InStride Edition - August 2023

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of Gypsys Little Image, who not only brought them tremendous success in the show pen but now has been the AQHA Leading Sire of Western Pleasure horses for the past four years.

“Carl Yamber told me this horse will change the Western Pleasure industry and Machine Made can take credit for doing just that,” Hall said.

Machine Made’s offspring have now recorded over three million dollars in earnings.

“We knew we loved Hershel as an individual and as a show horse, but he has been such a strong breeder, stamping his babies with talent and heart,” Hall said. “It would be near impossible for me to ride anything else. They just have something my heart needs.”

And so they go in search of promising Machine Made offspring and sometimes the youngsters just find them.

Take Queen Ov Hearts. From the first moment they watched her lope around, effortlessly with self carriage and the softest legs, they knew they wanted her.

“When you see one with that s

They say the journey is the reward and what a journey it has been. In fact, Dr. Candice Hall and Dr. Cory Seebach, of Black Creek, British Columbia, Canada, say a bay stallion by the name of Machine Made, absolutely changed their lives.

The first time Hall and Seebach ever laid eyes on “Hershel” was at the Southern Belle Futurity and the late Carl Yamber was about to show him for the first time in the Novice Horse Western Pleasure Slot Class.

“It’s like it was yesterday,” Hall said. “He took my breath away. My heart started pounding. I looked at Cory and said ‘I have to have him.’”

The funny thing about Hall and Seebach, who recently celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary, is that there’s one personality trait they share and that’s when they believe in something so strongly (like has always been the case with Machine Made) they become single mindedly, absolutely committed to embrace the journey.

That’s the way it is with the 2007 bay stallion by A Good Machine and out

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Halter breaking is a crucial step in a horse’s early training that lays the groundwork for their future behavior and learning. Breeders use different methods and techniques to achieve this, each tailored to their specific goals and priorities. Some focus on safety and gentle handling to ensure the well-being of both the horse and handlers.

Others place importance on thorough training and teaching essential skills. With various approaches available, one trait remains the same among breedersthey are dedicated to providing each foal with a solid foundation for each foal they produce.

These four experienced breeders bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table when it comes to halter breaking techniques. With years of practice and hands-on experience, they have fine-tuned their approaches to ensure the safety, well-being, and successful training of foals. Through their diverse perspectives, they shed light on the importance of proper halter breaking and provide guidance for establishing a strong foundation in foals from the very beginning.

Meagan Dean

Meagan Dean, an experienced breeder with 15 years under her belt at Dean Quarter Horses in Whitesboro, Texas, has honed her halter breaking techniques to accommodate her physical challenges as a wheelchair user. Safety and gentle handling are paramount in her approach, as both she and her mother, Julie, handle the mares themselves.

“Any mare that will not tolerate my wheelchair, unfortunately, doesn’t stay very long in my program simply because it's a matter of safety,” Dean explained.

“We want to make sure that these mares are going to be gentle around both my mom and me because we both have disabilities and it's just us that are handling them, for the most part.”

“When we bring them back from their little turnout, we go ahead and take the halter off and spend time teaching them to be patient and not bolt off during the haltering and un-haltering process,” said Meagan Dean.

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Her advice to fellow breeders is to actively seek knowledge.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn as much as you can,” she said. “You can learn a lot from watching YouTube videos, picking and choosing what works best for you, or talking to experienced individuals in the industry. We were all beginners once, and most of us are happy to help.”

Nancy Kunkel

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Dean’s process begins early, allowing the mare and foal to bond while gradually introducing human touch, including acclimating the foals to halter wearing. By day three, the foals become familiar with haltering process, eventually leaving the halter on.

The use of a properly fitted leather foal halter is crucial.

As the foals venture outdoors, Dean shifts her focus towards molding them into well-behaved individuals.

“When we bring them back from their little turnout, we go ahead and take the halter off and spend time teaching them to be patient and not bolt off during the haltering and un-haltering process,” she said.

Repetition and consistency play a vital role in their training.

“They seem to do a lot better when we keep them on a schedule like this and repeat the process. It becomes normal for them,” Dean added.

Around day five, a butt rope is introduced to familiarize the foals with moving away from pressure. While Julie takes charge of this task, Meagan ensures that the foals learn to respond to head pressure and take steps forward.

“I don't want to end up with a foal trying to climb into my chair with me,” she said.

Within one to two weeks, she can confidently halter them, apply light pressure on their head, and guide their movements.

Dean’s top priority is establishing a solid foundation and meeting key benchmarks before progressing to the next steps. Notably, her thorough halter breaking process yields respectful, quiet, and trainable horses – a testament to her dedication. Trainers consistently acknowledge the remarkable traits of horses from her program.

“When we first started out, we were newbies. We didn’t know much, and we've developed this process over time,” she said.

Nancy Kunkel, a highly regarded breeder from Bedford, Kentucky, has dedicated an impressive five decades to the Quarter Horse industry alongside her late husband, Paul. As the owner and operator of Windy Ridge Farm, Kunkel has made a name for herself by specializing in the breeding of exceptional western all-around horses, with her legacy marked by numerous World and Congress champions. Currently, she breeds around 10 mares a year, but in the past, this number has been as high as 20.

Kunkel’s approach to halter breaking her foals is a testament to her unwavering commitment to their wellbeing. All of her foals are born at Southern Indiana Equine under the watchful eye of equine veterinarian Amy Youngblood. Kunkel ensures that her foals develop essential skills within the first month of their lives. These skills include learning to yield to pressure, showing respect towards humans, and maintaining patience.

When it comes to the early stages of halter breaking, Kunkel adheres to a specific routine.

“I put the halters on the babies until the mares get bred back,” she explained. “Once they’re checked in foal, I put them out to pasture without a halter. The babies need to be social and have the opportunity to interact with other foals.”

As the weaning process begins, the foals are brought into individual stalls and once again start wearing halters. However, these halters now come equipped with drag ropes, typically measuring around three feet in length. The weanlings spend their days turned out together in a one to two-acre pasture, each with their own drag rope.

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Meagan Dean is pictured on the opposite page with her mare, Maybe he Best with her 2017 No Doubt Im Lazy Filly. All of the mares she and her mom own must be gentle because they both have disabilities. The same goes for the foals. Above Meagan’s mom, Julie, leads KM Best Of The Best with her 2021 faol by No Doubt Im Lazy. Their training process begins early allowing the mare and foal to bond but introducing the human touch.

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“If they pull against me, I’ll just hold pressure,” Katie Van Slyke Mabry said. “Obviously, you’re going to have to have some finesse with this. They don’t really understand what you’re asking, and you don’t want them to overreact and flip over.”

“They go around fine, and they'll step on each other’s rope, and they don't panic,” she said. “They just stand there like, ‘OK, somebody’s going to move pretty soon and I’ll get to go.’ In 50 years of doing this, I’ve never had one even get a slight rope burn.”

Kunkel's meticulous attention to detail ensures the safety and comfort of her foals during this crucial training phase.

After approximately six weeks of daily handling, the weanlings have acclimated to their new lives without their dams by their side. They have undergone necessary procedures such as hoof trimming and vaccine updates.

At this point, Kunkel believes it is time for the foal’s transition from spending their nights indoors to living outside full-time. She firmly believes that allowing the foals to grow up in a natural environment, under the watchful eye of a babysitter mare, instills invaluable life lessons that cannot be replicated.

One key factor that sets Kunkel’s breeding program apart is her emphasis on selecting calm and well-minded mares.

"The most important thing in anybody’s breeding program is the mares,” she said. “All of my mares are good-minded, and that temperament is passed down to their offspring."

Kunkel encourages aspiring breeders by saying, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn as much as you can. We were all just starting out at one point, and most of us are happy to help.”

Katie Van Slyke Mabry

Katie Van Slyke Mabry, residing in Nolensville, Tennessee, may be a relatively new player in the breeding business, but she brings decades of experience to the table.

Operating Running Springs Quarter Horses alongside her parents, Terri and Matt Van Slyke, Mabry strives to produce high-quality AQHA allaround horses through their carefully managed breeding program. Mabry's deep-rooted passion for breeding traces back to her father’s early years working on a walking horse breeding farm. The 34 | INSTRIDE EDITION | AUGUST 2023

family’s commitment to tradition is evident, as they still utilize equipment, such as halters, that have been passed down through the years.

“It’s pretty cool that I'm not just doing this with lessons learned from my own experiences, but with experiences from before I was even born” she said.

With a smaller foal crop compared to larger breeding farms, only breeding three to five mares each year, Mabry can provide more personalized attention to each foal. When it comes to halter breaking, she allows the mare and foal to bond undisturbed during the first day. However, by the second day, the foals begin their journey of learning to wear a halter and lead.

“All of our babies start with this little yellow halter, it's probably 50 years old at this point,” she said. “It just goes around the ears and the muzzle with no jaw strap. I don’t know how many babies have worn this halter by now.”

In the initial stages, Mabry employs the ‘suitcase method’ of leading.

This technique involves using a long, soft lead rope that crosses over the foal’s rear and chest, providing better control and allowing for the application of pressure when necessary.

Throughout this process, the foal continues to wear the familiar yellow halter, gradually becoming accustomed to its presence during short walks to the arena or paddock. As the foals grow more accustomed to pressure, Mabry transitions to using only a butt rope.

“When we do things this way, by the time they’re two weeks old, you’re having a very easy time leading them out with their mama to the pasture,” she said.

Teaching manners and instilling respect are integral aspects of Mabry's approach. However, she is careful not to rush the foals’ progress. Initially, the focus is on guiding them from point A to point B. As time progresses, Mabry adopts a more patient approach during walks to the pasture or arena, no longer immediately removing their halters.

“If they pull against me, I'll just hold pressure,” she explained. “Obviously, you’re going to have to have some finesse with this. They don't really understand what you’re asking, and you don't want them to overreact and flip over.

But they do start to learn how to give. The biggest thing is to take it slow and not ask for too much at once.”

Mabry’s deliberate and steady method has consistently yielded well-mannered and cooperative show horses. By establishing a foundation of ease, normalcy, and respect from the very beginning, the foals develop a solid groundwork by the time they are weaned. This solid foundation proves beneficial in various aspects of their handling and training, whether it’s preparing them for the longe line, tying them or even holding them for the farrier.

Branson Buckalew

Based in Vernal, Utah, Branson Buckalew is the proud owner and operator of Buckalew Show Horses. His responsibilities encompass breeding and raising six to twelve foals each year, managing his stallion, A Sudden Holiday, and participating in Non-Pro Yearling In Hand Trail and Longe Line events.

Drawing from his background in yearling events, Buckalew places great importance on establishing a solid foundation for each foal right from the start. He allows them a few days to familiarize themselves with their surroundings before initiating the halter training process.

“I usually give them a couple of days just to kind of get their feet and get used to things before I start haltering them,” Buckalew explained. “I’ll leave the halter on them for about 20 or 30 minutes at a time, and I do that a couple of times a sss

Katie Van Slyke Mabry is pictured on the opposite page with one of the many foals her family has raised. Teching manners and instilling respect are integral aspects to her approach when it comes to halter breaking the youngsters. On this page Branson Buckalew is pictured with one of his yearling Longe Line contenders. Establishing a solid foundation on the babies right from the start helps the longe line training process go much smoother down the road.

day. This gets them used to the halter going over their nose and me kind of pulling on it a little bit.”

Around the 10-day mark, Buckalew introduces the foals to leading, employing a butt rope for assistance. This milestone coincides with checking the mare to determine if she is ready to be bred back.

“They get used to being handled, being walked, learning to be next to me while we walk,” he said. "I’ll do that until the mare is in foal, working with the baby any time I am handling the mare.”

When the time comes for the foals to be weaned, Buckalew removes the butt rope. This signals the beginning of gradually increasing demands from the foals.

“I don’t try to rush into pulling on a baby until they're a little bit older, but by that point, they’ve been led around with the butt rope so much that they know the drill,” he explained.

Post-weaning, Buckalew goes beyond simply turning the foals out to pasture. Instead, he capitalizes on the foundation established during their time alongside their dam. Buckalew dedicates time each week to working with the weanlings in hand. These sessions are concise but purposeful, encompassing activities such as free lunging in the round pen, walking circles in both directions, and even some backing.

The consistency and repetition inherent in Buckalew’s program consistently yield horses that are quiet and eager to learn.

“Getting them used to being handled at a young age really just gets them to trust you," he said. “This trust, forged through early interactions, becomes a solid foundation upon which further training can be built.”

The experiences and insights shared by experienced breeders Nancy Kunkel, Meagan Dean, Katie Van Slyke Mabry and Branson Buckalew highlight the importance of patience, consistency, and personalized attention in halter breaking foals. They all emphasize the need to build trust and respect from the start, using gentle methods and taking small steps.

Each breeder brings their own unique approach, whether it's using a "suitcase method," prioritizing socialization, or gradually introducing new tasks.

By focusing on the well-being of the foals, these breeders aim to raise confident, cooperative, and dependable horses that excel in various disciplines.

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Over $140,000 in cash, prizes awarded at 2nd annual event Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Courtney B. Ament More than $148,000 in cash and prizes was awarded in June when the Back To Berrien Futurity returned to the Berrien County Fairgrounds in Michigan.

The facility was home to the Tom Powers Futurity from 1986 until 2018 when it was announced that the futurity would be moved to Wilmington and then was discontinued.

In 2022 Gil Galyean, Jon Barry and Charles Cannizzaro took the initiative to bring a new futurity “Back to Berrien.”

According to Galyean, the total number of entries and stall rentals more than doubled this year over last and organizers were thrilled.

“We are so indebted to our sponsors,” he said. “We could not have the show without all those people, some who gave large sums of money. And we put it all back into the purses.”

Galyean said they also appreciated the many trainers and owners who attended the show, some traveling great distances to get there.

“We are just so appreciative of the support the industry has shown,” he explained. “I think what’s rewarding is knowing there is still support for a standalone rail futurity. Maybe we all wondered a bit if a standalone event can still work like that but it’s obvious it still can.”

New this year, and a highlight of the show was the $10,000 added $2,500 Novice Horse Western Pleasure, sponsored by DAC. Open to horses who had not earned $2,500 as of June 1, Kenny Lakins took home the $4,000 winning check riding

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Straight Up Dirty (Jake), owned by Jen Smith, of Wapello, Iowa. Straight Up Dirty is sired by The Best Martini out of Another Certain Vino, and was bred by Beth Mallett.

Smith and Seth Dawson purchased Jake when he was just a month old after seeing a video of the colt on Facebook.

“I thought about purchasing him for all of three days, that’s all it took,” Smith said. “We were on the hunt for a futurity prospect and he was everything I had dreamed about. He is a perfect little jogger, a great loper with lots of chrome and a friendly personality.”

In March of his 2-year-old year Jake was sent to Lakins to get started under saddle.

“Jen really didn't want him to be a 2-year-old contender and I agreed with her,” Lakins said.

The new DAC-sponsored class really appealed to all of them.

“We like the fact that this class gives the horses that have not really had a big win the opportunity to compete.

This class was strong and I think it will just get bigger and bigger,” Lakins said.

Smith was able to attend and cheer Jake on.

“We sat in the stands on the edge of our seats,” she said. “He showed like a champ and we were in awe of how much progress he’s made.”

Lakins was also thrilled with Jake’s performance.

“He showed true and we had a solid ride,” he said.

Lakins says it’s Jake’s ring presence that really sets him apart. sss

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The second annual Back To Berrien Futurity drew competitors from across the country and Canada for a standalone rail futurity just 12 miles from Lake Michigan’s beaches. One highlight of the show was the $10,000 Added $2,500 Novice Horse Western Pleasure, sponsored by DAC. Kenny Lakins (pictured on the opposite page) rode Straight Up Dirty to a win in the class, collecting a check for $4,000. On this page (clockwise from upper left): Dark Ladee and Shannon Curl Holbin, winners of the 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure; Jamie English and Super Freek, winers of the 3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle; and Lisa Wilkes and Lopin Like No Other, Select Rider 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure champions

“He is big and strong and provides a really nice picture and demeanor,” he said. “He’s the best stud horse I’ve ever been around. He’s truly phenomenal minded and he’s going to have a great future as a stud because of it.”

Earning Limited Champion honors and Reserve in the class was Rebecca Britton riding My Popcorn Machine, sired by Machine Made out of Shes Suddenly Hot. My Popcorn Machine was bred and is owned by Jamie McWhinney, of Richmond, Indiana.

The yearling Longe Line classes at Back To Berrien also drew big numbers.

“That is in part due to the fact that the Super Sires program allots money there and we are fortunate to have that,” Galyean said.

Also new this year was the Select Rider 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure class.

Lisa Wilkes, of East Dublin, Georgia, rode Lopin Like No Other to a win in the class. The chestnut stallion, sired

by The Lopin Machine out of Lopin Southern Style was bred by Lisa and her husband, William Wilkes.

“That class was really well received for the first time it was ever offered in the industry, and I think we will continue to see it grow,” Galyean said.

In addition to a full slate of Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle and Lone Line classes for Open and Non-Pro competitors, the futurity offered free dinners nearly every night, thanks to the show sponsors.

“We love coming to Back To Berrien,” Lakins said.

“Gil, Jon, Charles and his brothers do an outstanding job making sure everyone – people and horses – are happy.

They were constantly making sure everyone had what they needed. They also kept the arenas in amazing

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condition. Considering they do not ordinarily manage shows, they hit it out of the park. Last year we won great money and had a great show. This year our clients took home roughly $25,000 in prize money.”

Galyean said there will be a Back To Berrien Futurity in 2024. Organizers are happy with the slate of classes the way it is but will look for ways to continue to tweak and provide more money in the Hunter Under Saddle classes.

“We had a lot of people tell us how Berrien was back,” he said.

“There’s really no better place to be in the summertime on a beautiful clear morning.”

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$1.35 M in cash, prizes awarded as new champions crowned Text Brianna Huggins Photos Ruehle Photographix Arizona trainer Savanah Hunziker believes firmly that you’ve got to keep show horses happy if you expect them to perform to the best of their ability.

She always tries to figure out how much longing is just the right amount and what makes each one in her care likes and doesn’t like.

But preparing for this year’s American Paint Horse Association’s World Championship Show presented challenges no one could have predicted.

Hunziker started training professionally in 2020 and in the spring of 2021 she moved her operation to Phoenix.

“My carer took off in an incredible way,” she said. “My barn quickly filled and I started prioritizing which way I wanted to go – which ended up being Hunter Under Saddle and Longe Line – and assessing my customers’ goals.”

She loaded up seven

horses from her program and set out to Tulsa, Oklahoma to compete at the Pinto World Show from June 12 to 24, with plans to continue on to the Paint World, June 29 to July 3 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Things started out great – with her horses winning World and Reserve World titles. Then tragedy struck. On the night of June 17 Tulsa was swept by steady winds of over 100 mph.

Debris and winds caused damage to utilities and roadways were blocked.

With no power and significant damage to the Tulsa facility the Pinto Horse Association had no choice but to cancel the rest of its World Show. The APHA moved quickly to make provisions for exhibitors with plans to show at the Paint World Show to arrive early.

Half of Hunziker’s show string never got to show at the Pinto World Show. Both her yearling, Dark Skies, and her Junior horse were cut up from flying glass.

“Equine Sports Medicine (personnel) and strangers quickly attended my horses making sure to get them stitched up,” she said. “Everyone around was helping picking glass out of the stalls …

there was so much. Friends, strangers, even the vets and techs were working with no power.”

The morning after the storm Hunziker loaded up and headed to a friend’s place in Fort Worth.

“I had planned to take the yearling (Dark Skies) to the Paint World but he was too banged up to go,” she explained.

Hunziker instead loaded up a 3-year-old gelding she ttt

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On the opposite page, Savanah Hunziker gives Ill Wow Ya a big hug after the pair won the Breeders Trust 3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle Stakes Class at the 2023 APHA World Show. On this page (top) Rebecca Edward and Extremely Custom take a victory lap after winning the Non-Pro 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Sweepstakes. Below that a young exhibitor is questioned by an official suring the Stick Horse Contest.

showed at the Pinto World Championships, before it was shut down. Ill Wow Ya (Jax), a bay overo by The Wow Factor and out of A Big Affair helped turn lemons into lemonade for Hunziker.

As her other horses recovered in the care of Dillon Holden, Hunziker and Jax shook off the excitement in Tulsa and focused on the Paint World Show where they claimed overall and Limited champion titles in the Breeders’ Trust 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes class, earning in excess of $12,000.

“Prior to that class I had only longed him one time to let him stretch,” Hunziker said. “Since we hadn’t had him very long, we took him to Pinto (World Show) to try and figure him out. We wanted to determine what he liked, didn’t like, how tired he needed to be and what made him happy. I used that information and in return, He gave me an amazing ride.”

Success continued for the pair as they captured a Reserve Champion in the Gold 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Breeders Futurity and a fourth place in the 3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle.

“I couldn’t have been happier with the horse I had those days,” Hunziker said. “He’s so elegant on the rail. His trot will take your breath away but one of my favorite things about him is his massive front leg and slow-deep hock at the canter. He really has it all and is such a special horse.”

Rebecca Edward, of Billings, Montana, knew the minute she laid eyes on Extremely Custom this past spring that she had to have the 2021 sorrel gelding, even though she was not really looking for a new horse.

Bred by Terry Bradshaw, Extremely Custom is by Bradshaw’s own stallion, Extremely Hot Chips and is out of A Secret Impulse.

Edward says Kevin was born an old broke horse and that became evident when he and Edward won the Non-Pro 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Sweepstakes at the APHA World Show, earning $1,428 in prize money.

“I thought Kevin showed incredible for me,” Edward said. “I had never ridden him until the morning of the class and he just listened and did what I asked. That consistency and his soft, overall happy attitude, I feel, set him apart. I just love him.”

Stephanie Mohindra, of Pilot Point, Texas and How Bout A Goodride (Dre) snagged the lion's share of the Breeders' Trust Non-Pro 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes class.

The blue roan overo gelding won the Gold 2-Year-Old Breeders' Futurity class in 2022, and clinched the 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle and Gold 3-Year-Old Breeders' Futurity championships earlier in the show with Texas trainer Sara Simons.

Mohindra says Dre’s strength and good mind are the two main qualities that make him a successful show horse.

“He really handled the traffic like a seasoned show horsedespite this being his third show ever,” she said. “He sure is one special gelding.”

Mohindra purchased Dre, who is sired by VS Goodride out of Ms Silver Sensation, as a yearling at Simon Show Horses. He was out in a field with about 10 other yearlings but she said that, for her, the choice was an easy one.

“I knew right away he was the one I wanted,” Mohindra said. “I mean who wouldn’t want a pretty blue roan. He is one of the best minded horses you will ever meet. When he was a yearling Shane Christensen did the Longe Line with him and he was the easiest to train. He was never afraid of anything.

Dre returned to Simons Show Horses to train with Sarah Simons as a 2-year-old and has been there ever since.

In 2022 Dre won the Gold 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Breeders Futurity at the APHA World Show with Sarah in the irons.

“Fast forward one year and he was even better as a 3year-old,” Mohindra said. “He is bigger and stronger. Sara has worked hard this past year with him.”

Western Pleasure Eldora, Iowa trainer Denton DeBuhr knows it takes a special horse to make it to the show pen as a 2-year-old. He also knew fairly quickly he had just that in Shes Machine Made, sired by Machine Made out of Zips Classic Rock.

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Mark Reisinger bred Shes Machine Made and sent her to DeBuhr the first of the year to get started. DeBuhr piloted her to a win in the Gold 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Breeders Futurity.

“She has been easy to prepare,” DeBuhr said. “I think her consistency and presence in the ring set her apart from other contenders. She really enjoys doing her job.”

DeBuhr has been attending the APHA World Show for the past five years and says it’s always been enjoyable.

“It’s the biggest Paint show of the year and everyone brings their best to compete,” he said. “Everyone involved with APHA made me feel welcome and was helpful in every way. I enjoy seeing trainers and exhibitors from all around the country coming together and competing for a common goal.”

Talk about a great first impression. In his very first time showing under saddle, Jaw Droppin, a bay solid gelding carried his owner, Steve Byers, of Maize, Kansas, to a World Championship title in the Non-Pro 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure Sweepstakes this year.

“He is very sweet and very mellow,” Byers said. “He has a lot of try and just wants to work with you.”

Purchased by Byers And Truesdale at last year’s National Snaffle Bit Association Yearling Sale, Jaw Droppin is sired by VQH Heart Stoppin and out of Ms Flashy Goodbar.

“He is very chill for his age and he has a lot of try,” Byers said. “You can take him into the scariest environment n and he won’t even bat an eye and you can ask him to do anything and he will try to do it to the best of his ability.”

Shesgotdaddyissues, a 2020 sorrel overo mare by The Sugar Daddy out of My Investments R Good, didn’t seem to have any issues at this year’s World Show. She won the Breeders Trust 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Stakes with Laura Spell in the saddle, earning $11,448. Then she carried Taylor Kokemiller, of St. Louis, Missouri, to a win in the Breeders Trust Non-Pro 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure

Stakes class, to collect another $3,848.

Taylor’s mother, Heidi Kokemiller purchased Shesgotdaddyissues from her breeder, Brooke Ketchum, at the Quarter Horse Congress, just before she was to show in the Maiden 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure.

“She’s a very sweet mare, really enjoys her job and try’s hard for you every day,” Taylor said. “She very pretty to look at, she uses her ears great and has a lot of expression going down the rail.”

Taylor was very pleased with her performance at the APHA World Show.

“She showed really good,” she said. “She was consistent and stayed with me the whole class.”

Trail Judy McNabb, of Tres Pinos, California, says it’s her expression that helps Tats Classical Rhythm (Symmi) excel like she does in Trail classes.

Judy and the 2018 bay tobiano mare, sired by Plenty Of Tats Rhythm and out of Zippity Do What, earned $2,047 at this year’s APHA World Show by winning the Gold NonPro 5-Year-Old & Under Trail Breeders’ Futurity.

“Not only does she move gracefully over the Trail poles, her approach to the obstacles with her expression is great to watch,” she said. “Her jog is especially fancy as well over poles and with serpentines.” ttt

Pictured on the opposite page (left) are two Youth Western Pleasure contenders congratulating each other on their success and Denton DeBuhr (top right) showing Shes Machine Made to a win in the Gold 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Breeders Futurity and Steve Byers and Jaw Droppin, riding to victory in the Non-Pro 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure Sweepstakes. On this page Judy McNabb and Tats Classical Rhythm perform their wining Gold Non-Pro 5-Year-Old & Under Trail Breeders Futurity pattern.

Judy and her daughter, Lauren, who is assistant trainer to Karen Qualls,leased Zippity Do What and bred her to Plenty Of Tats Rhythm.

“Symmi is our forever girl as we dreamed of her and she was many years in the making,” Judy said.

Judy attributes her success at this year’s World Show to her solid training with Qualls, many hours in the saddle, lots of clear communication with her horse and really driving to be a team first and foremost.

“Winning is the icing on the cake,” she said.

Christina Hansen, of Gretna, Nebraska, says she and her show partner, Justa Lazy Mouse (Farrah), put in a lot of work and when it came to show time in the Non-Pro Trail Sweepstakes, that hard work paid off in a World Championship title and a check for $1,440.

Christina’s husband, Micah, is a trainer and she started leasing Farrah from his customer, Debra Sharp, last April.

After the 2022 APHA World Show, Sharp gave Christina the opportunity of a lifetime to purchase Farrah and the Hansens just couldn’t pass it up.

Christina says the 2018 solid bay mare by Lazy Loper and out of One Hot Mouse, is a really sweet mare with just the right amount of spice.

“She wants to please and is easy going,” Christina said.

“She always comes to the front of her stall and wants to work. She is super spoiled and loves treats.”

Showmanship One year ago, on her way home from the 2022 APHA World Show, Caitlin Hull of Minnesota, bought Cheers To That (Mondale) sight unseen to replace her mare, VS Hot Mess, who tragically foundered.

Hull’s trainer, was tasked with finding her Hull a new all-around partner.

“I told Jessi that I absolutely needed to be competitive in Showmanship this year,” she said.

Although Mondale is just 3 year old, he quickly rose to the challenge. The pair just won the Gold Non-Pro 5-YearOld & Under Showmanship at this year’s APHA World Show, earning $2,478.

“He was a quick learner from day one, and is naturally really flashy and balanced,” she said. “I think it’s that style and his big back that made him stand out in our Showmanship class.

For additional information on the American Paint Horse Association, or to view complete results from this year’s APHA World Championship Show visit www.apha.com.

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Text Brianna Huggins Photos Ruehle Photographix The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) returned to Oklahoma City June 25 to July 5 to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of its National Appaloosa Show.

Held in conjunction with the World Championship Appaloosa Youth World Show, the event featured classes in Halter, Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Horsemanship, Equitation, Trail, Western Riding, Showmanship , Ranch and speed events.

Heath Wilkerson, of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, has been attending the Appaloosa National Show for 30 years now. He said it was great to be back in Oklahoma City and he noticed that the Youth World Show numbers seemed to be up quite a bit over the past few years.

This year Wilkerson showed Rageous Thang (Scooter), a 2020 sorrel gelding to championship titles in both the 3-Year-Old Snaffle Bit Western Pleasure and the Open Green Western Pleasure.

“He won the Green Western Pleasure and was the unanimous champion in the 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure,” Wilkerson said. “He showed great in both classes, He is very honest in the show pen.”

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The sorrel gelding, is sired by Rageous Blaze and out of Do My Thang, a four-time consecutive Appaloosa Youth Wold Champion, and is owned by Brenda Wilkerson “He wasn’t shown as a 2-year-old and made his debut in March,” Wilkerson explained. “Once I get control of pushing his body around, he doesn’t take much preparation.”

Wilkerson said he thinks Scooter’s strength and selfcarriage sets him apart from others in the show pen.

“The longer he goes, the better he gets,” he said.

“He is very laid back with a very chill personality.”

Kelly Sweeny, of Broad Brook, Connecticut, had a National Show to remember.

She showed Chattanooga Lucy, a red roan mare

by Kissin The Girls out of a Colored By Charlie mare to championship titles in Non-Pro Performance Halter Mares, Non-Pro Showmanship and Non-Pro Showmanship 35 & Over. She also won the Non-Pro Western Pleasure 35 & Over riding Straight Fire (Fuego), a 3-year-old chestnut gelding with a blanket.

“Lucy is a pleaser and really wants to do her job,” Sweeny said. “I left her a little fresh for the Performance Halter so it would be easy to get her ears and she showed awesome. She really showed nice in both of my Showmanship classes as well. It’s been a goal of mine to win the 35 & Over and the

Non-Pro Showmanship at the same show so I’m super proud to get that done at this show.”

Sweeny and Lucy also competed in both the Non-Pro and 35 & Over trail classes.

“The trail was a very challenging course and we did well, but had a lots of ticks,” she said. “We were in the top 10 in the Non-Pro and top five in the 35 & Over. I love this class, it definitely keeps you humble.”

The National Show was just the first horse show for Fuego and it was Sweeny’s first time showing him.

“He is really low maintenance and easy to prepare,” she explained. “A light longe and you’re good to go.”

Sweeny showed Fuego in both the Non-Pro Western Pleasure and the 23 & Over Western Pleasure.

“He was really good in my first class except a couple baby things,” she said. “He was very intrigued by the horses passing him. I am pretty sure that was the first time he was ever passed in a class, so he wanted to check it out, other than that he was awesome.”

Sweeny said for the 35 & Over Western Pleasure she learned that she should not have longed him prior to competing.

“I thought I’d go for safe. He was definitely too tired, but behaved great,” she said. “We ended up Reserve in that one. I couldn’t have been happier for our first show together. He has a quirky, fun personality. He’s a little bit of a mess on the ground, all business on his back, but I think ttt

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Pictured on the opposite page (top) is Kelly Sweeny and her show partner, Chatanooga Lucy and Heath Wilkerson riding Rageous Thang. On this page, Ryann Reagan and Light Em Up take a victory lap after winning the Non-Pro Horsemanship.

that’s part of what makes him special. I love a horse with some personality.”

Sweeny has been attending the National show since 1998 and has only missed once – in 1998 – the year her son was born.

“I thought this year’s Nationals had a great vibe,” she said. “Youth entries were way up. It’s so nice being back in Oklahoma City.”

Ryann Reagan, of Ravensdale, Washington, will be the first to tell you that her history in the ApHC is a bit of a saga.

“I began showing at the national level in 2001 and attended and competed each summer from 2001 to 2008 when the show was first moved to Jackson, Mississippi,” she explained. “While I was in college, I attended and supported my teammates, but did not compete.

My plan was to make my Non-Pro debut at the 2016 Nationals but my husband was diagnosed with cancer two days before we were set to leave. I spent the next few years caring for him, and after he passed, threw myself back into riding and training to compete. Unfortunately in 2018, my horse suffered a catastrophic injury in the pasture and was humanely euthanized.”

Reagan started working with a new youth horse at the barn by the name of Snoop, and told her trainer, Sarah Aron Kramer, that she wanted a horse just like him. A couple weeks later, Kramer called Reagan and said she found Snoop’s full brother, Light Em Up (Smoke), a 2015 chestnut gelding by Blazing LLC out of It Took A Blonde.

Smoke was set to show with Chase Wilkerson at the 2021 APHC nationals in Tulsa so Reagan flew down to watch them compete and took Smoke home with her from the show.

A year later the new team competed together at the 2022 Appaloosa Nationals and this year they returned to win the Non-Pro Horsemanship.

“Smoke is pretty easy to prepare though getting him in the show arena prior to the class is helpful as he is pretty curious about new places and always likes to look around,” Reagan explained. “This particular pattern was difficult for us because I hadn’t done a lot of no stirrups with Smoke. In practice, I struggle with my foot placement once I dropped my stirrups so my leg queues weren’t as effective as I needed them to be. I spent time trying to teach him what I wanted without my stirrups before going back to the specific pattern elements.”

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Reagan says it helps that Smoke is just a good citizen.

“He waits on me to lead us through a pattern and he doesn’t get flustered or rushy around certain elements.,” she said. “He is a fun horse for the Horsemanship that way because he makes me feel like we can take risks and even if they don’t work out, it won’t derail the rest of our pattern.”

Reagan spent a lot of time preparing for the Horsemanship class, making sure everything was just right.

“I played around with different bits that I had been using at Regional shows and at home trying to find the one that Smoke liked to set on the most and allow me to keep contact throughout the pattern,” she said. “I could tell warming up that he was right there for me so I felt confident with my plan for my circles and my extended lope to come back.”

And he’s just as much fun outside the show pen.

“Smoke is a sweetheart,” Reagan said. “He has been lucky enough to be loved by some great people in his life so he loves being touched and loved on. He is perpetually itchy and very curious. He loves dogs and his current favorite treat is red licorice. He is a really happy horse, but he very much dislikes any insect that lands on him, and being the last horse left on the trailer.”

Dr. Ted Zajac III, of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, also captured a championship title in Horsemanship at this year’s Appaloosa Nationals. Teamed with No You Didnt (Clint), a 2012 chestnut gelding by Dont Skip Zip (AQHA) and out of An Elegant Design, he won the Non-Pro Masters Horsemanship with 11 entries.

Dr. Zajac bred and trained Clint and has been showing him since he was just a yearling.

“He is a wonderful horses to prepare,” he said. “He’s smart, trainable and adaptable. We were just awarded a Bronze Medal from USDF and Clint has been able to go from Dressage to Western Pleasure to Hunter Under Saddle, Trail, Equitation, Horsemanship, Halter and Showmanship. That is what makes him special. He wants to do whatever you want.”

In addition to the Masters Horsemanship win, Clint added National Championships in Masters Showmanship, Masters Equitation and Non-Pro Performance Halter Geldings and was Reserve in Western Riding and fourth in Western Pleasure, Trail and Hunter Under Saddle.

Dr. Zajac also showed Wranglers Legend, sired by Honkytonk Wrangler out of Maid by Tack, ito a win in NonPro Hunter In Hand Stallions. The dark bay colt with a blanket, tied for first but lost the tie breaker in the Open Hunter In Hand Stallions, with Heather Runyon showing.

“Legend was bred by Avalon Appaloosas and I purchased him because his sire was known for producing talented great minded horses and Legend has followed suit,” he said.

Dr Zajac has been competing at the Appaloosa Nationals and World Show since 1990.

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“The ApHC should be commended on making this a wonderful experience by adding the Grand Entry where we celebrated our history, the mobile museum and the Spotted Today newsletter,” he said.

“The best part of showing Appaloosa horses is the people involved. It is a family oriented supportive group and that has never changed.”

Tristanna Carrell, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, could not agree more.

“I grew up riding and showing Appaloosa horses,” she said. “My grandfather started my family down this path over 50 years ago. I have been lucky to ride Appaloosas in many different arenas (rodeo queen, jumping, sorting, etc.) and out of the arena on high-elevation pack trips or day rides. I have enjoyed all of these experiences, but the show arena has always held my focus.”

This year Carrell rode Vital Rhythm (Elway), a 2018 bay gelding by VS Flatline out of Sweet Weedo, to a championship title in Non-Pro Western Riding. They also competed in Non-Pro Trail, Horsemanship, Showmanship, Equitation, and Saddle Seat.

“Elway and I have been showing together for two-and-ahalf years now,” she explained. “As an Amateur rider, with a full-time job and a family that does the majority of training on

our horses, our current equestrian team helps us to be successful. Elway has always been talented and easy to train.

About three months ago he really started to bring all of the pieces together and I thought he performed great at this year's National Show. He is lazy but willing to work hard.”

It also helps that Elway has a great personality.

“He doesn't require a lot of longing just gets out of his stall and goes to work,” Carrell said. “In the mornings he is the first to greet you, hoping that you will feed him first.”

Grace Douglas, of Franklin, Tennessee, has been competing at the Appaloosa Youth World Show since 2017 but

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Pictured on the opposite page (top) is Dr. Ted Zajac riding No You Didnt to a win in the Non-Pro Masters Horsemanship and Tristanna Carrell and Vital Rhythm completing their winning Non-Pro Western Riding Pattern. On this page (top) Grace Douglas and Blonde Barbee complete their winning Youth Novice Trail 14-18 pattern and Rageous Wrangler on his way to winning the Open Green Hunter Under Saddle with Taylor Pearson in the irons.

she says this year’s show was the best yet.

“Everybody was nice to work with and all seemed to be enjoying their time at the show,” she said.

Together, Douglass and Blonde Barbee, a 2011 chestnut mare won the Youth Novice Trail 14-18. They also placed fifth in Youth Western Showmanship 14-18..

“I’ve shown Barbee for a little over a year now,” Douglas said.

“She is a very experienced show horse, but she does like a lot of leg so I have spent a lot of time figuring out her buttons.”

Trail was a class that Douglass practiced at home a lot because she said she knew it was a class in which they could excel. They just needed some more confidence going over the poles.

“Barbee is very defined in her movement and carries herself well, but she also likes you to be there telling her what to do so I think that connection paints a good picture in the pen,” Douglass explained.

Showmanship is a different matter.

“Barbee knows what she is doing and I honestly just try to keep up with her,” she said. “She is always attentive and she has really taught me how to love that class.”

Douglas also owns Rageous Wrangler, a 2019 chestnut gelding by Rageous Blaze out of Handpainted Scarlet.

Although Douglass just purchased Wrangler in the fall of 2021 and didn’t begin showing him until last year, success came quickly for the new team. At this year’s Appaloosa National Show and Youth World Show, the youngster won the Youth Hunter Under Saddle with Douglass in the irons and her trainer, Taylor Pearson rode him to a win in the Open Green Hunter Under saddle.

“Wrangler is an extremely talented horse in that he carries himself so nicely,” Douglas said. “The majority of the preparation has been me learning how to ride and show a young horse and figuring out when he needs me and when to let him just do his thing.”

Douglas said Pearson loves Wrangler and has poured her heart into making them the best team together.

“I had some of the most fun I’ve ever had showing in the Hunter Under Saddle this year with him and it was definitely the best ride I’ve ever had on him,” she said. “I felt like we really clicked and that all the hard work had paid off.”

For additional information on the 2023 Appaloosa National and Youth World shows, visit www.appaloosa.com.

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Competitors continue to prove big

prizes, fun result in big numbers Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Cody Parmenter

The Georgia Quarter Horse Association presented its Stars & Stripes and Big A Show circuits June 30 to July 9, at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers.

There’s a reason both American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) sanctioned events are listed among the association’s Top 10 Shows. Futurity classes, jackpot contests, and especially the social events draw competitors from all across the country and Canada.

This year visitors were treated to a Heroes Horsemanship Challenge, celebrating military and veterans; A golf cart parade; a bridleless Western Pleasure class (benefitting the Heroes); a Margarita, Sand & Sun Exhibitor Party; Cherry On Top Ice Cream Social; All Stars Night with popcorn, nacho and candy; a dog show; barbecues and more.

This year, for the first time, the Cook family, of Cypress, Texas, presented the $10,000 All American Novice Horse Western Pleasure.

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“The 3-Year-Old Novice & Maiden classes are really starting to attract a lot of attention over the last couple years.

Even though Melissa and I really enjoy watching 2-year-old futurities, we believe that these Novice Horse/Maiden classes are crucial to our industry,” JR Cook said. “Not every horse is going to make it to the arena as a 2-year-old. Some horses need more time to mature than others for a variety of reasons.

Giving those horses another avenue to go show and earn a significant amount of money is important to us.”

The Cooks were pleased with the results for the first year.

“We thank all of the owners and trainers for participating and supporting this class,” said JR Cook. “We have big plans

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for the ‘All- American Futurity’ next year and the years to follow.’”

Ashley Lakins, of took home the $4,280 winning check for winning the class of 13 entries with Ladee Luck, sired by Gone Viral and out of VS Code Me Lucky, bred and owned by Mr. and Mrs. William Wilkes, of East Dublin, Georgia.

“Ladee Luck showed great for me in the All American,” Ashley said. “She’s such a soft mover, easy to watch and like. She’s a great jogger and a unique color so she stands out.”

Since the Wilkes live in Georgia, once the Cook family announced the addition of the class, Ashley and her husband, Kenny, decided to take group there to show and they thought Ladee Luck would have a good chance in the class.

“The class was awesome,” Ashley said. “It’s a great place to show. We are very thankful to the Cook family for supporting a class like this. It was a very well-run class with lots of great horses being shown.”

Ashley has been a fan of Ladee Luck since even before she was born. The Ohio trainers had her dam, VS Code Me Lucky and Ladee Luck reminds Ashley of her in many ways.

“We have always had high hopes for her,” Ashley explained. “It’s so good to see her follow in her mother’s footsteps. It takes a village and we have the best team.”

Reserve Champion was PurlJam, sired by Machine Made out of Show Gurl, bred by Susan Blackburn and Bill Baskin, owned by Barbara Crawford, and shown by Shannon Curl, earning $2,942.50.

Other National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) money earners included: • NSBA 3 & Over Maiden Trail (7 shown): Linda Made Me Listen, owned by Halladay Show Horses, Odessa, Florida, shown by Theodore W Grose IV, $2,500.

• Markel Insurance Low Derby (12 shown): Fabulous Boss, owned by Wendy Livingston, Fayetteville, Georgia, shown by Victoria Kelly Imbriglio, $2,312.

• All Age Non Pro Trail (14 shown): Hot Ovations, owned and shown by Natalie Hudson, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, $588.

• Markel Insurance High Derby (5 shown): Strutin To The Blues, owned by Rodger Call, Midway, Utah, shown by Chuck Briggs, $2,587.50.

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• Six Year Old & Over Open Trail (14 shown): Hand Made Machine, owned by Melissa Armstrong, Jackson, Ohio, shown by Ryan Cottingim, $608.

• All Age Open Ranch Riding (4 shown): Lets Double Down, owned by Wendy K McConnell, Lenoir City, Tennessee, shown by Clayton Jerrell, $744.

• 3-Year-Old Open Trail (12 shown): Magically Made, owned by Lacey Armstrong, Noblesville, Indiana, shown by Martin Doustou, $584.80.

• 3&4-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle (4 shown): Good Ol Boys Club, owned and shown by Tali Terlizzi, Ocala, Florida, $930.

• 3-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure (9 shown): Sophiscated Sophie, owned by Gorman Barger, Weber City, Virginia, shown by Jason D. Koffel, $2,540.

• Maturity Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle (7 shown): Good Ol Boys Club, owned and shown by Tali Terlizzi, Ocala, Florida, $308.

• 6-Year-Old & Over Open Western Riding (12 shown): A Soxy Dream, owned by Angela Wade, Wellington, Florida, shown by Anthony Montes, $584.80.

• 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure (10 shown): Ladee Luck, owned by Mr. & Mrs. William Wilkes, East Dublin, Georgia, shown by Ashley Lakins, $2,210.

• Maturity Non Pro Western Pleasure (4 shown): Line Up Behind, owned by JR & Melissa Cook, shown by JR Cook, $292.50.

• 3 & 4-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle (5

shown): Super Freek, owned by Kelly Smith, Dunnville, Ontario, Canada, shown by Jamie English, $2,587.50.

• 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure (8 shown): Ladee Luck, owned by Mr. & Mrs. William Wilkes, East Dublin, Georgia, shown by Melissa Wilkes, $740.

• Maturity Limited Open Western Pleasure (8 shown): PurlJam, owned by Barbara Crawford, Folsom, California, shown by Shannon Curl, $592.

• 4 & 5-Year-Old Open Trail (23 shown): Acrobatt, owned by Nancy G Chapman,, College Grove, Tennessee, shown by Nick Mayabb, $618.80.

All Age Open Ranch Trail (1 shown): Lets Double Down, owned by Wendy McConnell, Lenoir City, Tennessee, shown by Clayton Jerrell, $1,060.

• Green Western Riding (8 shown): Reddy To Rumble, owned by Janice Warford, Alpharetta, Georgia, shown by Martin Doustou, $592.

The Super Sires Program presented a $2,500 Scholarship to the 14-18 Youth Horsemanship contender earning the most points at the show circuits while riding a nominated Super Sires Horse.

Ava Newsome, of Lebanon, Indiana, was the recipient of this year’s award riding So Darn Lazy, sired by Lazy Loper out of Say Shes Invited (by Willy Be Invited).

Super Sires’ mission is to enhance the show horse industry on all fronts and is continually working to create events that benefit everyone including stallion owners, breeders and trainers. Super Sires has given $1 million and will award over $150,000 in 2023.

For additional information about the Big A and Stars & Stripes circuits, including complete result, visit An Equine Production’s website at www.anequineproduction.com. Or visit the Georgia Quarter Horse Association at www.gqha.com.

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RECOGNIZING NORMS by Meriel Moore-Colyer How to take, measure and track your horse’s key vital signs

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and these should be equal in length. Horses with respiratory Maintaining good health in our horses is every owners’ reconditions often have a noisy and ‘pushing’ action to the exhasponsibility. Avoiding performance limiting viruses, preventlation. ing the development of more serious diseases and ensuring A higher environmental temperature can cause an increase your horse is content and living as natural a life as possible in respiratory rate as heat dissipation via the exhalation of should be everyone’s top priority.

Objectively monitoring your horse’s health on a daily basis warm air from the lungs is an important cooling mechanism for the horse. If the respiratory rate has increased due to heat, it’s will make you acutely aware of his ‘normal’ vital statistics and likely that he will also be sweating, albeit slightly, so check beimprove your ability to detect any emerging problems. It will hind his ears and elbows to ensure the rise is due to mild heatalso help you build a better understanding of physiology and stress. deepen your connection with your horse.

A rise in resting respiratory rate indicates an illness or Alongside the normal subconscious observational pain. When recording it, take note of the nostrils and any secreoverview that we all do each morning, (pricked ears, eating tions. A clear or very slightly cloudy discharge is normal, but normally, interested in life, clear eyes and clear nostrils) there yellow/green thick mucus indicates disease or allergy. are several objective signs of good health that are easily moniYour horse should not cough at all if he is healthy. I often tored. When taking the following measurements, make sure hear people saying ‘He coughs a couple of times at the beginyou do these before exercise or several hours after the work ning of exercise just to clear himself.’ This is not normal for a session, so you are truly measuring resting values. horse, and indicates a viral infection or an allergic respiratory How to Take Your Horse’s Pulse: Pulse rate is an easy and accurate indicator of heart rate. Normal pulse rate is approx.30- disorder. If your horse does cough even just periodically, you 40 beats/minute, although your horse may be slightly outside this range. Daily monitoring will Objectively monitoring your horse’s health on a daily basis help you establish what is normal for your horse, will make you acutely aware of his ‘normal’ vital statistics and but a variation of five beats/minute is normal. improve your ability to detect any emerging problems.

Take the pulse with your fingers lightly pressing on the mandibular artery just under the big cheek bone. It is easiest to count the pulses for 15 need to get him onto a dust-free regime as soon as possible to seconds and then multiply by four. As a horse gets fitter the resting heart rate will slow slightly, although not as much as oc- avoid the development of a longer-term allergic respiratory disorder. curs in fit humans.

How To Take Your Horse’s Temperature: The normal range A small rise in heart rate may indicate some external stimfor a horse at rest is 99 to 101 degrees F or 37.2 to 38.3 degrees ulation/excitement/anticipation so take the pulse during quiet C. Again, environmental conditions can alter this slightly with times and initially a few times each day, until you find the a rise of approximately three degrees F during very hot ‘norm’ for your horse. A rise above 40 beats/minute should be weather. Stress and exercise will also cause a slight rise. monitored carefully as this is likely to indicate pain.

Take the temperature initially several times a day to find If it remains high throughout the day, then veterinary attention should be sought. A ‘resting’ heart rate of 60 beats /minute the norm. Taking the temperature is best done rectally. Stand should send you running for the phone – because your horses is slightly to the side behind your horse and gently move the tail to one side. Using a lubricated thermometer, gently inset into severely ill.

How to Take Your Horse’s Respiration Rate: Horses at rest the rectum slightly to the side. It is best to lightly press the thermometer against the side of the rectum to ensure you are breathe between 8-15 breaths/minute, although many places cite a wider range. Take this by standing a safe distance slightly recording the body temperature and not the temperature of the feces. behind and to the side of your horse and count the number of The length of time you hold it there will depend on the rises/expansion of the rib cage for 30 seconds and then multiply type of thermometer, (a mercury thermometer takes approxiby two. mately three minutes). If you are using a mercury thermometer, While doing this, listen and watch the pattern very caremake sure you shake it well before inserting. Whatever type fully. A breath consists of the inhalation and exhalation phase

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NORMS (continued) you use, hold on tight, especially the first few times you do this, as many horses have a reflex action that can suck the thermometer into the rectum very quickly. Clean the thermometer thoroughly after each use.

A rise above 102 degrees F is cause for concern, so call your vet.

How to Evaluate Your Horse’s Gut Sounds: Digestion in the horse is a highly dynamic process and should have a constant flow through it, maintained by trickle feeding in one end and frequent defecation from the other. As the gut is essentially a large fermentation tube, it should be continually moving and gurgling. You can easily hear this by putting your ear to the flank. Absence of these gut sounds may be an early indication of colic. Because colic is still the biggest cause of death in horses across the globe, monitoring gut activity is of utmost importance.

Fecal outputs in horses can alter in consistency and color according to diet, and some horses will defecate more than others. When horses are turned out onto lush pasture feces often become soft, wet and dark green, while those produced on conserved diets commonly look brown and expelled as softish round balls.

Fecal dry matter (DM) can alter between 18 – 35% DM, and the book value will say that an average horse should be producing 8-12 fecal outputs in 24 hours.

However, every horse and pony I have ever owned/monitored/used in experimental trials, have all defecated much more than that! Again, get to know what the norm is for your horse.

Measure Your Horse’s Feed and Water Intake: We all subconsciously measure feed intake, but do you take note of the amount of water your horse drinks? Are you also aware of any partially chewed feed on the ground? A reduced feed intake may be due to a rise in environmental temperature and nothing to worry about, but it could indicate a problem with his teeth.

Going off feed altogether is always a sign of something serious. My dressage horse loved his hay, but after a long road and boat trip from Ireland to the UK, and despite several rest stops, he developed

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travel sickness. The first thing I noticed was him not eating his hay, so I immediately called the vet and the early treatment of this potentially serious condition, meant he was fully recovered in 24 hours.

Evaluate Your Horse’s Mucous Membranes: The colour of mucous membranes (eyes, lips, gums and nostrils) should be a healthy light pink, which shows good circulation and hydration status (more on hydration next time). Checking circulation (capillary refill time) can be done by pressing the gums on the upper jaw, releasing it and counting how quickly the blood flows back into the area, it should do so in two seconds.

Mind your fingers. Horses have an amazing capacity to quickly trap unsuspecting fingers.

Make Monitoring A Habit: Monitoring daily signs of good health in an objective way is a really good habit to form. As with weight management, seeing our horses every day makes it hard to notice small changes, but if you have to stop and think about measuring and recording something you pay much closer attention.

When you start this process don’t worry if values fluctuate a little. You will need to do this for a couple of weeks before you learn your own horse’s levels.

It’s all about learning what is normal for your horse.

Try to make these measurements part of your daily regime, jot them down on a chart so you get a good indication of how your horse alters according to season, fitness, and everyday activities.

Breed and size make little difference in any of the above statistics, it is more likely to alter slightly according to environmental temperature, work and fitness levels.

Meriel Moore-Colyer is an equine science professor and equine nutrition expert. She has a PhD in Equine Nutrition, and 20 years experience as a University Lecturer. You can email her at: meriel.moore-colyer@rau.ac.uk

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K��y Lee Smi� Pennsylvania trainer making her mark in a wide variety of disciplines from Halter to Ranch classes Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Ali Hubbel, AE Photography & Cody Parmenter When Kristy Lee Smith was just a child she asked her mom, Kim Vanderwende, if she could wear the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship buckle she won in 1996.

Her mothers response? “No. You have to win your own.”

It took a long time in Smith’s eyes to achieve that same level of success but 15 years later she finally did when she earned a Reserve AQHA World Championship title in Amateur 3-Year-Old Mares with Classic Barbie.

“I had lots of chances with lots of capable horses but I always came up a couple places short,” Smith said.

Training horses for a living can be a tough journey.

“It can be a very demanding job at times people can have high unrealistic expectations,” Smith said. “It’s long hours with low wages after deducting the costs of high overhead that come with operating a horse business.”

But for her whole life, Smith has been on the path that has led her to where she is today — operating a successful training operation in the industry she so loves.

Smith was born in Morristown, New Jersey and grew up in nearby Frenchtown, attending Delaware Valley High School in Milford, New Jersey, where she played basketball, and then earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism & Media Studies from Rutgers University.

“I was basically born into the Quarter Horse industry,” she explained. “My parents were already heavily involved when I was born. I attended my first show at less than a month old in Sussex, New Jersey and this year, 38 years later, I am judging that show.”

Although she never “officially” worked or apprenticed under any professional trainers, Smith competed for 23 years as a Youth and Amateur with a variety of great professionals.

In 2015, Smith turned in her Amateur card and officially opened Kristy’s Quarter Horses in North East, Maryland. She started out with mainly Halter horses, all-around contenders and a few Ranch horses.

“I had a few people that really believed in me who encouraged me to start my own business,” Smith said. “I figured I was still young enough to give it a try and thought what’s the worse that can happen? If this doesn’t work out in a few years I will just have to switch gears and get a regular job. Fortunately for me, I’ve had a really steady business with lots of nice horses right from the start.”

Success came quickly. One horse in her new program, Magnificent Touch, owned by Lori Leary, earned the 2015

AQHA High Point Open, Amateur & Amateur Select Halter Mare titles. Another, She Is So Cool, owned by Sharon Fisk, was the 2015 Reserve Quarter Horse Congress Champion Amateur Halter Mare and was a multiple regional champion, earning Open and Amateur AQHA Superior awards.

In March 2016 Smith moved her operation to Wingait Farm in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, and her life took a major turn. That is where she met Kevin Smith, who would become her husband two years later.

“We met completely by chance when he was remodeling a garage on the farm I was renting,” she explained. “I told him on our first date I wasn’t interested in being married and I definitely didn’t want kids. After a week of dating I knew I was going to marry him and a couple years later we welcomed our son, Kace.” ttt

Kristy Lee Smith is pictured in the top two photos on this page riding Still Chasin You; below that (left) showing in Lead Line with her son, Kase on Dreamin About Sailin; and showing Simply Statutory at the 2022 NSBA World Show and On the opposite page she is pictured with Whizkey Annie.

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A big part of Smith’s program involves coaching Amateur, Amateur Select and a few Youth contenders. She has learned that trying to find the right horses is the key to success.

“I try, to the best of my ability, to team up the right horse with abilities and goals of my clients,” she explained. “I also try to be honest to a fault on whether a training horse that comes to me is going to work for what that particular customer is looking to do.”

Although her operation is relatively young Smith has already enjoyed tremendous success with horses like: • Acoolest Cowboy, owned by Kim Vanderwende, 2017 AQHA Reserve World Champion Amateur Select Performance Halter Stallion, 2016 Reserve Congress Champion.

• Tees Coolest, owned by Debbie Kuffer, 2016-2018, seven-time AQHA World and Reserve World Champion ( Level 2&3) Amateur, Select and Open Performance Halter Gelding.

• Shes Showin Off, owned by Delbert Hostetler, 2017 two-time AQHA Reserve World Champion Performance Halter Mare Open and Amateur Select, 2017-2018 Congress Champion and Reserve Champion, 2018 AQHA High Point Halter Mare Open, Amateur and Amateur Select.

• Wimpys Lucky Charm, owned by Debbie Kuffer, 2017 AQHA World Show Top 10 Junior Ranch Riding and Quarter Horse Congress Top 10 Ranch Riding and multiple Regional Champion and AQHA Superior Ranch Riding.

• Simply Statutory, owned by Delbert Hostetler, 2022 NSBA World Champion Ranch Conformation and 2021 NSBA Performance Halter Mare Bronze winner.

• Wallys Gun Affair, owned by Debbie Kuffer, 2019 AQHA World Show fourth, Level 2 Junior Ranch Riding, 11th, Level 3; 2019 Quarter Horse Congress top 10 Junior Ranch Riding, top five 4&5-YearOld Ranch Riding Futurity;

AQHA Honor Roll Junior Ranch Riding fourth place; Regional (6) Champion Open Ranch Riding, AQHA Superior Open Ranch Riding.

Many of her clients have achieved considerable success as well, including: • Total Intention, owned by Sharon Fisk, 2019 AQHA Amateur Select World Bronze Champion 3-Year-Old Geldings and multiple regional championships AQHA Open and Amateur Halter classes.

• Still Chasin You, owned by Kim Vanderwende, 2021 NSBA World Show Top 5 NonPro Ranch Conformation, Quarter Horse Congress Top 15 Ranch Riding.

• Playn Ruff, owned by Michelle Welsh, 2022 two-time Quarter Horse Congress Top 10 Ranch Riding; Top 10 Level 1 Championships Amateur Select Ranch Riding; and two-time PHBA Reserve World Champion Ranch Conformation.

• Voodoo U Think U Are, owned by Rebecca Splan, 2022 Quarter Horse Congress two-time Top 10 Working Western Rail; twotime PHBA Reserve World Champion Amateur Select Ranch Rail and Amateur Ranch Riding.

• Steady Mercedes, owned by Laura Rapa, 2023 Top 5 Level 1 Championship Amateur Ranch Riding.

• A Certain Cowgirl, owned by Michelle Felver, 2023 Top 10 Level 1 Championship Amateur Performance Halter; 2022 AQHA Region 5 Reserve Champion Western Pleasure.

• Gangsters Candybar, owned by Sharon Cyr, 2018-2022 multiple AQHA Region 5 Ranch Riding championships and 2021 Top 15 Quarter Horse Congress Ranch Riding.

• Redo My Voodoo, owned by Kim Vanderwende, 2022 AQHA Champion, Top 15 Quarter Horse Congress Ranch Riding; AQHA Region 5 Reserve Champion.

• Trashy Buns, owned by Rebecca Splan, 2021 AQHA Reserve World Champion Amateur Western Dressage; Top 15 AQHA World Show Level 1 Amateur Ranch Riding.

In May 2020 Smith moved her operation to Willow Brook Farms in Northampton, Pennsylvania and this past May she and Kevin purchased the 20-acre 4K Farm in nearby Lenhartsville where they have a 15-stall show barn, attached 100-by-180 indoor arena, turnout pastures and an outdoor riding arena as well.

“We have a very unique raised ranch home that also has an in-law suite for my mom in the future,” Smith said. “It’s been really great living on the farm. Kace and our dogs, Racy and Trip, especially are enjoying all the room to roam.”

Over the last few years, Smith’s business has focused primarily on Ranch events but she does still train and prepare ttt

Kristy Lee Smith’s facility (top) is located in Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania. Below that she is pictured (left) giving a clinic and showing Classic Barbie at the 2011 AQHA World Championship Show.

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horses for Halter and Amateur riders in a variety of all-around events.

I really enjoy watching my clients learn and grow,” Smith said. “I’ve been really blessed with some great clients who have stayed with me for long periods of time and have invested in some really nice horses. I also started giving clinics a few years ago. I enjoy helping people who are getting involved in the industry.”

When she is not training at home or at a show, Smith enjoys decorating their house and making the property look pretty. She and her husband like to frequent nice restaurants on date nights and go on mini-vacations to the beach. They are also looking forward to these next few years with Kace taking him to lots of fun places.

Smith says the best advice she ever got came from her grandfather who told her to “always keep the sunny side up.”

“Keeping a positive attitude is a key to success,” Smith said. “I love the feeling of accomplishment at the end of a long work day in the barn. Sometimes at night when the horses are all shining in their clean stalls munching on their hay, I will just sit down in the barn and think ‘this is why I do this.’”

You can contact Kristy Lee Smith by calling (908) 3998980 or via her website at www.kristysquarterhorses.com.

Open Profiles are part of InStride Edition’s editorial content. If you know someone who would make a good subject for an open profile email Corrine Borton, at: CorrineBorton@InStrideEdition.com.

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Kelsey McAr�� Horses are this Maryland competitor’s passion but she also enjoys photography and traveling Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Larry Williams & Ruehle Photographix To 25-year-old Kelsey McArthur, of Ellicott City, Maryland, there’s no better feeling than when a horse she’s been working with “clicks” with her.

“It is the greatest feeling in the world,” she said. “To lay out a pattern that I am really proud of, and the horse is really getting it makes me feel very accomplished. If the judges also like it, that is icing on the cake.”

McArthur, now an Amateur competitor, fell in love with horses when she was just a baby. Her mom, Linda McArthur, always loved horses and made it her dream to have horses at the house.

One day, while driving by a fairgrounds near home, Kelsey told her mom that she thought showing looked fun and she’d like to give it a try.

She started competing at local open shows and kept advancing, competing at her first American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) show in 2012.

“We always look for horses that haven’t done much but we see potential in them,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to see how far you can take them.”

Horses like Outlaw For Hire, a 2008 sorrel gelding, sired by One Hot Krymsun out of Rebas Zippodeedooda, that she rode to a third place in Level 2 Hunter Under Saddle at the AQHA Youth World Show in 2015.

And then there was Got Alot Of Notice, a 2008 black gelding, sired by My Final Notice out of Somebody New. Together they were Reserve Champions in Youth Equitation and placed fourth in Showmanship at the 2016 National Snaffle Bit Association World Championship Show. They also placed fourth in Youth Showmanship 15-18 at the

titles in Open and Amateur competition, eight NSBA Championship titles and 12 futurity championships.

McArthur says he is quite the character.

“He took it upon himself to clear the working board with all the horse information on it at the APHA World Show only leaving his half brother So Much Yes,” she said. “I guess he decided he could carry the barn for the rest of the show.”

There Patton and McArthur won the Non-Pro 4-Year-Old & Older Hunter Under Saddle Sweepstakes, the Amateur Junior Hunter Under Saddle and the Gold Non-Pro 5Year-Old & Under Equitation Breed-

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ers Futurity.

Patton also won the 4-Year-Old & Older Hunter Under Saddle Sweepstakes, with Miller in the irons and was Reserve Champion in Intermediate Junior Hunter Under saddle with Natalie Hahn aboard.

A graduate of Delaware State University with a Bachelor of Science degree computer science and a Master of Business Administration, McArthur competed on the school’s Equestrian team for five years and served as media specialist for three. She currently works as EDI Administrator at Kelly Benefits, managing electronic data for an insurance company.

She admits horses are her first passion and credits Chris Gray with a lot of her success.

“He really helped me perfect my riding and gave me the tools I needed to succeed,” she said. “I have had several horses with him and all of them have helped me get higher in the rankings. I was with him for all of my youth career.”

Although horses are her first passion, McArthur says photography is a close second.

“I get pure joy when I take a stunning photo of someone or something that they will cherish for years,” she said.

When she is not at work or a horse show, McArthur loves to travel.

“I love to travel and explore new places! It is my goal to see the world while I still can,” she explained. “ I love hiking so I am always trying to find my next adventure. I hike at least once a month if not more.”

Kelsey McArthur is pictured on the opposite page with her current show partner, Ridin On Chrome and across the top (left to right) riding Patton; showing Sleepin In The Park at the NSBA World Show and traveling in California with Michelle Green.

On this page she is pictured (top) with Patton at the APHA World Show and next row (left to right) with her boyfriend, John Grau and her dog, Snooki.

Amateur Profiles are part of InStride Edition’s editorial content. If you know someone who would make a good subject for an amateur profile email Corrine Borton, Editor, at: CorrineBorton@InStrideEdition.com.

2017 Quarter Horse Congress; and were third in Level 2 Horsemanship at the 2017 AQHA Youth World Show.

Next came Sleepin In The Park, a 2009 brown gelding

by Too Seepy To Zip out of Jazz In The Park. McArthur showed him to three NSBA World Championship titles in Hunter Under Saddle and Equitation and a Reserve in Amateur Color Showmanship in 2020.

At the end of 2020 McArthur teamed with Ridin On Chrome (Patton), a 2019 double registered (AQHA/APHA) bay gelding by When In Chrome out of Shez Dressed Hotter.

“My mom saw a video of him on Facebook as a coming 2-year-old and he was so pretty we had to have him,” McArthur said.

Patton is in training with North Carolina trainer Keith Miller and to date has earned six APHA World Championship

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LEGAL FEES by Katherine Jarve Disputes over horse-related situations vary in the way they are litigated quires a $5,000 retainer to litigate the case, it is obviously not Many inquiries that I get from prospective clients involve disputes over relatively small amounts of money. A typical ex- worth retaining the attorney. So, what can you do? Are you shut out of the courthouse? ample would be a dispute over a training fee or boarding bill.

Every state has a small claims court, although the name Another example would be the refusal to refund a deposit for will vary depending on the state. These courts are typically sitthe purchase of a horse. After review of the case with the uated within each county and are established to resolve disprospective client, the discussion ultimately leads to the issue putes involving a relatively small amount of money. The of attorney fees. This is when reality usually sets in. maximum amount of money within the jurisdiction of a small Some people believe that the “loser pays.” Of course, most people also believe they can’t lose. However, the general claims court varies from state to state. For example, the small claims court or “Special Civil Court” in New Jersey will hear rule is that each party pays his or her own legal fees. Unless matters involving disputes of $15,000 or less. However, the the dispute involves a written contract that specifically adsmall claims court or “Justice Court” in Texas will only hear dresses the issue of attorney fees, each side will be responsible for his or her own legal fees and expenses. Only rarely will at- cases involving disputes up to $10,000.

Small claims courts are usually designed for people to reptorney fees be charged to the other side. resent themselves without hiring a lawyer. You’ve probably Other people believe that the attorney fee is based on a percentage of the recovery. Although this may be true in some contingency matters (i.e. most perEvery state has a small claims court, although the name sonal injury cases), it is rarely the case in a relawill vary depending on the state. These courts are typically tively small dollar amount dispute. Most attorneys situated within each county and are established to resolve will not accept a matter on a contingency basis unless they are fairly confident that they will be comdisputes involving a relatively small amount of money. pensated for the time, expense, and risk involved in seen one of the many daytime television shows where litigants litigating the matter. Unfortunately, very often it takes just as go to court and appear before a judge. Although there will be much time and expense to litigate a small matter as it does to some differences in procedure (and seriousness), the process is litigate a larger matter. generally the same. While the rules of evidence are usually reConsequently, the only real option in hiring an attorney in small cases is to retain the attorney on an hourly fee basis. This laxed, litigants should be prepared to appear before a judge and present all your documentary evidence for the judge to see. is easier said than done. Hourly rates charged by attorneys can Also, any witnesses should be prepared to come to court for vary considerably. An attorney’s geographic location, backlive testimony. If you have any questions about the proper proground, experience, and competence will drive the hourly rate.

The lowest rates are likely to be between $200 to $250 per hour cedure, then you can usually contact the court and speak to someone who can answer any questions and also provide you with the highest range being $500-plus per hour. Usually, the attorney will require a retainer. This is like a deposit, which the with the necessary paperwork to complete. The court staff are generally very helpful. attorney will bill against as the case proceeds. If the case concludes before the retainer is exhausted, then you will get a refund of the balance. On the other hand, if the case drags on for a long period of time, then you may need to replenish the reKatherine Jarve is a partner at the Marlton, New Jersey tainer from time to time until the case is over. The amount of law firm of Jarve Granato Starr, LLC. She is licensed in New the retainer requested can be for only a few hours of initial Jersey and Pennsylvania and maintains a practice in perwork or it may be for the full estimated time it will take to fully sonal injury and civil litigation, including equine related islitigate the matter. This can be negotiated between the prospec- sues. Katherine spent her childhood competing on the tive client and the attorney. national AQHA show circuit. This article is for informaUnfortunately, when the cost-benefit analysis is done, it tional purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. If may be cost prohibitive to retain the services of an attorney. you have a specific legal question or problem, consult with an You may literally be “throwing good money after bad.” If the experienced equine law attorney. Questions, comments or dispute involves the sale of a $5,000 horse and the attorney resuggestions can be e-mailed to kjarve@nj-triallawyers.com.

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ASSOCIATIONS

YOUTH OF YEAR FINALISTS (IN) NSBA NEWS The National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) and The NSBA Foundation have announced the 2023 Youth of the Year Finalists. The Youth of the Year Award recognizes youth who demonstrate dedication through volunteer work for a worthy cause and is awarded annually by the NSBA Foundation. This award is given in conjunction with the Susan Scott Memorial Fund, which was established to honor Susan’s memory.

Thanks to the support of NSBA membership, spearheaded by Susan’s daughter, Nancy Ditty, her husband Seth and son Luke, the Susan Scott Memorial Fund has blossomed to award a $4,000 scholarship to the winner with a $1,000 stipend to each of the four national finalists. The winner of the Youth of the Year Award will also have a $500 donation made to the charity of their choice.

Recipients include: Nick Culwell, Louisville, Mississippi; Anna Minich, Laport, Indiana; JR Pickard, Ocala, Florida; Sydney Sargent, Paris, Kentucky; and Olivia Wynn, Chana, Illinois.

The recipients will be recognized at the NSBA Honors Banquet on Aug.13, at the NSBA World Championship Show. For more information visit www.nsba.com.

CONGRESS ENTRIES (IN) OQHA NEWS Entries are now open for the 2023 All American Quarter Horse Congress. You can complete your online entries, book a hotel stay or purchase special event tickets by visiting www.oqha.com.

Entries are due Aug. 25 and the Ohio Quarter Horse Association has listed the online entry improvements for 2023: • Different payment and stalling agents for each horse entered.

• Reserve shavings, pellets and boards for each horse when you enter.

• Tack stalls paid for by the stalling agent and can be paid with different methods.

• Review of invoice before clicking the pay button.

MORE MONEY

AQHA ENHANCES 2023 WORLD SHOW PAYOUTS BY AT LEAST $600,000 The American Quarter Horse Association has announced announce that the AQHA Executive Committee approved enhancing the 2023 AQHA World Championship Show with a minimum increase of $600,000 in payouts, prizes and exhibitor appreciation. In an effort to improve the show, which also includes the Select World Championship Show and encourages growth focusing on AQHA members, the Association has implemented changes to the 2023 show.

The added money will reflect a 20% increase from previous years. Exhibitors at the 2022 AQHA World Championship

Show participated in a town hall discussion, with one of the requests being to increase class payouts. The addition of $600,000 for payouts, prizes and exhibitor recognition is a step in the right direction to meet the requests of AQHA exhibitors competing at AQHA World Championship events.

The 2023 AQHA World Show is slated for Oct. 26 - Nov. 16 in Oklahoma City. The national qualifying period began Aug. 1, 2022 and ends July 31.

For additional information about the AQHA and the World Championship Show, visit www.aqha.com.

RILEY FRANCIS AND EXECUTIVE TEAM TO LEAD YOUTH ASSOCIATION FOR 2023-2024 (IN) APHA NEWS New members of the AjPHA Executive Committee have been announced, following voting by AjPHA members in June 2023. Riley Francis will lead the AjPHA leadership team as president for 2023-2024.

The AjPHA Executive Committee is responsible for overseeing AjPHA activities, sharing information with their fellow Youth members, and helping govern and direct the course of AjPHA. The 2023-2023 AjPHA Executive Committee includes: • President: Riley Francis, Richland, Michigan.

• President Elect: Makenna Noon, Flat Rock, Michigan • Vice President: Colten Dulin, Nampa, Idaho • Secretary: Hunter Dulin, Nampa, Idaho • Treasurer: Lila Schinker, Mendon, Michigan • Zone 1: Hunter Dulin, Nampa, Idaho • Zone 4: Christina Andognini, Haslet, Texas

• Zone 6: Morgan Hobson, Grenada, Mississippi • Zone 8: Lila Schinker, Mendon, Michigan • Zone 9: Ava Mariotti, Ponte Verda Beach, Florida • Zone 10: Hannah Janssen, Delisle, Saskatchewan For more information visit www.apha.com.

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BUZZ

The

ON THE WEB (www.instrideedition.com)

2023 IEA NATIONAL SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCED LILLIAN MUZZY AND MEGAN FARRENKOPF

The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) annually awards a student rider the National Sportsmanship Award.

Proudly sponsored by EQUUS Foundation, this year's award is Professional AQHA and NSBA trainer Farpresented to Lillian (Lily) Muzzy, a Sophomore from Cato de ley McLendon and Joe Sibert were wed in a small family Casa, California who rides on the Chestnut Hills IEA Team. ceremony on July 7, The national award winner is selected from a group of ridin Whitesboro, Texas. ers who earned a Sportsmanship Award at a local, regional or Farley owns and op- zone IEA show during the 2022-2023 season. These winners erates Farley McLen- were then invited to submit an application for the National don Show Horses in Sportsmanship Award. As part of the application process, student Glencoe, Oklahoma. riders submitted a photo, resume, school transcripts, composed a Sibert is a bull hauler who enjoys roping 250-word essay explaining how horses and/or equestrian comevents. petition have influenced his/her life and three letters of recommendation. A panel of three judges evaluated each application AQHA and NSBA competitor Matt Lebrie, and determined the results based on a scoring rubric. of Southampton, Massachusetts, and Ash“Supporting teammates at competitions sometimes means ley Brooks were lifting them up when they are down or allowing them to lift you married on June 24 at up when you are down,” Muzzy said. “Showing and competing the Bar Harbor Club in provides many emotional ups and downs and often these are Bar Harbor, Maine. learning opportunities versus pure victories."

Ashley is a Registered An Honor Student with a 4.11GPA, Muzzy is a five-year Nurse (RN) at IEA member currently riding on the Chestnut Hills IEA Team, Baystate Children’s coached by Shayne Wireman out of Bonsall, California (Hunt Hospital in Springfield, Mass. And school Seat Zone 10). Previously, she rode on the Bridges Equestrian nurse at The Hartsbrook School in Hadley, IEA Team, coached by Ruthanna and Kendra Bridges out of San Massachusetts.

Juan Capistrano, California.

In addition to her IEA experience, Muzzy has an extensive resume of volunteer service including ministry work and animal (IN) DEATH AQHA past president C. W. "Bill" Ensanctuary support as well as competition experience outside of glund Jr. passed away July 10. Born in IEA which has warranted her countless awards and titles on the 1937 in Hollywood, national show circuit. She is a member of the United States California, Englund’s Equestrian Federation (USEF), United States Hunter Jumper Assofamily moved to Sali- ciation (USHJA), United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC), Californas, California, when nia Professional Horseman's Association (CPHA), and Pacific he was a young child. Coast Horse Shows Association (PCHA). Muzzy has also won He grew up on a multiple IEA Sportsmanship Awards during regular seasons and small stock farm and was involved with all has completed an impressive number of clinics and certifications kinds of livestock. He attended Cal Poly, during her young career.

San Luis Obispo and graduated from Cal In addition to the National Sportsmanship Award, a second Poly, Pomona in 1960 with bachelor's de- National Sportsmanship Award is awarded to the highest placing grees in animal Husbandry and senior sportsman. This year the award went to Megan FarBusiness/Ag Management. In 1976 Enrenkopf. glund became an AQHA director, which led A six-year member of IEA and honor graduate (4.19 GPA) him to serve three years as vice chairman of Mission Oak High School in Tulare, California, Farrenkopf also of the Show and Contest Committee, folserved as the 2022-2023 Zone 10 IEA Youth Board Representalowed by three years as chairman. He was tive and will attend college at UC Berkeley this fall. She is a AQHA president in 1992 and was inducted member of KZ Equestrian IEA Team in Exeter, California coached into the American Quarter Horse Hall of

by Kaitlyn Harding and was also a member of various academic Fame in 2002. clubs and served in leadership roles with Future Farmers of Amer

(IN) LIFE

Lillian Muzzy

Megan Farrenkopf ica (FFA) and other service organizations. Farrenkopf will also receive a $500 cash scholarship from IEA. For additional information visit www.rideiea.org.

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Arrington Perf Horses ......................36-38

Equine Healthcare Int ..............................6

Miller Show Horses .........................72-73

English Show Horses.80-81, 137, 144-145

Moody, Jeff .........................................128

Baker Futurity Horses ..............92-97, 137

Faulkner Show Horses .....................74-75

Nimigan, Sarah ....................................11

Baker Show Horses .............................2-3

Fisher, Alan ........................................141

North Farm .................................129-131

Bar H Photography .............................141

Folck Insurance ..................................141

Backes QH ........................................137

Barger QH .........................................137

Parrish Quarter Horses .........................139

Barry, Jon ...........................................141

Galyean, Gil .....................FC, 14-29, 138

Pickard Hanson Show Horses...........39-47

Blue Ribbon Tack ...............................137

Garcia Quarter Horses .........................138

Pilot Knob ..........................................136

BooYah Custom Clothing .....................139

Glover/Galyean .................................140

Powers, Tom ......................................141

Boxell, John .......................................138

Golden West ......................................137

Pye ....................................................106

Briere, Pierre ......................................137

Gumz Farms ......................................140

Britton, Blake ......................108-109, 136 Burris, Tony ........................................136

Recchiuti, Donnie ..............................138 Harris Leather ..............................20, 138

Roberts, Alyse ................................... 136

HIghPoint .......................................76-77

Roberts Quarter Horses ........................137

CAC Show Horses ...................12-13, 136

Horn, Ron ..........................................139

Ryan Geiger Photography ....................140

Caplinger Qtr Horses ...........................140

Hutchinson Perf Horses ........................103

Capital Qtr Horses ....................78-79, BC

Shane Rux Photography .......................141

Chafin Perf. Horses ............................139

Jeff Kirkbride Photography ...................138

ShowString .....................................86-91

Coast To Coast Trailers ..........................140

Jones, Chris & Melissa ...........................140

Smith, Colton .....................................126

Cochran Show Horses .................119-123

JML Design ........................................137

Starnes Insurance Agency ....................140

Cook, JR & Melissa ..............................2-3

Sweet Shop ........................................140

Corrival Ranch ................................86-91

Kathy’s Tails ........................................138

CR Ranchwear ...................................138

Kendalls Western Hats .........................136

CT QH ...............................................138

Kennedy, Kathie .................................139

Custom Tails ......................................140

Knelly, Laura ......................................137

Tali Terlizzi Show Horses .................59-67

Wheeler Show Horses ..........................136 Wilkes, Lisa ....................................52-57

DAC ..................................................139

Lakins, Kenny ..........................52-57, 136

Williams, Kathy .................................136

Darci’s Show Horses ...........................139

LaSusa/Legace .....................................98

Willis Show Horses .......................99-102

Davis, Wayne & Judy ...........................139

Leeman Farms ....................................139

DeBuhr Show Horses...........................110 Dobbs Insurance ................................136

Zeitler, Mark & Judy ............113-115, 141 Malone QH .......................................138

Zuidema Perf Horses ............................141

March To The Arch .............................134 Elite Trailers .......................................139

McLendon, Farley .....................5, 7, 9, 10

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