Trying anything new is often exciting as well as nerve-wracking. Attempting to throw yourself out there, doing something that you have no experience doing, in the hopes of succeeding without looking like a complete fool—that is no easy task. But for Ashley Roach, showing at her first AQHA show in Venice, Florida, came as easy as riding a bike.
Ashley, a 13-year-old Ohio native, was first introduced to riding horses while vacationing in Hawaii. After returning home to Columbus, she became involved with Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA).
Roach recently moved to Miami to live with her father, Monty. Still wanting to be involved with horses, she began riding with Florida trainer, Mark Stevens. Stevens has been involved with the quarter horse world for over 40 years and says the Roach’s are just a fun family. “They drive about an hour to come have lessons, and while Ashley has lessons, her dad rides as well,” Mark told GoHorseShow. Even though Ashley has been with Stevens for only a couple of months, she prepared for her first AQHA show.
The Florida Quarter Horse Association Spring Blast Show in April offered an all-day show fee, and a chance for anyone who competed in any halter class to win a saddle by raffle. Ashley wanted a new saddle for her birthday, so she decided to show “just for fun.”
“Ashley leases my horse, Zip Skip And Strut (Julie), through the Novice program AQHA has now, “ Mark Stevens explained. “I didn’t think she and the horse had connected enough to show yet, but she wanted to go and just do it for fun, so of course what could I say after that!”
Ashley asked the show manager, Peg Edmondson, for her lucky number, 439. “That’s been my riding number forever. At my first IEA show, I was eight or nine, and they gave me that number and I won my classes that day so that became my lucky number,” Ashley told GoHorseShow.
Ashley showed in a halter class, a walk-trot horsemanship class (which she won) and a pleasure class. Overall, she had a great first show. Little did she know it was only going to get better.
“We were on our way home from the show andd Mark texted my dad with a picture of the saddle with Julie saying that I had won the saddle! And my Dad was just like ‘Wow!’ ” Ashley explained.
Ashley had won the saddle in the raffle. “That’s what it took–a lucky number 439, a leased horse, and showing for the fun of it!” Mark Stevens exclaimed.
When looking towards the future, this AQHA rider has big plans. Ashley says she’s not competitive, but her dad begs to differ. “It’s not like I’m going to die if I don’t win, but I mean I might be sad,” Ashley says and laughs.
Ashley says that her long-term goal would be to qualify for and go to the Youth World, but she needs the right horse. “We’re looking for the right one for her to grow on, and compete for the next five or six years, “ her father, Monty Roach, explained.
“She has great potential to be a competitive rider,” Mark Stevens said. “It’s a journey, so, she has to learn to enjoy it, have fun, and be great all-around. Her father can give her great opportunities and she is driven and enthusiastic.”
With a bright future, an amazing attitude and a brand-new saddle, it seems as if Ashley Roach is on the right path to accomplish her goals in and out of the horse show arena. We wish her the best of luck!
