Alexandra Arute
Hometown: Farmington, Connecticut
Biography
With only two-and-a-half years in the saddle, nine-year-old Alexandra Arute of Farmington, Connecticut, is already turning judge's heads in the pony hunter rings. With championships at Old Salem (New York) and Fairfield (Connecticut), and consistent tri-colors at her local shows, Alexandra also won the medium and small divisions at Zone 1 Finals two years running. Another protÈgÈ of Patricia Griffith at Heritage Farm, Alexandra, according to mom, Lori, "is such a perfectionist, who keeps trying and works harder with every day."
"When I'm not showing, I like to read - mostly 'Harry Potter' -- and I like to swim," comments Alexandra. She shares her blue-ribbon-winning advice to "keep working hard and just keep practicing." Lori admits that her daughter had a great start because she started on quiet ponies and never had the chance to become afraid because of a bad experience.
Alexandra's most embarrassing moment? "My first time going off course in Vermont. It was an easy course...but I went in and jumped the jumps backward!"
Lori recalls that Alexandra's transition from the short stirrup division to pony hunters was a challenge because of the change in strides. And Alexandra's first Palm Beach circuit, this year, meant training four days a week, and showing two, while going to school and doing the same amount of homework.
Otter Ridge Dreaming of Blue and Just a Dream
Alexandra's medium pony is Otter Ridge Dreaming of Blue, a Welsh cross, nine- year-old mare who's been with her rider two years. "Gidget," as she's called in the barn, "has a great personality and is really sweet and easy to ride," says Alexandra. "She's a princess, and she only likes certain people, like me and my mom, but she doesn't like to be 'man-handled.' She wants everyone in the room to notice her."
Lori adds that the pony "doesn't want you to rough and command her, or she gets very snooty, when really, there's nothing in the world she wouldn't do for you. She comes galloping to Alexandra. The two just clicked."
Alexandra remembers that going from her small to a medium pony was different, that she "had to grow into Gidget." Her mom says it was almost like Alexandra was being "pulled out of the tack, because she only weighed 50 pounds when she got Gidget."
Her first show pony, Just A Dream, is a 10-year-old English riding pony, a gelding, nicknamed, "J. D." The two compete in the small division.
"Once a year, he comes out and bucks, " observes Lori, "and tries to pretend he's a big, bad boy. But he does anything she asks him, for he's the ultimate safe packer, babysitter. He taught her to ride."
Alexandra also owns Mika, a green pony, and D. J., now coming four.
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