World competitor has Yorkton roots

Taylor Gardner lived one of her dreams last week, competing in one of the prestige events in the Paint horse world.

The show in Fort Worth is the annual AJPHA (American Junior Paint Horse Association) Youth World Show.

"This is an international competition for the best Paint Horses and riders from around the world," said Gardner, who grew up in Yorkton, the daughter of Shaun Gardner and Lorraine Beaudette.

The event attracts some 125 participants, the best young riders from across North America.

"There are four Canadian horses and riders participating this year," said Gardner, who now lives at Saskatoon. "I am the only one from Saskatchewan."

Gardner, 17, said she has had her eye on participating at the Youth World Show for years.

"It has been my goal to participate in this show for the past three years," she told Yorkton This Week. "Competing at the world's is a once in a life time opportunity. Horsemanship is my passion. It has been a part of my life since I was very young."

Gardner said she enjoys working toward a top prize against other riders.

"I enjoy the competitive nature of horse shows which (brings out the best of both the horse and rider) pits several individual competitors against each other in search of the top awards," she said.

To get to Fort Worth means a long journey going from show-to-show in order to earn your way to the world event.

Qualifying for the world show begins by competing, and being successful, at all the APHA Sanctioned shows in Zone 10 which includes Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, NWT, Yukon, and parts of B.C., she explained.

Once at the World Show the event is broken down into various categories and classes.

In Gardner's case she is took three horses to the big stage.

"At the World Show I will be competing in Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle, and English Equitation with 'Only By Appointment' (Wayne)," she said, adding she will also be in "Hunter Hack, Equation Over Fences, and Working Hunter with 'The Best Man' (Bugs).

"I will be competing in the Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, and Stake Race with 'Mr Sylvester' (Sylvester).

From the long list of classes one is Gardner's favourite. "Showmanship because its requires accuracy and precision to be done correctly."

As for a goal in Fort Worth, Gardner is modest.

"I am hoping to be a finalist in a least one event," she said. "A top-five finish would be awesome.

"Ideally I would like to come back a world champion. Overall my goal is to be the best that I and my horses can be and to have fun."

Gardner certainly has been highly successful before in the showring.

"I was the Open Speed Champion for Zone 10 in 2012 and was narrowly edged out of the high-point for the Zone as well," she said. "I have had many successful shows having been high point champion at several.

"Also last year I was pleased to have been the Saskatchewan overall western division champion."

Fun for Gardner has always meant working with horses.

"Horses have always been in my life," she said. "There was never a time when I didn't want to ride horses. I started riding when I was three and began showing horses eight years ago."

And then came Paints.

"I fell in love with the paint horse breed after my dad bought me my first paint horse named 'Bugs'," said Gardner. "I love that they are unique, trust worthy, and versatile."

After Fort Worth Gardner said it will be time to relax just a little.

"Following the World Show I plan on taking time off from the horse show circuit, still stay involved but to a lesser degree, which will allow more time for focusing in on my schooling," she said. "It is my goal to graduate from high school with a bilingual certificate."