U.S. Nationals And when Joel gets asked why U.S. Nationals is such an important show, he simply replies with, “Come on, really?” But soon, he follows up with, “It’s the only place they give out those silver trophies, and because of that, it means a lot. And it’s the end of the year; it’s your last crack at whatever it is you’re wanting to do. At U.S. Nationals, it’s everybody—everybody shows up. There’s not one horse that’s missing and you know that it’s going to be the best of the best and I just love that. To me, nationals is like climbing Mount Everest every year. It’s my biggest challenge and it’s a lot of work, but I love it.”
Splashdown WB and Joel Gangi.
“The most meaningful win for me was the Arabian Country English Pleasure Futurity Championship on Splashdown WB. Walter and Barbara, owners of Splashdown, are my oldest clients. They have been breeding horses for about 25 years and although they have won reserve national champion with their get several times, this was their first U.S. national championship. It was truly a very special win.”
GREAT EXXPECTATIONS: A PUREBRED CHAMPIONSHIP The Arabian park championship is one of the must-see classes at U.S. Nationals. A class with past winners like Matoi, Apollopalooza, Aequus, and so many more greats, it is a class with historical significance and excitement. This year’s winner, Exxpectations, ridden by Strawberry Banks trainer Brian Murch, was a true vision. Murch shares, “He was just—great. I haven’t actually ridden that horse under
—Joel Gangi
Taking the whole U.S. Nationals into consideration, Joel had several big moments on some very big horses. For the second time, Joel and his wife, Ashton, were first and second in the country junior horse. Also, in the purebred AEPA class, they finished first and third. “For that class, horses leave one at a time according their order. So, when we were standing there and there was only three horses left, it was great fun and super exciting; she did such an awesome job and it’s just fun to see and be a part of.” Two more big wins came on VJ Royal Heir and Emperors Fire, the latter being earned through a legendary work-off between Joel on Emperor and Jim Stachowski on Nutcracker Sweet PF. Joel shares, “The work-offs, they’re nerve-wracking, but I’ve been on both sides of it. The scales can tip your way or the other, and they tipped my way this time, so that was great. You can’t ever reproduce the amount of adrenaline and excitement that you get when you find out that they’re about to call you out again for the work-off. It’s just incredible. It raises the game, for sure.”
Exxpectations and Brian Murch
saddle since he was a three-year-old when I showed him in the purebred English futurities. Since then, I have driven him for the last four years. But this past winter, I decided I was going to ride him a little bit again. He felt great and had improved in his suspension and his stride, so I decided that park was maybe going to be a good class for him.” As a former country English pleasure and driving horse, winning national championships in the latter, Brian brought Exxpectations to two other shows this past show season as a park horse before continuing on to U.S.
Volume 44, No. 7 | 129