Our June GoMag cover girl, 17-year-old Alexis Miller of Eaton, Colorado is looking forward to the 2016 AjPHA World Show with her 15-time World and Reserve World Champion, Thanks For Zip En Me. The ten-year-old gelding affectionately known as Winston is out of her mare, Zippin In Charisma.
“Winston is such an endearing and pleasant horse to be around,” Alexis told us. “He’s like a sweet big lap dog who always wants attention. He has a forever home with our family.”
In Fort Worth, they will be showing in the 14-18 Youth All Around events under the guidance of Leslie Lange and Jeff Mellott. “I have trained with Tom, Leslie, and Jeff for the last five years. I like them because everything is always so detailed and organized and they can get along with and train pretty much any horse.”
Winston and Alexis have enjoyed great success at the AjPHA World Show including being named 2014 High Point English Horse, 2015 All-Around 14-18 and 2015 High-Point English Horse.
“I enjoy showing APHA because it’s like a big family and I have made a lot of friends over the years,” Alexis states. “I love showing in the horsemanship, equitation, and western riding because I enjoy pattern classes and it’s something different every time. I think those events really show who puts time and effort into the sport and truly knows how to ride their horse.”
Miller also has a new horse, RL Only Sudden (Bobby) who will be her main focus for her remaining youth years, and this summer she will be showing her new quarter horse at the AQHYA World Show in equitation, horsemanship, western riding, and trail, as well as at the NSBA World Show in the western all-around events.
“We found him from someone who used to ride with Tom and Leslie. She originally wanted to lease him out, but when I rode him I decided that I really liked him and wanted to talk about buying him,” Miller states. “It just worked out. I like him because he’s so smart and ready to learn. It doesn’t matter what you show him, once he gets it he keeps learning and learning. It makes him fun. He’s so sweet and easy to be around, and he’s got a lot of character like my paint, Winston, does. He’s also a western horse, and I wanted to switch to the western all around for AQHA.”
For her final two youth years, she plans to show the 14-year-old gelding by RL Best Of Sudden in western riding, trail, horsemanship, and equitation. “He’s good at the patterns, so I thought I might as well do it since it’s my favorite class next to horsemanship. He’s come a long way in the month that he’s been at the Lange’s, and I’m really excited to see what our future holds.”
For her future college and career plan, Miller aspires to ride on an equestrian team in the horsemanship and major in agriculture business and animal sciences. Alexis has her eye on Texas A&M University. After college, she plans to take over the family business which owns cattle feedlots, a trucking company, and a feed mill.
Alexis told us that she is very appreciative of her family. “My mom is the one who got me started in horses. She’s the best horse show mom I could ever ask for and she puts her best effort forward in everything she does for me. My dad goes to every World Show and every local show he can and he’s always my biggest fan. I can’t thank either of my parents enough.”
We wish Alexis and Winston the best of luck at the AjPHA World Show. They will also be showing at the NSBA World in the English All-Around events and watch for Alexis’ mother, Sharon, showing Winston at the APHA fall World Show in the Novice Amateur events.
CLICK HERE to view Alexis and Winston on the June GoMag cover
