50 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Alexis Rappaport
Alexis and Valkenier competing.
“We are proud to have a talented
and inspirational young rider such as
Alexis on our team and supporting the
OnTyte Magnetic Stirrup System.”
and Junior Rider
Extraordinaire
By Dani Moritz
Looking at the Junior Rider News Facebook group, you would
think it’s a product of years of marketing experience and tons of
social media seminars. But, you would be wrong.
The group, which has nearly 8,000 members and nonstop
interaction, is the brainchild of 15 year-old Alexis Rappaport, a
junior rider from Berwyn, Pennsylvania.
Started simply as a place for her riding friends, the group
quickly became the place to be for young riders across the country
-- with riders from every discipline represented. “We just started
the group and people have just been adding their friends...and
then their friends will add their friends and that’s how it’s been
growing,” Alexis said.
Because of the vast amount of interest, Alexis made the group
closed so that members have to ask to be invited. This way Alexis
can monitor the group better to ensure members are all actual
horse enthusiasts.
On a day-today basis, the group’s wall fourishes with pictures,
questions, tack and horses for sale and positive interaction. “It’s
basically just a way for everyone, all of the juniors or people who
are trying to reach juniors, to come together on one page,” Alexis
said.
Alexis’ group has even infuenced the USEF jacket rule to
be amended to allow all jumper riders to wear protective vests
instead of jackets if they would like to.
Due to popular demand, Alexis has recently started a partner
Facebook group called Junior Rider News - Critiques where
members can help each other evaluate their riding. She has also
recently started an Instagram account for more photo sharing
along with a YouTube Channel.
But, social media isn’t Alexis’ only strong suite. She’s also an
accomplished rider.
Alexis has dabbled in eventing, hunters and jumpers, but has
found her passion to be jumpers. “I was doing the jumpers during
the winter...and I really liked the jumpers and I was doing both
for a while, but in order to move up in either eventing or jumpers
I needed to do just one discipline so I’m taking a break from
eventing.”
Some of her career highlights include qualifying for the
American Eventing Championships, a champion title at The
Hampton Classic, winning the Marshall and Sterling Children’s/
Adult Jumper class at Monmouth County Horse Show in New
Jersey and placing third in the Zone 2 Jumper Championships.
“It is very rewarding for a parent to see their children succeed
and I am very proud of her,” said Craig Rappaport, Alexis’ dad.
“Horseback riding is a tough sport and takes a huge amount of
time, effort, desire and discipline and when you see your child
have success, large or small, it makes you very proud.”
Alexis’ success in the ring and her ability to bring people
together has also earned Alexis several sponsors, including
OnTyte Magnetic Stirrups, Dover Saddlery, Point Two Air Vests,
SSG Gloves and Kerrits Equestrian Apparel and more. For many
of these companies, Alexis is the youngest sponsored rider in
their history.
“Alexis success in riding comes from hard work,” said Craig.
“She spends an enormous amount of time trying to improve and I
think most can relate to that. Junior riders all have that in common
and the love of horses brings them together in a way that I don’t
think non-horse people can relate to. I think that’s what brings the
entire equestrian community together. The fact that so many have
joined the group shows me the bond that riders all share and want
to share with each other.”
Alexis looks forward to a career in jumpers and news - which is
her second passion. “I’m interested in becoming a news reporter
so I actually interview a lot of horse riders...and I post them on the
YouTube channel so I get a little practice for my future career.”
Photos by Craig Rappaport
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