While last year’s High-Point English Youth title came as a bit of a shock to Alexis Sage Miller, this year it was squarely on her radar. And with good rides aboard her longtime partner Thanks For Zip En Me in a variety of classes, “Lexi” captured not only the High-Point English Youth title but also the coveted All-Around Youth 14-18 award, too.
“I wanted to go out with a bang and get a couple of buckles,” Lexi said. “I started thinking that winning the Youth 14-18 title would be nice too, but it wasn’t my main goal.”
Lexi made her presence known early and often at the Youth World Show, racking up a trio of over-fences world championships—Youth Hunter Hack, Youth Jumping and Youth Hunt-Seat Equitation Over Fences—along with an unexpected world championship in Youth Ranch Riding. That came along with Top Five finishes in Youth Working Hunter 14–18 and Youth Hunt-Seat Equitation 14–18, and a Top 10 in Youth Working Hunter 14–18.
“I just went out and had fun with it, and we ended up doing really well,” she said.
Along the way, Lexi captured a total of 140 points in the Youth All-Around Race, 116 of which counted toward the High-Point English Youth title. Solid rides helped the young horsewoman from Eaton, Colorado, top the lists by more than 20 points in the Youth 14–18 division and in excess of 40 points in the High-Point English Youth title race.
Certainly a veteran to the World Show, the equestrienne offered sage advice to riders chasing similar dreams.
“Persevere through it and don’t set your sights on just one goal. Things that are meant to happen will happen. Ride every class as its own,” Lexi said.
The All-Around Youth 14–18 title winner is presented with a $1,000 scholarship, courtesy the American Paint Horse Foundation; a Western trophy saddle, courtesy Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; an embroidered fleece horse cooler, courtesy Big D; a necessity tote, courtesy APHA; Wellness supplement, courtesy Platinum Performance; one hour of consulting service, courtesy College Equestrian Consulting; and a 16″ x 20″ photograph, courtesy Larry Williams Photography.
The High-Point English Youth is presented with an English saddle courtesy SmartPak; an embroidered arena bag, courtesy Big D; a jump boot set, courtesy Purina; Wellness supplement, courtesy Platinum Performance; and a 11″ x 14″ photograph, courtesy Larry Williams Photography.
Full Youth World Show coverage will be in the September Paint Horse Journal. Subscribe, renew or extend your subscription today.
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.