I started taking riding lessons at 7 years old at Hampton Ridge Equestrian Center. I took lessons there for 6 months. I then took a break for 2 years and got back into riding after moving to Fort Calhoun. I restarted taking lessons at a nearby barn. It was a friend’s western barn. I learned all about riding western and bareback. I found a great interest in jumping after watching my mom ride her jumping horse for many years. We found a hunter-jumper barn in Omaha, Nebraska called Ponca Hills Farm. I took a few lessons there and my mom boarded her horse there. Then her horse got badly injured after slipping on ice and had to be put down.
When my mom moved to a new barn, The Farm at Butterflat Creek, I started to consistently take jumping lessons and eventually purchased my first pony. I competed in the schooling circuit on this pony and owned him for 2 years. My mom and I then made a decision to further my riding, and so we moved to Flying Change Farm to train with Danielle Risler-Urban and compete in rated shows.
In October 2021, I purchased my Children’s Hunter, Vegas. I competed in the Thoroughbred hunters, the 12-14 Children’s Hunters, and some medal classes. This horse and I accomplished a lot in the two short years I owned him. We were High Point Children’s Hunter our first year together. We qualified for Take 2 Thoroughbred Finals and got 4th out of 21 horse and rider combinations. While at Take 2 finals my mom, my trainer, and I watched Maclay Regionals. Watching this class showed me that I liked the challenge of the Equitation classes. This was the moment I decided I wanted an Equitation Horse.
Also, while at Take 2 Finals I tried a few horses. There was one specifically that caught my eye, Scrappy Aka. Kensington Van De Falieberg. We bought him October 10th, 2022. Scrappy has really shown me the ropes of the Equitation classes. I started in Gulfport, Mississippi in the 3’3” Large Junior Hunter Division. The next week we started the Equitation classes. I started with the 3’3” NHS class and then did the 3’6” Maclay. Ever since Gulfport I have been doing most of the Equitation classes offered such as: the 3’3” NHS, the 3’6” ASPCA Maclay Medal, the USHJA 3’3” Hunt Seat Medal, the USEF 3’6” Hunt Seat Medal, and the 3’3” NCEA medal. I recently went to Maclay and NHS Regionals. I placed 4th out of 6 in the Maclay Regional class, and I placed 3rd out of 9 in the NHS Regional class. I also qualified and competed at NHS Medal Finals. Since then I have been to two shows and have had great success at those. I have only owned Scrappy for 1 year and I am ecstatic for our future together.
I am currently a Sophomore at Fort Calhoun High School in Fort Calhoun NE. I am very focused on my academics and who I am at school. I am maintaining a 4.0 GPA while showing for multiple weeks and still attending a traditional school during the rest of the year. While I am not showing or training at home I enjoy helping out the Drama Club. I am a stage manager for One-Act. I also help out the Art Club and Spanish Club. I find great joy in spending time with my friends in and out of school, being with my family, and participating in the activities offered by the school.
I feel I have worked hard in this sport and being given the opportunity to ride at a collegiate level would show how much I’ve achieved. I am passionate about finding the perfect college and riding team that helps me continue my riding career. I am thankful for all this sport has given me and shown me especially how to be resilient, be grateful for what I have, and to be patient. I cannot wait to commit to a riding team
~ Harper Tjardes