Colorado youth cites teamwork for success in both rugby and riding

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Kyle Armstrong of Breckenridge, Colo., has been riding horses since she was only 2 years old. Ever since then, equestrian sports has occupied most of her extracurricular time. That was until shetraveled to Australia three years ago and discovered the sport of rugby.

Although Kyle is sporting a different uniform these days, "Jack" is still being shown by Halley, Kyle's little sister

In Australia, she had the opportunity to play rugby with the local youth and fell in love with the sport. When she returned to the states, she began playing for her high school. In April, Kyle was selected as one of the youngest players to be named to the Under-19 Girls U.S. National Rugby Team.

All the long hours Kyle spent as a youth equine competitor in the horse show ring are now paying off for the Colorado native. While rugby and showing horses seem unrelated to the casual observer, Kyle says they are very much alike.

“Through showing, I have learned a lot about responsibility and team work, which I also use in rugby, too,” Kyle said. “As an equine owner and exhibitor, you have to be responsible for the care of your horse.”

In much the same way, rugby players must support and help their teammates.

“Teamwork is the most important word in rugby. Without it, players cannot achieve their goals,” Armstrong said. “Showing also takes teamwork because riders and their horses need to count on each other.”

"Also, both sports require many hours of practice and dedication," she said.

“Showing and rugby both take focus, too,” continued Kyle. “If you don’t go into the show ring with the thought that you will do the best you can do, then you will never win. Rugby is the same way. If players go on the field without the passion to play, they will never be the best and will let their team down.”

Kyle, a member of the American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA), has been dedicated to the horse show ring for 15 years. So it came as a big surprise to her parents, when last fall their daughter decided to put showing on hold and concentrate on rugby. Although, Kyle’s mother, Mindy, was shocked at first, she now says, “I am very comfortable with Kyle’s choice to focus on rugby. Kyle knows that this is a great chance for her to get into a very good college and get a wonderful education while playing rugby.”

Although Kyle is as busy as ever, her 7-year-old bay overo Paint gelding, Brother Jack Daniels, is getting some rest. Armstrong gets to ride him only once or twice a week. She admits that it was a hard decision to cut down on her riding time.

“I miss it a lot,” Kyle said. “I love to ride and I love to show. Showing is so much fun and I miss spending time with my mom and sister at the shows.”

While her summer will be quite full of games and practices, she still plans to squeeze in a few 4-H horse shows in Colorado.

Kyle said she plans to play rugby while in college, but will return to more extensive equine showing after graduating.

“I plan to keep showing a little, but even more when I am older,” she explained. “Horse showing is really expensive and I want to be able to support myself and really appreciate it.”

Even though Kyle will not attend the World Championship Paint Horse Show this summer, her younger sister, Halley, and her mother, will travel to the Fort Worth event. Halley will ride Kyle’s horse, “Jack”, because her horse, Zips Honey Chip, has an injury. They will compete in hunter hack, hunter under saddle, hunt seat equitation, Western pleasure and horsemanship.

“I am very excited to go to the World Show this year,” said Halley, who is following in her big sister’s footsteps. “I am disappointed that Kyle is not coming to the World with me, but I know that she is pursuing her passion for rugby.”

More about the American Paint Horse
Among the many qualities that make Paint Horses desirable are their sound conformation, versatile athletic ability, intelligence, calm temperament, willing disposition and beautiful coat color patterns. For more information about the Paint Horse or the American Paint Horse Association and its activities and programs, visit apha.com, or call (817) 834-2742.

More about World Show
Each year, APHA hosts a World Championship Paint Horse Show to showcase the talents of American Paint Horses. It is 14 days of continuous horse show events with exhibitors from throughout the United States, Canada and other nations. For more information about the 2006 World Show, including a complete schedule and visitor information, visit aphaworldshow.com, or call (817) 834-2742.