Featured in the Arabian Horse Times
Brooke Peterson says that the biggest lesson she has learned from her trainer Chrsity Higman-Clement’s is “to always have fun while showing. It is not about the ribbons, but the experiences you share with your family, barn family, and horses.” She, her sister Alexis, and many of the Christy Higman-Clements Training riders received a lot of ribbons and accolades at the recent Youth & Midsummer National Championships. But, this love for the horses and dedication to experiencing the highs and lows of this sport together was the most consistent thread of the Petersons’ story.
Between the two sisters, they received five national championships, three reserve championships and two top tens with their four horses. Three of Alexis’ sets of roses were earned with RGT Fireball Whiskey (Whiskey), ending up unanimous champions in the inaugural AHPA Hunter Pleasure Equitation class, national champions in HA/AA Hunter Pleasure JOTR, and reserve champions in the HA/AA Hunter Pleasure Elite. Her fourth and fifth sets were a championship and reserve championship garlands with PA Monterey Always in the PB Hunter Pleasure JOTR 15 – 18 (unanimous), and PB Hunter Pleasure JTR Elite, respectively. Brooke was national champion with Hot Rodder PF (Buddy) in both HA/AA Mounted Native Costume JOTR and JTR 14& Under (unanimous). She and Buddy were also reserve champions in the HA/AA Country Pleasure Choice JTR.
Alexis was most proud of her win with her beloved Whiskey in the AHPA class because of how much time she has spent working on her equitation. Her unanimous vote shows that all the times Christy surprised her with a pattern at the end of the lesson were worth it.
“I just want to tell every equestrian in the world to never give up,” the older sister said. “We all have bad rides. Just keep loving the horse and the sport.”
Both Alexis and Brooke speak about how helpful it is to have each other invested in the same passion. They are the first ones running into the Jim Norrick arena for a victory picture and the safest listening ear when dealing with something difficult.
When the Debbie and Mark Peterson saw their girls expressed an interest in the sport, they knew the dedication they would take. They prioritized finding a barn that served their family’s needs and would be a productive environment for their daughters. They landed on Clement’s program.
“If there’s nothing else I can instill in these girls, it’s that they have confidence in their horses and in themselves,” Clements said about the Petersons and her other riders. “It makes the difference in the ring and in life.”
Mark sees the transferrable life skills Clements spoke of that his daughters are learning by being high-level competitors in the Arabian Horse community. “They are learning that time and dedication to a process,” Mark said. “You don’t always get the instant success. You change along the way to get to the end goal.”
He added, “you have got to be a gracious winner and a polite loser.”
Debbie shares the same gratitude as her husband. And when describing what makes her most proud, the ribbons and trophies did not come up, but instead the ways her daughters value their equine partners.
“I am proud of the bond they have with horses,” she shared. “I see them in the stall and in the field with the horses. To have success in the ring, you have to have a bond made outside of the ring. They are in it for the love of the horses. I am proud that (no matter what) they remember that.”
It is refreshing to know that had the Petersons not found themselves in the winner’s circle eight times this July, they would have spoken with the same excitement for the sport, admiration for the people around them, and sincerity in the love for their horses.
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