Jordan, 18, is currently a high school senior. Although she enjoys school and spending time with her friends, her primary interest remains with her horses. Jordan began riding when she was 4 years old, and she began learning to jump with her pony, Lulu, when she was 7.

Although Jordan continued to work with Lulu, her focus shifted to riding and showing Paso Fino horses. Jordan won numerous regional and national championships on her mare, La Valia de Fe. She also brought home many ribbons and trophies showing Valia and several other Paso's bred and raised on the Irvan's farm.

When Jordan was 13, however, her focus returned to jumping, and she began seriously training and competing in jumping events. In 2007, Ernie and Kim purchased a Holsteiner mare named Veredus Lady (Vera) for Jordan, and the two bonded very quickly. Since then, Jordan has competed with Vera in NC, SC, VA, GA, KY, TN, NJ, MA, NH, FL, and Canada.

In November, 2010, Jordan suffered an injury during a competition in TN and was unable to compete during the winter months. She's riding and doing well now and we're happy to report she had a great return to the ring in Florida in April in her first show back from the injury.

Jordan gets her love of horses from her Mom. "I think I have always loved horses," said Kim. "I purchased my first Paso Fino, La Chevela (Chevy) in 1992. She wasn't good in competition, but she was a great mare for children and proved to be a lifelong companion for the farm. Also added to the Paso Fino herd was Springtime Princesa who became the matriarch of the farm and provided us with many national champion offspring. Sadly, we recently lost her at the age of 25, and she's buried here on our property."

"We've downsized in the number of horses we have now since we are no longer showing or breeding Paso Fino's. We still have Jordan's mares, Lulu and Valia, and they will have a home with us for the rest of their lives," said Kim. The Irvan's also have Vera and another jumper, Abless, who is a Belgium warm-blood.

In addition to riding and competing, Jordan is very busy visiting colleges and universities across the country and trying to decide where she would like to apply. Jordan and Kim traveled from Phoenix to California after Jared's races to check out some campuses there. They toured colleges from San Diego to San Jose. They also visited with Ernie's sister, Cheryl and her son, Joey, in Monterey and even found time for a little shopping!