Posted: 8/14/02

A cut above: Carpender and horses rise to the top

Branden Peterson
Sports Intern

Riding horses doesnít require a rider to sweat profusely, to condition to the extreme, or spend countless hours pumping iron in the weight room. But for Valerie Carpender, horse showing is just as competitive as any sport.

The 2001 graduate of Forest Lake High School has shown her horses for more than 10 years, and every time she saddles one of her horses, the competition starts to get nervous.

ìI donít have all the fancy stuff stables do,î the 18-year-old daughter of Barb and Tom Carpender said.

ìYet Iím able to go out there with what I have and still do really well. Iím very competitive, and when I drive in to an event, I can make them (the competition) say, ìuh oh.î

Carpenderís dozens of trophies and hundreds of ribbons once filled a room. At least, until the room was full.

True, Carpender and her four horses (soon to be five) have provided enough colored ribbons and golden trophies for house decorations. Her first riding days began on a Welsh pony, Cinder, until her growth developed a need for a larger horse.

Skipper, a red roan quarter horse, was the answer to Carpenderís needs. Now 12-years-old, Skipper and Carpender have competed in hundreds of competitions all over Minnesota and the five-state region.

Carpender describes Skipper as another member of her family.

ìHeís just like a person. He doesnít like to be penned up all the time. He likes to roam around the yard, or come up and beg by the doorstep.î

As for Skipperís competitive passion, Carpender again is thankful for the dependable teammate.

ìHeís been unbeatable. Iím really proud to say that heís taking me everywhere Iíve wanted to go.... Every one wants a horse like Skipper.î

Carpenderís many years of showing horses has also been shared between two more horses, Bailey, a pregnant quarter horse, and Cutter, a 6-year-old chestnut.

Cutter and Carpender spend many hours training and honing the skills that brought dividends to Carpender and Skipperís run at trophies. But the young Forest Lake rider explains, riding Cutter requires much more patience and time.

ìCutter is a little more of an athlete,î she said. ìHeíll do anything you can throw at him. But I donít have the same connection I have with Skipper with him. But heís getting there.î

ìCutterís not a bad horse, he just takes a little patience.î

Patience may be the key in having a close relationship between rider and horse needed to succeed in riding competitions. Carpender is a firm believer.

ìOne important part is that you have to develop a relationship with the horse in order to become a working function.î

Now an experienced veteran, Carpender still loves the competition, loves the horses, and the art of riding in front of the best riders around.

ìEvery time you line up with your horse, and you hear the announcer say ëfirst placeí, itís an amazing feeling.î Carpender explained. ìBut if you donít hear it, then you say to yourself, ëgeez, Iíve really got to work on stuff.íî

And Carpender goes back to work with her beautiful four-legged teammates. Instruction and learning can be difficult however, and the young woman has had the assistance of long time horse-riding coach Pam Foshay.

ìWithout her, I know I couldnít be where I am,î Carpender says of her coach. ìSheís taught me everything I could need to know. I couldnít have learned more. Sheís really one of the best horse people around.î

Whether preparing for a competition, spending time with friends riding her horses down country roads and fields, or taking time out of her busy schedule to teach young children about horse showing, Carpender only has one goal, put on a smile and enjoy the moment.

ìHorse showing has really taught me some valuable lessons in life,î Carpender said. ìNot only has it taught me how to compete fairly, be a good sport, and to work hard in a sport, but to also have fun doing it. I wouldnít do it if it wasnít fun.î

Showing horses will have to take a backseat soon, as Carpender leaves home for college. She will be attending an art school in Minneapolis with dreams of earning a degree in commercial art and design.

Pledging to return home often enough to keep her horses from missing her too much, Carpender knows sheíll miss showing her horses.

With so many ribbons filling her home, maybe her dorm room walls can take some of the extras.

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