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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
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
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.
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.
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
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. s
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.
“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
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.
“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.”
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.
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
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.”
Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Courtney B. AmentOver$140,000 in cash, prizes awarded at 2nd annual event
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.
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 s
ssscondition. 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.”
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 …
Text Brianna Huggins Photos Ruehle Photographix$1.35 M in cash, prizes awarded as new champions crowned
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
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.” s
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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
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.”
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.
“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
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.
Competitors continue to prove big prizes, fun result in big numbers
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.
“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
Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Cody Parmenterfor 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. s
• 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.
by Meriel Moore-Colyer
Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Ali Hubbel, AE Photography & Cody Parmenter
Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Larry Williams & Ruehle Photographix
