Fifteen year-old Drew Rogers of Bakersfield, California has just moved up to show with the big girls. Last year, Rogers and her horse, Shez Eye Candy (Fran), were the APHjA World Champions in the 13 and Under Western Pleasure. In 2013, this team is ready to make their mark in the 14-18 all-around events. This show season they will be showing in the showmanship, hunter under saddle, western pleasure, horsemanship, trail, equitation, and western riding under the guidance of Ryan Painter.
“My goals for 2013 are to show to the best of my ability, and to finish in the Top 10,” says the Garces Memorial High School sophomore. “What I love about showing horses is the competition, and all the friends I have made. I love being with my horse and pushing myself to do better each time we get into the arena. I can’t wait for the Youth World because of all the competition and I can’t wait to see all my friends.”
Rogers compares her equine partner, Fran, to a typical girl. “She loves candy, a little sassy at times, very loving, and always gives me 110%.”
The gorgeous 2004 sorrel overo mare is by multiple Congress and APHA and NSBA World Champion sire, Charlie Hilfiger and out of Zippos Satin Lace. Fran and Drew were the 2010 APHA 13 and Under All-Around Champions at the AjPHA World Show as well as Fran started off her stellar career by winning the the 2007 APHA World in the Three Year-Old Western Pleasure Challenge. The talented mare was bred and owned by Erica Lang and was shown by Rusty Green.
The California native said that her mentors include her parents, her trainer, Ryan Painter, her friends that show in NCEA competitions, and her former trainer, Julie Black, who have all helped her get to where she is today.
“I got involved with horses when I was little because my babysitter used to ride horses,” Drew recalls. “I always wanted to ride, so for Christmas one year I got riding lessons and that’s where it all started.”
Drew says that she enjoys working with Ryan Painter because he gives her the confidence to believe in herself. “He pushes me to be the best I can be, and he is great at finding my weaknesses and helping me work on them.”
Her favorite horse show memories include seeing all her friends at the Youth World Show and winning the nation in 2012. She will also will never forget the year her and Ann-Marie Fortenberry were world and reserve world champions in western pleasure and trail in 2010. Rogers says that her favorite win was last year in the 13 and Under Western Pleasure.
In the show arena, Rogers says that she will strive to be number one again in the nation, but this time, in the 14-18 division before the end of her youth career. As for her college ambitions, Drew wants to attend college on a riding scholarship.
GoHorseShow asked the determined young lady what she wanted to be when she grew up, and not surprisingly, she had a long list of possibilities. “Either a reporter or a talk show host or maybe a vet,” Rogers says laughing. “I’m not really sure yet, but I still have some time to decide…. I do know that I would like to thank my parents for always making my dreams come true, and letting me show my horses.”
Click here to check out her ad in the June Issue of GoMag.
