14-year-old horsewoman’s tenacity brings her success

Who would have guessed that a TV commercial would turn a little girl’s attention into a passion?

When Jordan Workman was 5, she saw a TV commercial “for a horse supplement or something.” But the horse jumping in the commercial caught the little girl’s imagination. The child began to beg her mother for a pony, but living in Alaska with a pony could be a challenge.

When Workman turned 7, the family moved to Nine Mile Falls, and Lisa, Jordan’s mother, caved in to the girl’s persistence. For her seventh birthday, Jordan got riding lessons, and she’s never looked back.

Today, the 14-year-old not only has her own show horse but a collection of 91 ribbons, 15 of them for first place, in shows all over Northwest. Taking the riding lessons, according to the young equestrian, opened up a whole new world to her. “When most people think of horses, they think of backyard,” she said. “But there is so much you can do with the horses. There is Kentucky Derby, English jumping, vaulting (where they actually do gymnastics on horses), all kinds of style of riding.”

Workman was hooked after her first lesson. Soon enough, she conquered every level of school horses Double Eagle Stable was providing. The time had come for Workman to have her own horse.

“That was when I came out of my retirement,” her mother said. “Now I work to support the horse.”

Bailey, the 12-year-old horse, and Jordan are inseparable. Every day after school she begged her mom to drive her to the stable to spend time with her horse.

In order to save money, Jordan learned to take care of her horse. She cleans stables and grooms Bailey, taking pains to make sure her horse is comfortable and happy. Most competitors would hand their horses to their groomers after a show. Not Workman. To her, having to take care of Bailey is a plus. It is a bonding experience. “After a while, the horse and you become one,” Workman said. “And that’s when the magic happens,” her mom said. She explained that in order to ride well the horse and rider need to have mutual trust. How does she juggle school and such an intense riding and competing schedule? “I plan ahead and do my homework ahead of time,” Workman said.

For her future, she wants to pursue something that is related to horses. The possibilities are endless.