Competitive teen projects bright future

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Ashlee Copeland, 16, offers a big smile as she poses with her horse Shadow. Copeland has been putting her skills to the test in competitions since she was 2-years-old. She has been working with Shadow for only six months, but the duo have already picked up some great wins. She and Shadow are scheduled to compete at the state 4-H competitions in Abilene, July 23-30. -- Staff photo by Monette Taylor

July 21, 2005 - It must be great to be Ashlee Copeland of Elgin. Although she is only 16-years-old, her numerous skills and love of horses offer her many choices for careers. Ashlee will be a sophomore at Elgin High, this year, after having been home-schooled for a couple of years.

As the oldest daughter of Jena Diebel, it was pretty much a "given" that Ashlee would grow up loving horses. During the 1980s, Diebel and her horses placed fourth in the nation and went to the World Horse Show three times. As a young child, Ashlee was in her first competition at 2-years-old, and … laughingly … said she was still wearing her "pull-ups!"

Today, Ashlee is a beautiful, young woman who competes in 4-H with her horse, Shadow, whom she's only had since last December, and two of her dogs.

When Ashlee, and her mom and step-dad, started looking for a new horse, Jena said they had e-mails from all over, advertising horses. After talking with a Bastrop trainer they have used for years, he mentioned a horse he'd had for about seven years, which had some training, but had never been in shows. He was destined to be named Shadow.

"As soon as I rode him (Shadow) the first time, I just loved him. Everyone said we looked so good, together!" said Ashlee, smiling.

After having Shadow only one week, Ashlee entered them in what would be their first competition … and they did great! Ashlee and her mom each say that Ashlee and Shadow have similar personalities and really understand each other well.

Ashlee has ridden Shadow in a number of competitions, including showmanship, horsemanship, equitation, Western pleasure, hunter under saddle, Western riding, hunter hack, and trail. Recently, Ashlee competed in District 10 4-H Horse Show and won first place in showmanship at halter, Western riding, and a reserve champion win in the judged horseman event.

On July 23-30, the duo will compete in the state 4-H competitions being held in Abilene. Hopefully, she will continue on to regionals in Montgomery, Ala., to compete with riders from seven other states. (During two, earlier competitions, Ashlee said she … accidentally … flew over her horse's head and landed on her feet, giving her the "nick-name" of "Trick Rider" with her family!)

During the summer, Ashlee said she rides between six and seven hours a week, due to the heat. When cooler weather arrives, you will find Ashlee riding twice a day, several hours a day … and she still makes excellent grades!

Although Ashlee has already received a scholarship from the San Antonio Open Horse Show, she isn't sure where she'll attend college, which is very important to her. She plans to minor in some field of agriculture. She has already worked as a professional model, is a very good artist, and has a voice that is reminiscent of Sheryl Crow. Ashlee has already performed as a singer at the Pecan Street Festival on 6th Street in Austin, the Aqua Fest in Austin, the Riverwalk in San Antonio, and in Fort Worth.

There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to allow Ashlee to pursue all of her talents, but horses will always be a big part of her life … no matter what other choices she makes in a career.

"When I can be on a horse … everything just goes away. That's why I love riding my horse," smiled Ashlee.

It will be interesting to see where and what Ashlee Copeland achieves in her life. You can bet it will be good!