2020 Youth & Mid Summer Nationals Show

Y O T H & M I D S U M M E R N AT I O N A L S

by ALLY EDWARDS

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W

hile most kids spend their summer at the pool or the beach, Arabian horse kids spend their July at Youth Nationals.

With so much uncertainty this year in everyone’s lives, including show season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a small miracle that Youth Nationals ran as planned at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, July 16-25. And with the cancellation of Canadian Nationals this year, amateur and open classes were added to the Youth schedule to make the first ever Mid Summer Nationals.

An exciting 1,200 horses entered into the joint nationals, drawing the top competition in every age group from all over the country.

By waiving the qualifications and adding adult classes, entry numbers doubled from last year’s Youth Nationals. Even with the usual Oklahoma heat, everyone was ready to mask up, sanitize, and do whatever it took to make this show happen. The dedication to the breed and the sport was apparent everywhere. Exhibitors coming to compete showed great support for the Arabian Horse Association

(AHA) and all their trainers in these hard times, while also curing their horse show withdrawals that had been setting with so many smaller shows being cancelled.

The youth of the industry provided a lot of hope for the future of the breed, their theme of “Be A Hero” most fitting. Their dedication to their horses and to the sport shone through in the talent they put forth in the ring. Each year, riders come back stronger, making the competition that much more exciting.

It was also encouraging to see the 10 and under classes bigger than previous years with new kids ready to dive into the world of showing Arabian horses. With every ride, good or bad, friends were waiting at the out-gate ready to give them words of congratulations or encouragement.

The sportsmanship between the young exhibitors is incomparable.

In addition to the incredible youth classes, the kids also got a peek at what the competition looks like in Tulsa at U.S. Nationals in the fall, with many of

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show began, and class sizes were large, spreading over three arenas. The dressage arena had to add an extra court due to so many entries. Many classes had section cuts filled with beautiful horse and rider teams. The judges had their work cut out for them in more ways than one, working extra-long hours some days, as well as picking national champions from deep fields of horses. The “Experience” classes, introduced last year, had a handful of entries introducing a new group of kids to showing at a top event. These classes hope to give new riders a taste of Youth Nationals before hopefully coming again next year and competing in the main classes.

Some Youth National traditions cannot be broken. Altered to ensure social distancing, activities included an ice cream social, a golden horseshoe scavenger hunt, a stick horse class for the little ones, and a dog costume class for all to enjoy. The Friends of Vail Foundation, headed by Susan and Chad Chance, handed out five scholarships to youth competitors that can be put toward their education fund in honor of their late daughter, Vail. The Hollywood Toi Foundation also sponsored eight riders’ Youth Nationals entries as well as a scholarship for the winners of the Arabian and Half-Arabian Saddle Seat Equitation classes, Rex White and Sophie Yih, in memory of the late champion equitation horse.

the amateur and open classes being close to the same size and including a lot of the same names that make an appearance at U.S. This added a whole new level to the Youth show and showed the kids that they don’t have to grow out of the horse phase. The elite level of competition seen at Youth Nationals only grows in the amateur and open divisions.

Although a quieter show than past years, with no outside spectators or big social events, as well as the absence of the beloved Hat Lady, fun was still had from the joy of being at a competition. The show kicked off with a clinic from Colby Powell on Ranch Riding where exhibitors could bring their horses and get coaching from one of the top working western trainers. Then the Ar abian Horse Times | 147 | Volume 51, No. 2

A long 10 days created countless memorable moments for everyone. Sophie Yih dominated every youth saddle seat division; full siblings Rizing Stock BF, Money Talks BF, and Chasing The Son BF (GSF Rizing Son x Callaway’s In The Money) took the top three spots, respectively, in the Half-Arabian Country Elite; everyone fell in love with little Carina Waggoner in the working western, especially during her short stirrup reining pattern; and Henrietta Ellzey, another rider that stole the show, experiencing her first riding lesson over the age of 65! She has inspired everyone that there is always time to try something new.

Exhibitors and trainers were extra grateful for the show staff this year. They put on a very successful show while dealing with many new changes and uncertain circumstances. One thing for sure, we love to show our horses and everyone was willing to work together to keep the show going as safely and smoothly as possible. It was a community effort to follow the new guidelines while also having fun with our barn families and horses. Here’s to Youth Nationals 2021 for more safe fun to be had, whether it be with or without masks!

Watch for full coverage in an upcoming issue!

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2020 Youth & Mid Summer Nationals ...

Raves & Reviews!

At the 2020 Youth Nationals show, I won ...

Champion Arabian Country English Pleasure JTR Elite Reserve Champion Arabian Country English Pleasure JOTR 14-18 Reserve Champion H/A Country English Pleasure Elite JTR Top Tens in ‌ H/A Country English Pleasure JOTR 14-18 Arabian and H/A Saddle Seat Equitation JTR 14-18 Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... the excitement of being at a show and seeing all my show friends!

If I could change one thing about the show, it would be ... less downtime; so, if possible, making it a couple days shorter.

HADLEY AMES Farm Affiliation: Cedar Ridge Arabians/Shino Training Center/ Vicki Humphrey Training Center

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? I think it was a great opportunity for everyone to show, but in the future, maybe the adults could show at the beginning or end, and not be mixed in with the youth.

At the 2020 Youth Nationals show, I won ...

Champion H/A English Pleasure Select JTR Reserve Champion H/A Park JTR Reserve Champion H/A Country English Pleasure Select JTR 14-18 Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... was the experience! Having put in all the hard work to see the great result was very rewarding.

My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was ... H/A English Pleasure Elite.

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? Yes, I think it was really fun and a good experience having everyone combined together!

LILI CARABETTA Farm Affiliation: Vicki Humphrey Training Center Ar abian Horse Times | 149 | Volume 51, No. 2

At the 2020 Youth Nationals show, I won ...

Champion H/A Mounted Native Costume JOTR Champion H/A Mounted Native Costume JTR 14-18 Reserve Champion Arabian Mounted Native Costume JOTR Reserve Champion Arabian Country Pleasure Driving JTD Top Ten Arabian Mounted Native Costume JTR 14-18 Top Ten Arabian English Show Hack JOTR Top Ten H/A English Show JOTR Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... was improving in each one of my classes.

EMILY ROSE HOLDEN Farm Affiliation: Stachowski Farm

My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was ... the H/A Park JTR class. It is always such a fun and exciting class to watch.

If I could change one thing about the show, it would be ... that my father could have come and watched me at my last Youth Nationals.

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? Some parts of having youth and adults together were fine. However, the schedule changes required to make this possible, made my schedule with my horses that ride in a lot of specialty classes extremely difficult. I think youth riders deserve to have their own show, just like U.S.

At the 2020 Youth Nationals show, I won ...

Champion UPHA Challenge Cup 14-17 Champion HA Saddle Seat Equitation 14-18 Unanimous Champion H/A English Pleasure Elite Champion H/A English Pleasure JOTR 14-18 Champion H/A Park Unanimous Champion H/A Pleasure Driving Champion Arabian Country Pleasure Driving Reserve Champion Arabian Saddle Seat Equitation 14-18 Reserve Champion Arabian English Pleasure Elite Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... Cash Roberts falling in the lake during our fishing adventure.

CONNOR KOCH Farm Affiliation: Vicki Humphrey Training Center

My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was ... H/A Park; that’s always a lot of fun to watch!

If I could change one thing about the show, it would be ... the location; OKC is like a sauna!

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? I didn’t mind having adults there at all, but it made the days at the show much longer due to more classes. Some days it would be midnight until the show was over. This made for later practice rides, making me very exhausted and tired after some days.

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At the 2020 Youth Nationals show, I won ...

Champion H/A Hunter Pleasure JTR Elite Champion H/A Hunter Pleasure JOTR 14-18 Champion H/A Ladies Side Saddle English JOTR Champion Arabian Hunter Pleasure JTR Elite Top Tens in Arabian Park, English and Hunter Pleasure Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... getting to spend quality time with my parents and trainers.

My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was ... the Arabian Hunter Pleasure open. All of the horses in it were beautiful!

If I could change one thing about the show, it would be ... to make it shorter, or to put the kids in one week and the adults in another, like they do at Scottsdale.

BIANCA MASSMAN

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? Yes, because I think it brought a lot more people to the show that I think wouldn’t have come otherwise.

Farm Affiliation: Heritage Arabian Farm/Stachowski Farm

At the 2020 Youth Nationals show, I won ...

Champion H/A Hunter Pleasure JOTR 13 & Under Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... riding my horses and seeing my friends.

My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was ... Hunter Pleasure Open.

If I could change one thing about the show, it would be ... no coronavirus!

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? I enjoyed it, but I would prefer not combining.

ANNA ELIZABETH MONTPETIT Farm Affiliation: Whistlejacket Farm

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2020 Youth & Mid Summer Nationals ...

Raves & Reviews!

At the 2020 Youth Nationals show, I won ...

Champion Arabian English Pleasure JTR Select Reserve Champion Arabian Park JTR Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... was getting to spend time with my family and my horse, and overall growing as a rider.

My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was ... the H/A Park with CSP Hot Dam (aka Bentley). I’ve always loved watching him, he’s so cool to watch.

If I could change one thing about the show, it would be ... having the adult classes.

I understand why they did it due to Covid, but it was still disappointing.

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? I did not enjoy it. I feel like it took away from the point of Youth Nationals and I like having a superstar show for youth just like U.S. is only for adults.

KATHERINE NUTTER Farm Affiliation: John White Stables

At the 2020 Youth Nationals show, I won ...

Champion H/A Hunter Pleasure JTR Select 14-18 Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... getting to catch ride a 4-year-old gelding and making the split in equitation with him!

My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was ... the H/A Park Horse Open.

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? Yes, because I was able to watch my horse show in the Jr. Horse class which is usually not offered at Youth Nationals. I think combining youth and adults would also make the show more accessible for families that share horses between parents and children.

SCARLETT ROBERTS Farm Affiliation: Stachowski Farm Ar abian Horse Times | 152 | Volume 51, No. 2

At the 2020 Youth Nationals, I won ...

Unanimous Champion UPHA Challenge Cup Walk/Trot 10 & Under Champion Saddle Seat Equitation Walk/Trot 10 & Under Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... was getting to see some of my friends and watch other riders.

My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was ... the UPHA Challenge Cup 14-17.

If I could change one thing about the show, it would be ... NOT WEARING MASKS!!!!

JACQUELINE SCHATZBERG Farm Affiliation: Shino Training Center

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? I enjoyed seeing some of the classes, but I would rather have it just youth riders because the adults have U.S. Nationals.

At the 2020 Youth Nationals show, I won ...

Reserve Champion A/HA/AA English Pleasure Walk/Trot 10 & Under Top Ten H/A Saddle Seat Equitation Walk/Trot 10 & Under Top Ten Arabian Western Seat Equitation Walk/Jog 10 & Under Top Ten Arabian Western Pleasure Walk/Jog 10 & Under Top Ten H/A Western Seat Equitation Walk/Jog 10 & Under Top Ten H/A Walk/Trot 10 & Under Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... my mom seeing me show.

If I could change one thing about the show, it would be ... cooler weather and no Covid!

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? Yes. I like watching and learning from riders I don’t normally see.

PATIENCE STANFILL SCHIMMEL PRESTIGE FARMS LLC

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At the 2020 Youth Nationals show, I won ...

National Champion Arabian Native Costume JTR 13 & Under Reserve Champion H/A Country English Pleasure Choice JTR Reserve Champion Arabian Country English Pleasure Choice JTR Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... was getting to ride with literally every trainer from Stachowski’s Ohio farm.

My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was ... RA Extraordinare and Katie Harvey in the Arabian English AATR. If I could change one thing about the show, it would be ... before this year, Youth was perfect the way it was!

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? I would be perfectly fine with combining youth and adults together, but I think the Mid Summer show should not be considered a Nationals show.

HALEY WALDSCHMIDT Farm Affiliation: Stachowski Farm

At the 2020 Youth Nationals show, I won ...

7 National Championships and 2 Reserve National Championships.

Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... I love being back at a show and seeing faces I rarely see.

My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was ... Barcelona BF in the amateur driving with Rhein Standish.

If I could change one thing about the show, it would be ... I think the show went great, especially considering a few months ago we were unsure if we would even be able to compete this year at Youth Nationals because of Covid.

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? I did really like the idea of combining adult and youth riders together. All of the new faces I saw attend for both was something I truly enjoyed. I hope they continue this in the future.

REX WHITE JOHN WHITE STABLES

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At the 2020 Youth Nationals show, I won …

Champion Arabian Saddle Seat Equitation JTR 14-18 Champion Arabian Park JTR Champion Arabian English Pleasure JOTR 14-18 Champion Arabian Country English Pleasure JOTR 14-18 Champion Arabian English Show Hack JOTR Champion Arabian English Show Hack JTR 14-18 Champion H/A Country English Pleasure Elite JTR Reserve Champion UPHA Arabian Breeds Challenge Cup Reserve Champion H/A Saddle Seat Equitation JTR 14-18 Top Ten Arabian English Pleasure JTR Elite Top Ten HA English Show Hack JTR 14-18 My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was … Half-Arabian Park; it is always fun to watch!

SOPHIE YIH Farm Affiliation: Stachowski Farm

If I could change one thing about the show, it would be … during Youth, there have been fun activities like the Chuck A Duck fundraiser. I would love to see more fundraisers like that.

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? I really feel like it brought a bit more excitement to the show and it gave me a bit more to watch.

At the 2020 Mid Summer Nationals show ...

Enzperation XX won the Arabian Western Pleasure Open with Joe Reser CEA Comfortably Numb won Reserve Champion H/A Western Pleasure Open with Joe Reser I won Reserve Champion H/A Country English Pleasure Elite with Money Talks BF Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... beyond it being a great show for Shamrock Farms, was Eloise Standish in the Lead Line class. Seeing the horse show through the eyes of a child is an amazing view!

CARRIE DORAN FRITZ SHAMROCK FARMS

My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was ... hands down, Barcelona BF in the Arabian Pleasure Driving class with Rhein Standish for Boisvert Farms.

If I could change one thing about the show, it would be ... the negative comments on social media from people who weren’t there.

It was a great show and you could feel the excitement and sense of community there.

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? I loved getting the opportunity to watch the Youth show. There are some very talented horsemen and women coming up in this breed!

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KIMBERLY JARVIS Farm Affiliation: Stachowski Farm/C. Jarvis Insurance Agency Inc.

At the 2020 Youth and Mid Summer Nationals show ... I won no prizes, but reclaimed the joy of seeing youth and adults all competing at a national show together in the USA. Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... seeing horses and riders that I have not seen compete in a very long time.

My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was ... the Half-Arabian Country Pleasure AOTR. If I could change one thing about the show, it would be ... call out the top ten in place order, leaving reserve and champion for last. Top tens do not need to remain in the ring while the top two are having photos taken. Presentation time would be reduced significantly.

Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? Yes, I enjoyed it very much!

At the 2020 Mid Summer Nationals show, I won ...

Champion Arabian Ladies Side Saddle Western Top Ten Arabian Western Pleasure Open Top Ten H/A Ladies Side Saddle Western Top Ten Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle Junior Horse Performance Halter and Sport Horse In-Hand with amateurs Other than my wins, the highlight of the show for me ... spending time with my peers. I think with the length of time combining the shows gave more time for schooling horses in specific arenas and provided a more relaxed show from start to finish. It also gave us the opportunity to spend some quality time together. We are all certainly survivors.

MARTHA RATTNER RATTNER BLOODSTOCK

My favorite class or horse at the show, not my own, was ... Barcelona BF in the Arabian Pleasure Driving.

If I could change one thing about the show, it would be ... the heat. It was hard on the horses and people. Other than that, it was like back to the future in my opinion. All of the classes were there like Canada, only better and more entries.

More like 1992 Louisville USN. Did you enjoy combining youth and adults together, and would you like to see this continue in the future? I think this was possibly a one-time only situation.

I am certainly in favor of the opportunity to show as if we were at Canadian Nationals without having the drive and summer being over when you get home.

The dates allow you much more time and still have more of a show season for other clients. n

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Anna MONTPETIT and

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national cha m pion to p ten Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure JOTR

13 & Under

Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure JTR Choice Half-Arabian Hunter Seat Eq. Not To Jump JTR 13 & Under

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Arabian Hunter Pleasure JOTR 13 & Under Arabian Hunter Pleasure JTR Choice

WHISTLEJACKET FARM Wendy Potts | Alvarado, Texas

Dan McConaughey | Hudson, Wisconsin