BY TIM MANZI, JUNIOR JOURNALIST
Audrey Aiken, 17, shows Regal Rhapsody, an 11-year-old gelding by Regal Lark, in equitation over fences.
There seems to be a pattern in the horse show world: buy a horse, start showing, get better, sell your original horse, and then buy a new one. However, Audrey Aiken of Dahlonega, Georgia, is breaking away from the norm. She has shown her first Quarter Horse, Regal Rhapsody, aka “Alex”, for the past four years here at the Ford Youth World.
“He’s just amazing,” Audrey said about her 11-year-old grandson of the famed Rugged Lark. “I wouldn’t be able to do so well if it wasn’t for him.”
Alex took Audrey to the finals this year in equitation over fences and working hunter.
“I’m definitely expecting to do better in (equitation over fences). I was actually surprised how well he did in working hunter today.”
After nearly qualifying after her first show, Audrey was confident that this year’s Ford Youth World would be a repeat, if not better, than last year.
“I’m hoping to win,” Audrey smiled. “It’s not really my last year, but I’m making it my last year for college plans and everything.”
This may be Audrey’s fourth Ford Youth World, but she is no stranger to success.
The 17-year-old was third in the equitation over fences at the 2007 Ford Youth World with Alex.
“He is just like his grandfather in a lot of ways.”
