Ali Papendick and Harley D Zip change leads in western riding.

Harley D Zip has a lot to teach, and his new student is Ali Papendick.

She proved what she had learned August 10 when she won the western riding championship at the 2007 Ford AQHYA World Championship Show.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Ali said. “He’s taught me a lot. Every time, he gives 100 percent, and when it comes to the big-time, he always gives 110 percent if not more.”

That’s because “Harley” is accustomed to the bright lights of big shows. The three-time world champion in western riding belongs to Ali’s sister, Kristina, who’s letting Ali ride him this year.

“I rode him when my sister still was showing him, and from then, Jason (Martin), my trainer, he said, ‘she would really do good with him,’” Ali said. “My sister accomplished so much on him that it was kind of time for her to move on, and so he got passed down to me, which is good. I’ve had a lot of fun.”

Ali’s fun at the Ford Youth World included her score of 230, a mark she set as the fifth rider in the finals.

 “I could tell it was going to be good because (Harley’s) ears were kind of off to the side, looking like he was going to listen to me, which is good,” Ali said. “Then I came around, and my first transition was good. My line changes were good, and my crossovers were good.

After I heard my score, I thought, oh, gosh, the pressure, because I wanted to do really good on (my second horse), too. So I was a little lost.”

On A Special Invitation, the second horse Ali qualified for the finals, she scored a 178.

The 16-year-old from Rapid City, South Dakota, said she and Harley plan to defend their title next year.

“Oh, yeah,” she said. “Of course.”