress. We hope Fancy Fred gets rewarded with his favorite cookies!
Also watch out for this team in the showmanship and horsemanship classes next year.
CLICK HERE to check out her ad in the Congress issue of GoMag.
