COURTNEY AMENT @COURTNEYAMENT CORRINE BORTON @CORRINEBORTON
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If you are watching the Amateur Hunter Under Saddle or Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturity at the National Snaffle Bit Association’s World Championship Futurity this month or at the Quarter Horse Congress, it will be easy to spot Amanda Smith.
She will be the one with the big smile on her face, courtesy of her show partner, Shop Class (Rusty).
Smith’s trainer, Farley McLendon found the 2019 sorrel gelding, sired by Mechanic and out of Hoos Skyline, for her last year and it took only one test ride for the New York native to know that “Rusty’ was the one for her.
“When Amanda cantered off and smiled, I knew he was the one,” McLendon said. “Rusty has presence, self-carriage and more of a kick ride. He’s perfect for a Non-Pro.”
Smith agrees.
“He is so gentle and kind. He wants to please and I believe he loves the show life,” Smith said. “He is easy to ride. Just thinking about him puts a huge smile on my face.”
Just two months after making Rusty her own, the new team placed in the top 15 in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle at the 2023 Quarter Horse Congress. Rusty also placed in the top 15 in the Open Hunter Under Saddle Maturity with McLendon in the irons as well as in the Junior Hunter Under Saddle with Brian Isabell aboard.
This year has been nothing short of remarkable so far. Rusty and Smith won the Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturity at the March To The Arch in Fort Worth and then followed that up with a win in the s
5-Year-Old & Over Level 1 Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle at the Premier.
Smith is no newcomer to the show world - she competed as a youth. But this time around it’s different.
The daughter of David and Cynthia Smith, she grew up in Syracuse, New York and graduated from Marcellus High School in Onondaga County.
Smith’s family owned horses while she was growing up and at age 6 she started her show career at little Summer Circuit Shows in Upstate New York.
“My first show horse was Jessie,” Smith said. “He was a big red Quarter Horse. I took lessons at a local stable that was very family oriented and fun. We would all attend the summer circuit weekend shows.”
When she is not showing, Smith’s job as president of Jag Environmental in Syracuse, keeps her quite busy.
“We specialize in asbestos abatement and demolition,” she explained.
It’s through her job that Smith met her husband, Tim Niedzwiecki, who works in the same industry. They split their time between Saratoga, New York and Naples, Florida.
“I knew Tim for a while before we dated,” she said. “He was always a very kind and positive person. He inspires me every day. We got married in Key West in December of 2022.”
In fact, it was her husband who encouraged Smith to return to her passion for showing horses three years ago.
So after an 11-year break, Smith purchased Shocking Hot Chips, a 2018 bay gelding, sired by Extremely Hot Chips out of Boom Shock Alocka.
Together they earned several circuit championships and year-end awards. Next Smith teamed with Al Southern Couture, a 2019 grey gelding, sired by Its A Southern Thing out of All About Couture. Together they won the 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturity at the Premier last year in Lexington, Kentucky; earned numerous circuit championships and finished the 2023 show year fifth in AQHA Amateur Hunter Under Saddle standings.
Now, teamed with Rusty, Smith has found her groove.
“It is very rewarding,” she said. “I dreamed of showing at this level as a
MARCH TO THE ARCH
Circuit Champions
Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturity
THE PREMIER
Champions - 5-Year-Old & Over Level 1
Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle
little girl and admired the people who did. It is hard to believe that I am able to and I am beyond grateful to have the support and the means to be a part of this amazing sport. Rusty plays a big part in that. Smith describes him as a kind, gen-
tle giant who is strong, consistent and always kind.
McLendon says Rusty has been great since the first day he joined her program.
“He’s strong and has both gears,” she explained. “His person-
ality is sassy and he knows he’s special.”
Now, a year later, McLendon just tries to keep him happy.
“He’s easy to prepare and he loves Amanda,” she said.
That translates into success in the show pen.
“I am a lot more relaxed this year and able to have fun,” Smith said. “I used to be so nervous going into the show ring. I think finding the right horse for me has really changed the showing experience.”
In fact, these days, the hard part is being able to juggle her work with her show career.
“If I had it my way, I would just ride horses all the time,” Smith said. “Thankfully, I have created a system to work on the road and I have a great office staff. My husband is also extremely supportive and as busy as he is, he makes an effort to come to each show, even if it’s for a day.”
She also gives a lot of credit to her
trainer and barn family for the rewards she now finds at horse shows.
“I am fully enjoying myself,” she said. “I have an amazing trainer and supportive barn family. It makes the experience enjoyable. It is nice to have
Amanda Smith is pictured on the opposite page (top) with her current show partner, Shop Class, a 2019 sorrel gelding by Mechanic out of Hoos Skyline and below that (left to right) in win photos from the March To The Arch and Premier Circuits. On this page (inset) Amanda’s trainer, Farley McLendon, presents Shop Class in an Open Hunter Under Saddle Maturity. Above, she is pictured with her husband, Tim Niedzwiecki, at the Saratoga Racecourse.
a barn family in your corner and want success for one another.”
McLendon says Smith clicked with Rusty right from the start and has worked hard for the success they have achieved.
“She has a lot of presence and listens well,” she said. “She is getting more and more confident and comfortable and looks like she belongs. It’s taken a little bit to get the mental game strong but it’s there.”
For the rest of this year Rusty will be shown at all the majors, including the NSBA World Show, Quarter Horse Congress and the AQHA World Show by Smith in Amateur and Non-Pro events; in Open Hunter Under Saddle classes by McLendon and in Limited Open by Isabel.
“I really hope Amanda can win the Congress,” McLendon said. “Next year we hope to add the Driving and maybe a little Hunter Hack.”
Smith is just enjoying the ride.
“I show first and foremost for fun and because I love horses,” she said. “I also love to set goals and try my best to meet them. My goals last year were met, so having a good ride is important to me. I want to come out of the show ring smiling and know we both did our best. Of course, trophies and belt buckles are always a plus!”
Western Pleasure. In terms of entries, it’s traditionally been one of the most popular classes at American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and American Paint Horse Association (APHA) and other breed association events. Large purses and prestigious titles have traditionally drawn big numbers to the pen to be evaluated on quality of movement.
The National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) was even established back in 1983 with a mission statement that included: “to define, promote and improve the quality of the pleasure horse” and the NSBA continues to sanction and promote futurities featuring Western Pleasure classes for the youngest of show contenders under saddle.
“By starting with a horse that already has a strong foundation and has been seasoned at hauling and showing, the all-around trainers are able to concentrate their efforts on teaching that horse how to do Trail, change leads and move more quickly into the desired event,” said Aaron Moses.
One of the reasons for the popularity of the Western Pleasure class is that it is a platform for all other western classes, such as Western Riding, Horsemanship and Trail.
But Western Pleasure has not been without its controversies. It’s the event discipline keyboard warriors love to hate - drawing sometimes brutal criticism for “unnatural gaits and too-low headsets.’ It’s also the class that has by far undergone the most analysis and redefinition by sanctioning organizations.
But still ... in the vast majority of cases, when seeking out a show
horse that will excel in pattern classes, all-around trainers turn to the Western Pleasure trainers.
Nowhere was that more evident than watching the $40,000 NSBA Open Trail Challenge at the Sudden Impulse Futurity at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida this past April, where nearly all of the top 10 winners had been successfully shown in Western Pleasure.
Texas Western Pleasure trainer Aaron Moses is a 13-time All American Quarter Horse Congress Champion, five-time AQHA World Champion and NSBA World Champion. He says there are multiple reasons all-around trainers look first to Western Pleasure contenders but one of the main reasons is that so much of the groundwork has already been done for them.
“By starting with a horse that already has a strong foundation and has been seasoned at hauling and showing, the all-around trainers are able to concentrate their efforts on teaching that horse to do Trail, change leads and move more quickly into the desired event,” he explained. “They are also able to scout the Western Pleasure classes and look for the horses that would be best suited to their needs.”
Colorado trainer Chad Evans won that Open Trail Challenge at the Sudden Impulse futurity with Sugaray, a 2015 gelding by RL Best Of Sudden out of Whatscookngoodlookin, who was shown as a 3-year-old Western Pleasure horse by Ray Arnona. He said that he looks at Western Pleasure contenders for his Trail and Western Riding horses because of several factors.
“The quality of the movement, but also length of stride, will allow the horse to have the ability to do other classes,” he said. “I believe that there are other factors to be considered as well, such as the nature of the horse’s mind, which is a big one. If the horse has taken to the training and mentally enjoys the day in and day out process of being trained, or if he likes being around people, all that goes into horse show life.”
Every young prospect needs to have learned the basics to be able to progress and develop into a successful show horse. Ohio Western Pleasure trainer Blake Britton says having these basics already in place can help trainers spot potential for talent in a different event.
“I think the all-around trainers look at Western Pleasure prospects because they can see all the talent and the stride they have or don’t have,” he explained. “I feel like they’d be at a spot in the horse’s s
ttt
Aaron Moses is pictured on the opposite page training a Western Pleasure contender for competition. On this page Chad Evans shows Sugaray to a win in the $40,000 added Open Trail Challenge at the Sudden Impulse Futurity held at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida this past April.
they can start teaching them about the other events.”
Britton explained that all basic horse training is the same, no matter the event.
Western Pleasure should be able to stop, turn, back up and lope or trot off with correctness and be maneuverable,” said Blake Britton.
“Every horse we train for Western Pleasure should be able to stop, turn, back up and lope or trot off with correctness and be maneuverable,” he said.
Building a Foundation
Like with teaching a child, what’s important is a solid foundation. One task successfully accomplished leads to another, and so on. No matter what a Western Pleasure horse may graduate on to next, a solid training foundation will help set them up for success in the future.
“I think it’s important that all horses, no matter what their end goal may be, have a foundation of being ‘broke’ and have rideability that can be easily translated to any event,” Moses said. “I try to keep that in mind throughout the training process and I think it’s important not to get too far off track in creating a specialized
Training a horse to have self-carriage, for example, is an important element for any horse in any discipline. Since this is a big part of the foundational training Western Pleasure horses receive, it serves them well as they transition to something else later.
“If a pleasure horse has self-carriage, that will really carry over to the other classes,” Evans said. “When you are out in the pen by yourself, it’s important to have a horse that can carry itself through the pattern, through transitions, through obstacles and when backing up. All eyes are on you, so self-carriage is the name of the game.”
Moses acknowledges that while individual events have become more specialized, the intended purpose of the Western Pleasure class is to be the foundation class for the other events.
“I look for those qualities – balance, rhythm, and self-carriage– in a Western Pleasure contender and those are the same qualities that help a horse succeed as an all-arounder.”
There are tons of factors that apply to the importance of foundational training, according to Evans.
“I try to pick a horse that has had the homework done,” he explained. “A quality program focuses on selfcarriage, the quality of movement and the horse’s brain. It’s important to take the time to teach the horse all that foundation. A nice pleasure horse is so fun to ride, and teaching it the other events only makes it more fun.”
Making the Transition
Since the basics are already in place when a Western Pleasure horse is purchased to transition into other events, it’s easier for its new trainer to play around and see what they might excel at next.
“In the beginning, I start going forward and just messing with different events,” Evans said. “I take them over poles, gallop through some lead changes, and see where their aptitude lies. Based on that, I try to decide the horse’s future, such as do we focus on one event and get it really good at it? Or, some horses enjoy learning a little of one thing and then a little of something else. For a Trail contender, I start with two-step trot overs and just work on those until the horse gets confident finding his steps. I think it’s a great way to teach them and the foundation of Trail.”
If they are lucky, an all-around trainer may find that those elements and maneuvers come with the Western Pleasure horse.
“I use a lot of the elements of the all-around events in my training process,” Moses said. “For example, one of the first things my young horses learn is how to counter canter and basically put their bodies in a lead change position. I use a lot of speed changes and acceleration at a stage of training, like galloping through their face, etc. This usually makes it a pretty easy transition. I feel like it’s a failure in my training or something I neglected, if a horse gets extremely lost or resistant when the elements of the all-around are introduced.”
Keeping The Future In Mind
Evans, Moses and Britton all agree that it’s important to keep in mind that a Western Pleasure horse can excel in other events and to keep that in mind throughout the training process.
“I’ve been lucky to have had Western Pleasure horses that have gone on to have success in other events,” Evans said. “A current one for me is Whose Your Bay Bae. He was a successful Western Pleasure horse, but you could tell he was going to be a great all-
around horse by his movement to his carriage.”
By the time Evans got him Whose Your Bay Bae was mentally bored with the event.
“He loved the challenge of the all-around events,” Evans said. “He really loves to use himself and do athletic things.”
Moses said all Western Pleasure trainers should keep in mind that their own longevity depends on their ability to train horses for the long term.
“One of the best things we can do for the health of our event is to make sure our product is one that can translate to, and is desirable for, the all-around program,” he said.
Britton thinks the future is bright.
“The number of Western Pleasure horses that go on and become great all-around horses is extremely high,” he said. “That is the great thing about our breed – it’s so versatile that these horses can do many events.”
Pictured on the opposite page is Ohio Western Pleasure trainer Blake Britton. On this page (top) Texas trainer Aaron Moses with one of the many Western Pleasure Champions he has trained; and Chad Evans riding the 2019 AQHA All-Around Junior Horse Whose Your Bae Bay.
76th Annual event draws competitors to OKC
It takes a special horse to be able to win World Championship titles in both Hunter Under Saddle and Western Pleasure. But then again, Ashley Anthony, of Winter Haven, Florida says Watch Me Burn (Olive) is way more than special.
The 2020 mare by Rageous Blaze and out of Faithful Persuasion, put an exclamation point on that statement when she added half a dozen new titles to her already impressive dossier at the Appaloosa Club (ApHC)’s 76th Annual National Appaloosa Show and World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show, June 26 to July 3 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Watch Me Burn captured National and National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) Championship titles in Non-Pro Western Pleasure and Performance Halter Mares with Anthony; a Reserve National Championship in Green Western Pleasure, with Brian Garcia; a Reserve National Championship in Open Performance Halter Mares with Sean Schembri; and a Reserve World Championship in Lead Line with Anthony’s daughter, Ashley.
“Cheryl Schembri (of Yucaipa,
Florida) is her trainer and has believed in Olive since day one,” Anthony said. “Cheryl knew how much I loved showing, and had a couple years of not showing. She asked me if I wanted to show Olive hunt seat as a 2-year-old because she was so tall and it would allow her to grow up some before doing western. I said yes and Olive won the 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle that year along with five other World and National championships. Cheryl is reason Olive and I are successful.”
Anthony said that what helped her win the Non-Pro Western Pleasure title this year was her “look.”
“I think what sets Olive apart is she’s absolutely gorgeous and such a nice, soft mover,” Anthony explained. Olive’s dam, Faithful Persuasion, recently passed, but had quite an impressive produce record. She was the dam of the winner in the 35 & Over Western Pleasure; the Masters Western Pleasure; and the Reserve National Champion in the Non-Pro Western Pleasure, in addition to Olive’s accomplishments.
Anthony says Olive is a “sweetheart” who loves attention.
“She lived at my house until the end of her yearling year and everyone adores her,” she said. “She will always come up to you with ears up either in the pasture or the stall. She is wonder-
Text Brianna Huggins Photos Ruehl Photographix
ful with my daughter, who started showing Olive last year in the Halter and Lead Line. She’s just so sweet and also talented, which makes it such a pleasure to own and show her.”
Chase Wilkerson has been attending the Appaloosa National Show for as long as he can remember. His father, Heath, is a professional trainer so he has always had a front row seat to the action.
“Things do get busy helping out as the trainer’s son but it is also makes it more enjoyable to watch everyone else in our barn compete because I’ve worked with all of the horses and all the competitors are like teammates to me,” he said.
This year, Chase and his show partner, Rageous Thang, a 2020 gelding by Rageous Blaze out of Do My Thang, captured a Championship title of their own in the Non-Pro Showmanship there.
Wilkerson’s family owned Do My Thang’s sire and dam so they have owned him all his life. Heath Wilkerson has always been his trainer with Chase helping out along the way.
“I was the one who taught him Showmanship with my dad as the coach and my brother, Ty, helped me a lot with that as well,” Chase explained.
He said Do My Thang’s calm attitude helped out a lot at this year’s show.
“He showed great and did a really good job keeping his
cool,” Chase said.
“We also were the first to go in the class and got stuck in the chute due to some technical difficulties but it didn’t phase him. He is very smart and has gotten really good with his maneuvers but this was first time for Showmanship (at a World or National Show) and it felt like we truly locked in as a team and were able to execute everything together perfectly.”
For Chase, it’s Rageous Thang’s size and personality that sets him apart from other horses.
“As he has matured we realized he is also very smart and picks things up quickly,” he said. “For me, his personality and background set him apart.”
Chelsea Reynolds in no stranger to the National Appaloosa Show and World Championship Youth Show. In fact, this year marks her sixth straight appearance at the event. Reynolds attended in 2018 in her rookie year as a professional. After that, she joined the team at Char O Lot Ranch as an assistant and competed through 2023. This year was extra special to her because Reynolds now serves as head trainer at Advantage Ranch in Blacksburg, Virginia, and she is on the front line of presenting a group of horses and competitors showing in youth and adult classes.
She marked that first year with a win in Limited Green Trail and a Reserve in Green Trail with Shez Kryptonite (Daisy), a 2015 mare, sired by Batt Man out of Simply A Miracle and a championship in Limited Senior Trail with Trophy Wife.
“Daisy” became part of the Advantage family in late March as a first Appaloosa for her owner and youth rider, Abi Burrows,” Reynolds explained. “As you can imagine, it takes a hard-working team of trainer, coaches, and riders to have a new horse ready for the National show in less than three months.”
Reynolds has known Daisy for several years and says she appreciates the outstanding start she received in Trail by Jessica Palasek.
“Daisy is an honest competitor in the Trail arena and this contributed to her being part of my Limited Champions duo of mares at this year’s Nationals, Shez Kryptonite, Limited Champion in Green Trail, and Trophy Wife, Limited Champion in Senior Trail. Its easy to love my job when I get to play with horses like these.”
Pictured on the opposite page (bottom) is Watch Me Burn and Ashley Anthony, winning the Non-Pro Western Pleasure at this year’s National Appaloosa Show. On this page, Chase Wilkerson and Rageous Thang complete their winning pattern in Non-Pro Showmanship. Also featured are scenes from this year’s National Show and World Championship Youth Show. s
Reynolds says she has great expression over the course, which makes for a very pretty picture.
“She is really good at transitions and her stride length makes it easy for her to hit the distances in all pole work.
This year’s champions include:
Leadline
Leadline 6 & Under: Certainly A Charlie and Malie Cardenas.
Western Pleasure
Junior Western Pleasure, 3-Year-Old Snaffle Bit Western Pleasure and Green Western Pleasure: That LL Do and shown by Robert King.
Non-Pro Western Pleasure: Watch Me Burn and Ashley Anthony.
Masters Non-Pro Western Horsemanship: Roan Star and Scott Adcock.
Limited Green Western Pleasure: Invited For Chocolate and Taylor Pearson.
Ladies Western Pleasure: Red Chocolate and Mackenzie Fallis.
Masters Non-Pro Western Pleasure: Feel The Burn and Deborah Geraci.
Youth Walk Trot Western Pleasure 10 & Under: Good Timin Charlie and Aubrey Astrin.
Limited 3-Year-Old Snaffle Bit Western Pleasure: Certainly Hope So and Hope Gill.
Youth Western Pleasure 14-18: Rock My Motion and Anya Leland.
Non-Pro Walk-Trot Western Pleasure: Lazy With The Color and Jessica Groome.
Novice Youth Western Pleasure 1418: The Caped Crusader and Simran Krishnamurthy.
Novice Youth Western Pleasure 13 & Under: Ever So Chocolatey and Addyson Barber.
Limited Senior Western Pleasure: Charlies All Ablaze and Virginia Williams.
Senior Western Pleasure: Stylist Chocolate and Mackenzie Fallis.
Mens Western Pleasure:Lazy Loping Hands and Colton Cruse.
Novice Non-Pro Western Pleasure: Lazy Loping Hands and Amy Beth Kennedy-Reynolds.
Non-Pro 35 & Over Western Pleasure: Feel The Burn and Deborah Geraci. Trail
Novice Youth Trail 14-18: Born Blazin Hot and Clara Aierstock.
Youth Trail 13 & Under: Lil Louie Loper and Mackenzie Shrout.
Youth Trail 14-18: PCE Lopen Lazy and Samantha Cichos.
Youth Walk Trot Trail 11-18: Good Timin Charlie and Abigail Astrin.
Novice Youth Trail 13 & Under: Lil Louie Loper and Mackenzie Shrout.
Walk Trot Non-Pro Trail: Its A Country Thing and Barbara
Novice Non-Pro Trail: How About Now and Susan Jansen.
Limited Green Trail: Shez Kryptonite and Chelsea Reynolds.
Green Trail: Breakfast At Tiffanys and Pat Odell.
Limited Senior Trail: Trophy Wife and Chelsea Reynolds.
Senior Trail: Colorful Assets and Jessica Hughes.
Masters Non-Pro Trail: Krymsun Kid and Jill Galiotto. Non-Pro Trail and 35 & Over Non-Pro Trail: Colorful Assets and Jessica Hughes.
Limited Junior Trail: Salt On The Rim and Kristin Pokluda.
Junior Trail: Straight Fire and Kelly Sweeney.
Youth Walk Trot Trail 10 & Under: Kat Ona Hot Tin Roof and Reese Groome.
Brutzman.
Halter
Limited Performance Halter Geldings: Suddenly Ima Charlie and Taylor Pearson.
Performance Halter Geldings: Rageous Thang and Timothy Jackson.
Non-Pro Performance Halter Geldings: Rageous Thang and Chase Wilkerson.
Performance Halter Mares: Breakfast At Tiffanys and David Parlier.
Youth Performance Mares: Watch Me Burn and Adeline Anthony.
Youth Performance Geldings: Suddenly Ima Charlie and Rory Tauer.
Non-Pro Performance Halter Mares: Watch Me Burn and Ashley Anthony.
Horsemanship
Novice Non-Pro Western Horsemanship: Choclate Done It and Timbre Kott.
Non-Pro 35 & Over Western Horsemanship: Colorful Assets and Jessica Hughes.
Non-Pro Western Horsemanship: Thedevilmademedoit and Carissa Cruse-Montes.
Youth Horsemanship 14-18: Rock My Motion and Anya Leland.
Youth Walk Trot Horsemanship 11-18: Good Timin Charlie and Abigail Astrin.
Novice Youth Horsemanship 14-18: The Caped Crusader and Simran Krishnamurthy.
Youth Walk Trot Horsemanship 10 & Under: Ramona Hunter and Virginia Piccirillo.
Youth Horsemanship 13 & Under: The Lazy Version and Gabriella Walior.
Novice Youth Horsemanship 13 & Under: Lil Louie Loper and Mackenzie Shrout.
Non-Pro Walk Trot Horsemanship: Lazy With The Color and Jessica Groome. Hunter Under Saddle
Non-Pro 35 & Over Hunter Under Saddle: Only High Assets and Kay Bjorklund-Strandlund.
Masters Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle: Rezurvation Required and Shelly Williams.
Limited Senior Hunter Under Saddle: One Hot Blue Boy and Kelsey Wilson.
Senior Hunter Under Saddle: All About The Blue and Kristin Pokluda.
Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle: Only High Assets and Kay Bjorklund-Strandlund.
Limited Junior Hunter Under Saddle: Totally Sweet Assets and Nicole Rice.
Junior Hunter Under Saddle: Ima Big Deal and Virginia Williams.
Youth Walk Trot Hunter Under Saddle 10 & Under: Ramona Hunter and Virginia Piccirillo.
Youth Hunter Under Saddle 14-18 and Novice Youth Hunter Under Saddle 14-18: Jae Lo and Kobyn Greathouse.
Youth Walk Trot Hunter Under Saddle 11-18: Im Sleepin In and Abigail Astrin.
Youth Hunter Under Saddle 13 & Under and Novice Youth Hunter Under Saddle 13 & Under: All Handmade and Mckendra Mecca.
Non-Pro Walk Trot Hunter Under Saddle: Totally Hot Details and Chelsea Beil.
Limited Green Hunter Under Saddle: U Betcha Im Hot and Jessica Hadden.
Green Hunter Under Saddle: Ima Big Deal and Virginia Williams.
Novice Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle: Allocated By Design and Carmen Conrad.
Equitation
Non-Pro Equitation: Timeless Talent and Isabella Doan.
Non-Pro Walk Trot Equitation: Its A Country Thing and Barbara Brutzman.
Non-Pro 35 & Over Equitation: Down Town Charlie and Jennie Shrout.
Youth Walk Trot Equitation11-18: Good Timin Charlie and Abigail Astrin.
Masters Non-Pro Equitation: Lope The Line and Ted Zajac.
Youth Equitation 13 & Under: Colored With Class and Ella Weaver.
Youth Equitation 14-18: PCE Lopen Lazy and Samantha Cichos.
Novice Youth Equitation 13 & Under: All Handmade and Mckendra Mecca.
On the opposite page (top), Chelsea Reynolds guides Shez Kryptonite to a win Limited Green Trail. Some additional images from this year’s event are featured on both pages. s
Novice Equitation 14-18: Born Blazin Hot and Clara Aierstock.
Novice Non-Pro Equitation: One Hot Zip Code and Susan Van Barneveld. Pleasure Driving
Limited Pleasure Driving: Hubbout A Kiss and Ashley Bailey.
Pleasure Driving: Lads Playboy and Arturo Maestas.
Non-Pro Pleasure Driving: Lads Playboy and David Beck.
Hunter Hack
Non-Pro Hunter Hack, Limited Non-Pro Hunter Hack and Open Hunter Hack: Whadjadowithmychips and Lari Wells.
Showmanship
Youth Showmanship 10 & Under: Leavum Uncolored and Austin Shrout.
Novice Youth Showmanship 14-18: Lads Fashionista and Vivienne Schmidt.
Youth Showmanship 1418: Rock My Motion and Anya Leland.
Novice Youth Showmanship 13 & Under: Charlie Davidson and Aubrey Bandy.
Youth Showmanship 13 & Under: Suddenly Ima Charlie and Rory Tauer.
Masters Non-Pro Showmanship: Roan Star and Scott Adcock.
Non-Pro Walk Trot Showmanship: Bayberry Hunter and Jessica Groome.
Novice Non-Pro Showmanship: Hunting By Moonlight and Emma Erickson.
Non-Pro Showmanship: Rageous Thang and Chase Wilkerson.
Youth English Showmanship 13 & Under: Ever So Chocolatey and Addyson Barber .
Youth English Showmanship 1418: Rock My Motion and Anya Leland. Western Riding
Open Western Riding and Non-Pro Western Riding: Colorful Assets and Jessica Hughes.
Youth Western Riding 18 & Under: PCE Lopen Lazy and Samantha Cichos.
Limited Green Western Riding and Green Western Riding: Down Town Charlie and Kelsey Wilson. Ranch
Non-Pro Ranch Riding: Nuggets N Tinseltown and Katie May.
Limited Green Ranch Riding: Dr
Ed Dunit and Jim Jirkovsky.
Green Ranch Riding and Junior Ranch Riding: Fly A Lil High and Stephanie Stull.
Limited Junior Ranch Riding: Andrews Cowgirl and Steve Bennett.
Limited Senior Ranch Riding and Senior Ranch Riding: Nuggets N Tinseltowna and Katie May.
Green Ranch Reining: Dr Ed Dunit and Jim Jirkovsky.
Novice Non-Pro Ranch Rail Pleasure: Fly A Lil High and Kay BjorklundStrandlund.
Non-Pro Walk-Trot Ranch Rail Pleasure: Zipsspectacularmagic and Melanie Zimmerman.
Non-Pro Ranch Rail Pleasure: Andrews Cowgirl and Jill Bennett.
Novice Non-Pro Ranch Riding: Andrews Cowgirl and Jill Bennett.
Non-Pro Walk-Trot Ranch Riding: Jailhouse Tattoo and Teryl Spencer.
Youth Ranch Rail Pleasure 18 & Under and Ranch Riding 18 & Under: My Vaquero Tattoo and Haley Pierce.
Limited Green Ranch Rail Pleasure and Green Ranch Rail Pleasure: Lazy
Impulse and Michelle Hare.
Limited Senior Ranch Rail Pleasure: Nuggets N Tinseltown and Katie May.
Senior Ranch Rail Pleasure: Smart Code Cracker and Tristanna Carrell.
Non-Pro Walk Trot Ranch Trail: Jailhouse Tattoo and Teryl Spencer.
Non-Pro Ranch Trail: Smart Code Cracker and Tristanna Carrell.
Green Ranch Trail: Fly A Lil High and Stephanie Stull.
Walk Trot Equitation 10 & Under: Burnin Down The House and Ayla Seger.
Limited Junior Ranch Trail: Frosty By Design and Katerina Bistra.
Junior Ranch Trail: Fly A Lil High and Stephanie Stull.
Limited Senior Ranch Trail: Justa Lucky Dreamer and Lori Graves.
Senior Ranch Trail: High Caliber Gun and Christopher Dennis.
For additional information on this year’s event or the association visit www.appaloosa.com.
GOLF CARTS by Katherine Jarve
You could be held legally responsibility for accidents that happen at shows
It seems like horse shows and golf carts go hand in hand. Everyone has one (or wishes they had one) to help get around the fairgrounds. Many horse shows are held at sprawling facilities where trekking from the stalls to the show ring to the show office to the horse trailer to the warm-up ring and back again can be exhausting and time consuming. To get where you need to go fast, competitors and trainers have long been bringing golf carts to horse shows to make it easier to get around.
However, it’s no secret that golf carts can also cause an array of problems. Golf cart related accidents and injuries are unfortunately very common. If you’ve ever been to a horse show with golf carts, chances are you’ve seen a group of youth kids whiz by on a golf cart, a young futurity horse spook from an unsuspecting golf cart driving by too close, or even heard of someone having a “near miss” with a speeding golf cart.
But what happens if that “near miss” becomes a direct hit? Can you be sued for the damage that you or the driver of your golf cart caused to another competitor or that newly crowned World Champion? The answer is yes and there are a growing number of lawsuits filed against golf cart owners for all types of injuries sustained at horse shows.
cident. However, most standard homeowner’s insurance policies provide little, if any, coverage for golf carts. This is especially true once you leave your home. Some insurance companies allow you to add an endorsement to your existing homeowners or car insurance policy to help better cover your golf cart. If your insurance carrier does not offer an endorsement, consider purchasing a separate policy for your golf cart. Policies on the market that start as low as $75 per year.
Golf cart insurance can provide you protection in a variety of circumstances. Similar to car insurance policies, golf cart insurance policies typically offer the following coverages: (1) Property damage liability. If you are found legally responsible
Most horse shows, including the Quarter Horse Congress and AQHA World Shows, require that only licensed, adult drivers operate golf carts regardless of local laws.
So what can you do to protect yourself? First and foremost, practice responsible golf cart ownership. Only permit adult, licensed drivers to operate your golf cart. Each state has its own rules regarding the age requirements for driving a golf cart. In most states, including Florida, an operator of a golf cart must be at least 14 years old. On the other hand, some states, like Texas, require that an operator be 16 years old. As a result, what may be considered an acceptable age in one place could be illegal in another. Regardless of each state’s threshold age requirements, the best practice is to only allow adults to operate golf carts. Simply put, your 13 and under youth kids should not be operating a golf cart no matter how responsible they are. Most horse shows, including the Quarter Horse Congress and AQHA World Shows, require that only licensed, adult drivers operate golf carts regardless of local laws.
In addition, make sure that your adult driver is capable of handling the golf cart. Do not allow someone who has been drinking to drive the golf cart. Even if you loan your golf cart to a licensed adult who then causes an injury to another person or horse, you could be liable for “negligent entrustment” of your golf cart and for any damages caused by the accident.
Next, you should consider purchasing golf cart liability insurance. Many people mistakenly assume that their existing homeowner’s or automobile insurance will cover a golf cart ac-
for an accident that damages another person’s property – for instance, that champion show horse you accidentally backed into outside the wash racks – this coverage may help you pay for the damage; (2) Bodily injury liability. If you cause an accident that hurts another person, including your passenger, this coverage may help you pay for the other person’s medical bills, pain and suffering, and other related expenses; (3) Collision coverage. This coverage may help you pay for repairs to your own golf cart, regardless of who is at fault, if you collide with another cart or another object in an accident. (4) Comprehensive coverage. If your golf cart is vandalized, stolen, or damaged by something other than a collision – fire or hail, for instance –this coverage may help pay to repair the damage. Of course, there may be other “bells and whistles” that you may be able to add to your policy in order to tailor it for your needs.
Katherine Jarve is a partner at the Marlton, New Jersey law firm of Jarve Granato Starr, LLC. She is licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and maintains a practice in personal injury and civil litigation, including equine related issues. Katherine spent her childhood competing on the national AQHA show circuit. This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. If you have a specific legal question or problem, consult with an experienced equine law attorney. Questions, comments or suggestions can be e-mailed to kjarve@nj-triallawyers.com.
Roan Horse Association presents 6th World Show in Murfresboro, Tennessee
Text Brianna Huggins and Corrine S. Borton Photos Ryan Geiger
It was his first appearance at an American Roan Horse Association (ARHA) World Championship Show but Ohio trainer Jim Chafin, made it count.
Chafin teamed with My Ride Or Dye, a 2021 red roan gelding by VS Goodride out of She Iza Keeper, to wins in both the Roan To Riches Western
Pleasure Futurity and the Junior Western Pleasure at the ARHA’s sixth annual World Show, presented July 11-13 at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in conjunction with The Southland Circuit.
Chafin said My Ride Or Dye has been coming along nicely in his training process so he felt confident as the show
date got closer that he would show well.
“He came into the show with a good attitude, ready to do his job,” he said. “He is one of the most dependable horses I’ve ever ridden.”
Not even the new surroundings rattled My Ride Or Dye.
“He Settled really well in a new environment,” Chafin said. “He had never been in that arena prior to this show. He is always been quick to settle in new environments, though.”
One of the things Chafin attributed to My Ride Or Dye’s ability to succeed in the Western Pleasure events is his ability to focus on the task at hand.
“When he shows is he will completely tune out everybody else in the ring, all the horses... everything he just worries about himself,” he explained. “ He goes tunnel vision for his job and knows what he has to do.”
In addition to his wins in Open Western Pleasure classes, Shanae Hardy, also of Geneva, Ohio, teamed with My Ride Or Dye to win the Amateur Western Pleasure.
“He stepped up, really strong for her,” Chafin said. “And she piloted him really well.”
It may have been Chafin’s first appearance at a ARHA World Show but it will not be his last.
“I really have to take a second to complement the show committee and the Southland circuit and Sarah Wells with the ARHA,” he said. “ These are serious class act people taking great care of their exhibitors and just running a well organized and well-oiled show.”
And if you think Chafin made his presence known at the ARHA World Show, just wait until you hear about Brock Lesnar. The 2017 red roan gelding, sired by The Rock out of Always Be Good (TB), won six World Championship titles – Non-Pro Halter Geldings, Youth Hunter Under Saddle, Youth Western Pleasure, Youth Equitation and Youth Trail – and one Reserve – Youth Horsemanship – with Youth competitor Isabella Hamilton, of Eaton, Ohio, and two more – Senior Trail and Senior Hunter Under Saddle – with Ohio trainer Lynn Puthoff.
“I went to try him in October of 2022 and my client, Helen Voss, bought him,” Puthoff said. “He’s been a part of my training/show string ever since.”
Puthoff said Brock Lesnar is quite fun to ride.
“Like all horses he has his off days but he has become super consistent,” she explained.”
Puthoff was equally thrilled with both class wins.
“I love the all-around but the Sen-
ior Hunter Under Saddle was a great win because I do love a great English horse,” she said. “The Trail however was so exciting! It was quite competitive and I take it slow developing my Trail horses so when our go was so fluid and slow it was team work at its best.”
Hamilton, who started leasing Brock Lesnar, in January said she was most proud of their win in Western Pleasure.
“Let me tell you a little about Brock, he is a great all-arounder and is very good in the western events but, he excels in the Hunter Under Saddle and Equitation,” Hamilton said. “He is a nice mover but again is more of an English type of guy. We felt fairly confident in a top five placing (in Western Pleasure) but not unanimous champions out of 14. He was very on his game and tuned in so it was a very exciting and special moment.”
The following is a list of all winners at the 2024 ARHA World Show: Western Pleasure
R2R Western Pleasure Futurity
(12 shown) – Champion: My Ride Or Dye (VS Goodride x She Iza Keeper); owned by Chafin Performance Horses; shown by Jim Chafin, $1,868.62
Green Western Pleasure (12 shown) – Champion: Rumors Lies N Alibis, owned by Cheyenne Goldsmith, Fayetteville, Tennessee, shown by Jeremy Price.
Junior Western Pleasure (6 shown) – Champion: My Ride Or Dye, owned by Chafin Performance Horses, shown by Jim Chafin.
Amateur Western Pleasure (15 shown) – Champion: My Ride Or Dye, owned by Chafin Performance Horses, shown by Shanae Hardy.
Senior Western Pleasure (11 shown) – Champion: Martini On The Rox, owned by Michelle Rod, Houston, Texas, shown by Colton Plyman.
Youth Western Pleasure (12 shown) – Champion: Brock Lesnar, owned by David Hamilton, shown by Isabella Hamilton, Eaton, Ohio.
Halter
Open Halter Mares (6 shown) –Champion: NL No Sweeter Initials, owned by Gretchen Jackson, shown by Timothy Jackson.
Jim Chafin is pictured on the opposite page winning the Junior Western Pleasure with My Ride Or Dye. On this page (left) Ohio trainer Lynn Puthoff guides Brock Lesnar to a win in Senior Trail and Isabella Hamilton and Brock Lesnar complete their Equitation pattern. s
Non-Pro Halter Mares (15 shown): NL No Sweeter Initials, owned and shown by Gretchen Jackson.
Non-Pro Halter Geldings (16 show) – Champion: Brock Lesner, owned by David Hamilton, shown by Isabella Hamilton, Eaton, Ohio.
Open Halter Geldings (8 shown) – Champion: Know Im Vested, owned by Cathy Hockenberry, shown by Donald Jox.
Amateur Halter Stallions (1 shown) – Champion: Certified Best, owned and shown by Tom Mapes.
Open Halter Stallions (1 shown) – Champion: Certified Best, owned and shown by Tom Mapes.
Longe Line
R2R Longe Line Futurity: (7 shown) - Champion: Strutin My Best (Strutin On The Range x TJ Whoopi On Lopin); bred by Noble Hills Farms; owned and shown by Jeff Geiger; $1,869.62
Amateur Longe Line (5 shown) – Champion: Sure To Bea Rockstar, owned and shown by Kerri Rae ClausmanStone, Waterloo, Iowa.
Open Longe Line (6 shown) – Champion: Strutin My Best, owned by Jeff Geiger, shown by Riley Geiger. Hunter Under Saddle
R2R HUS Futurity (14 shown) - Champion: Rideitlike U Stole It (VS Goodride x She Made It Happen), bred by Brenda Gower; owned by Matthew Peddy; shown by Maryah Cugno; $1,859.62
Green Hunter Under Saddle (9 shown) – Champion: Savvy N Jetsettin, owned by Shane Glover, shown by Matthew Poche.
Junior Hunter Under Saddle (6 shown) – Champion: Rideitlike U Stoleit, owned by Matthew Peddy, Apex, North Carolina, shown by Maryah Cugno.
Senior Hunter Under Saddle (5 shown) – Champion: Brock Lesnar, owned by David Hamilton, shown by Lynne Puthoff.
Non-Pro Walk-Trot All-Age Hunter Under Saddle (15
shown) – Champion: Majestic Rock, owned and shown by Brookelyn Hermann.
Youth Hunter Under Saddle (12 shown) – Champion: Brock Lesner, owned by David Hamilton, shown by Isabella Hamilton, Eaton, Ohio.
Amateur Hunter Under Saddle (7 shown) -Champion: Rideitlike U Stoleit, owned and shown by Matthew Peddy, Apex, North Carolina.
Non-Pro Walk-Trot Hunter Under Saddle (6 Shown) –Champion: Firsttimeforevrything, owned by Jennifer Taufmann, Vandalia, Ohio, shown by Lola Malynn Taufmann.
Horsemanship
Walk-Trot Horsemanship (11 shown) – Champion: On A Wing N A Prayer, owned and shown by Miranda Nikole Cord, Winchester, Kentucky.
Youth Horsemanship (13 shown) – Champion: The Roan Show, owned and shown by Molly Mullady, Dublin, Ohio.
Amateur Horsemanship (13 shown) – Champion: Good To Be Irish, owned and shown by Jessica Mosley-Cairncross, Tiny, Ontario, Canada.
Equitation
Youth Equitation (12 shown) – Champion: Brock Lesner, owned by David Hamilton, shown by Isabella Hamilton, Eaton, Ohio.
Amateur Equitation (7 shown) – Champion: Full Code, owned and shown by Kaylee Ann Mueller, Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
Walk-Trot Equitation (4 shown) – Champion: My Frosted Chip, owned and shown by Madison Rahn.
Trail
R2R Trail Futurity: (10 shown) – Champion: VS Fashion Show (VS Code Red x Imagen Me Dancing); bred by Becky George; owned by Kate Upton; shown by Colton Pylman; $1,869.62
Green Trail (12 shown) – Champion: PSU Luv N A Goodbar, owned by Dean Saul, shown by Hayley Kitner.
Youth Trail (9 shown) – Champion: Brock Lesner, owned by David Hamilton, shown by Isabella Hamilton, Eaton, Ohio.
Amateur Trail (6 shown): Champion: PSU Luv N A Goodbar, owned by Dean Saul, shown by Hayley Kitner.
Open Trail (8 shown): Champion: Brock Lesner, owned by David Hamilton, Eaton, Ohio, shown by Lynne Puthoff.
Non-Pro Walk-Trot Trail (5 placed) – Champion: A Rush Of Adrenaline, owned and shown by Della-Ivy Jones, Guntown, Mississippi.
2-Year-Old & Under In Hand Trail (1 shown) – Cham-
Pictured on the opposite page (clockwise from top left) are: Sure To Bea Rockstar and Kerri-Rae Clausman, Amateur Longe Line Champions; Stoplookin I Get Red and Lauren Bishop, Amateur Showmanship Champions; and Good To Be Irish and Jessica Mosley-Cairncross, Amateur Horsemanship Champions. On this page (clockwise from upper left): Invest N Code Red and Dennis Moffett, Open Ranch Trail Champions; Rideitlike U Stole It and Brenda Gower, R2R Hunter Under saddle Futurity Champions and Know Im Vested and Donald Ox, Open Pleasure Driving Champions.
pion: Offshore Rockin, owned by Jennifer Peterson, shown by Mark Peterson.
Western Riding
Non-Pro Western Riding (6 shown) – Champion: The Kissing Code, owned and shown by Kaitlin Purssord, Lewis Center, Ohio.
Open Western Riding (2 shown) – Champion: Drinks At A Goodbar, owned by McClellan, Pensacola, Florida, shown by Scott Tyrell. Ranch
Youth Ranch Riding (3 shown) – Champion: Kissin The Clouds, owned and shown by Baylee Fleming.
Amateur Ranch Riding (3 shown) –Champion: Lucy Lou Jonez, owned and shown by Michelle Dare, Gainesville, Texas.
Open Ranch Riding (4 shown) – Champion: Peaches And Dreamz, owned and shown by Barry Bolton, Henderson, Tennessee.
Non-Pro Ranch Rail (5 shown) – Champion: Lucy Lou Jonez, owned and shown by Michelle Dare, Gainesville, Texas.
Open Ranch Rail (6 shown) - Champion: Peaches And Dreamz, owned and shown by Barry Bolton, Henderson, Tennessee.
Youth Ranch Trail (1 shown) – Champion: Blackies Good Bar, owned by Sarah Chabot, Maryville, Tennessee, shown by Ruthie Hall.
Amateur Ranch Trail (2 shown) – Champion: Lone Creek Blu, owned and shown by Lexi Renner, Delaware, Ohio.
Open Ranch Trail (3 shown) – Champion: Invest N Code Red, owned by Dirk and/or Bridget Hunt, Reagan, Tennessee, shown by Dennis Moffett.
Pleasure Driving
Open Pleasure Driving (1 shown) – Champion: Know Im Vested, owned by Cathy Hockenberry, Fleming, Ohio, shown by Donald Ox.
Amateur Pleasure Driving (1 shown) – Champion: Know Im Vested, owned by Cathy Hockenberry, Fleming, Ohio, shown by Donald Jox.
Reining
Non-Pro Reining (2 shown) – Champion: Lone Creek Blu, owned and shown by Lexi Renner, Delaware, Ohio.
Amateur Showmanship (21 shown) – Champion: Stoplookin I Get Red, owned and shown by Lauren Bishop. For additional information on the American Roan Horse Association, visit www.ridearoan.com. ttt
Open Reining (1 shown) – Champion: Lone Creek Blu, owned and shown by Lexi Renner, Delaware, Ohio.
Showmanship
Youth Showmanship (12 shown) Champion: Wrap Up The Money, owned and shown by Maycee Watt, Benton, Kentucky.
GENETIC SECRETS by Jordan Strickler
New University of Kentucky research project aims to transform equine and animal science
In what could be a leap forward for equine science, a Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment researcher is helping spearhead a three-year project to map the genetic blueprints of 13 horse breeds and their relatives.
Funded by a $765,000 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, this initiative, entitled “Functionally Annotated Equine Pangenome with Infrastructure for an Accessible, Integrative, Community Genomics Resource,” aims to further understand equine genetics. It also hopes to pave the way for advancements in health, performance and disease prevention of equine genetics.
“Traditionally, genetic research has relied on a single reference genome for a species, which can exclude breed-specific variations. In contrast, a pangenome integrates multiple reference genomes, capturing the unique genetic features of different breeds,” said Theodore Kalbfleisch, professor of veterinary science at the UK Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center. “This comprehensive approach helps scientists see the full genetic diversity within a species, crucial for understanding traits like temperament, wellbeing and disease susceptibility.”
Project scope and goals
Comparison: By comparing the genomic data across different breeds, researchers can identify genetic differences that contribute to unique traits in each breed.
This research can improve horse health, performance and breeding decisions in the equine community along with other agricultural animals. Moreover, the findings will be shared on a genomics platform for easy access by everyone, regardless of bioinformatics expertise.
The project’s anticipated outcomes include:
• Improved Health and Performance: Insights into genetic factors that affect health and performance, enabling targeted breeding programs.
By comparing these genomes, researchers aim to identify the genetic factors that influence traits such as temperament, well-being and susceptibility to diseases.
• Disease Prevention: Identification of genetic markers for diseases, allowing for early detection and prevention strategies. Enhanced Understanding: A deeper understanding of equine biology and evolution through comprehensive genetic data.
Kalbfleisch and his multi-university team will generate accurate, haplotype-resolved genome assemblies for 13 horse breeds, including the Arabian, Belgian, Icelandic and Thoroughbred. They will also extend this study to include a zebra and donkey. By comparing these genomes, researchers aim to identify the genetic factors that influence traits such as temperament, well-being and susceptibility to diseases.
The team will use advanced sequencing technology to map both the DNA and RNA of the horses. DNA holds the genetic instructions for long-term traits, while RNA shows which DNA parts are actively making proteins – the essential components of life.
This involves several key steps: DNA Sequencing: The genomic DNA (gDNA) of each breed will be sequenced to identify the complete set of genes.
RNA Analysis: RNA, which is produced from DNA and used to make proteins, will be analyzed to understand which genes are active in different tissues.
Annotation: The RNA data will be mapped back to the gDNA, identifying which parts of the genome are being used to produce proteins. This helps in understanding the function of specific genes.
“This project is not just about horses,” Kalbfleisch explained. “It sets a precedent for genetic research in other agricultural animals. The techniques and tools from this project can benefit other species, advancing genetic studies and boosting animal health and productivity universally.”
Also involved in the study are researchers from Texbreas A&M, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Minnesota.
This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2024-67015-42330. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Department of Agriculture.
Jordan Strickler is an Agricultural Communications Specialist at the University of Kentucky and a freelance writer. He earned a bachelor of science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Kentucky and a certificate of Equine Administration from the University of Louisville.
For more information send email inquiries to CE Huffman at: ce.huffman@uky.edu
Ju�n Mel�n
When it comes to training horses ‘one size does not fit all’ for this Ohio professional
Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Jesica Babic and Crystal Holman
For 28-year-old Justin Melvin there are no “one size fits all methods” when it comes to training horses.
“I like to learn what works for each horse specifically,” he explained. “Some horses may learn more quickly than others and some may need to be started a little slower.”
Melvin became seriously involved with show horses in 2011, following in the footsteps of his older sister, Lyndsay. It was while he was watching the Western Pleasure classes at the 2009 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Youth World Show in 2009 that he realized he wanted to show on a more serious level.
His show partner for Youth and Amateur competition was Prinzziples N Cash, a 2003 bay gelding by Prinzziple and out of Miss Cash Asset. Together they earned numerous top 10 Youth placings at the Quarter Horse Congress in Western Pleasure and Trail. As Amateur competitors Melvin and Prinzziples N Cash were top 10 in Level 2 Trail at the AQHA World Championship Show.
In 2016 Melvin went to work as an assistant trainer for Dough Rath in Ohio, where he remained until 2021 when he moved to Purcell, Oklahoma to work as an assistant trainer at Gil Galyean Quarter Horses, polishing his Western Pleasure skills.
There he had the opportunity to ride and show such decorated contenders as Made Ta Order, Sleep Over, The Chrome Shoppe and Sleep N The Moonlite.
“Made Ta Order was the first horse I showed while working for Gil,” Melvin recalled. “We won at numerous futurities including the Tom Powers and The Sudden Impulse.”
Melvin rode Sleep Over to a fourth place finish in the 2-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure at the 2022 Congress and he piloted The Chrome Shoppe to a fourth place in that same class in 2023.
In addition to riding himself, Melvin got the opportunity under Galyean’s direction to coach several successful Non-Pro contenders, including Bill Cox and Sleep N The Moonlite, winners of the Level 2 Amateur Select Western Pleasure at the AQHA World Show in 2023 and Robbie Herman and The Chrome Shoppe, who placed fourth in the 2-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure at the 2023 Quarter Horse Congress.
After working as an assistant for a total of eight years, Melvin moved back to Ohio to open his own facility in April of this year and feels ready for the job.
“Gil doesn’t only teach you how to ride horses, he teaches you how to run a business and be well respected,” Melvin explained. “Gil allowed me to work with clients and their horses one-on-one and entrusted me to prepare the horse and the client for shows. This really allowed me to understand the whole process from start to finish and allowed me to see what all It takes to have clients of my
own. I was very fortunate to have some great success while working for Gil to gain to confidence I needed.”
His new operation is situated on five acres in Delaware, Ohio and includes a 15-stall show barn, a 178-by72-foot insulated indoor arena; an apartment and viewing room; and six turn-out lots. There is also a large pole barn for hay, bedding and trailer storage.
Melvin will specialize in the preparation of Western Pleasure futurity horses and western all-around contenders.
“I really enjoy starting the young horses and to see their progress over time,” he explained. “I know that Western Pleasure isn’t for all horses, so I enjoy being able to try other things with them to see where they are going to excel, like the Trail, Western Riding, etc. While working for Gil our main focus was always Western Pleasure, but I would enjoy every chance I got to take some of the horses over poles and do some lead changes with them.”
Justin Melvin is pictured on the opposite page with his new wife, Anna. Below that he is shown (left) with Made Ta Order after winning the Limited Horse Limited Rider Open Western Pleasure at the 2021 Tom Powers Futurity and aboard Sleep Over after placing fourth in the 2-Year-Old Maiden Western Pleasure at the 2022 Quarter Horse Congress. On this page he is pictured (top) doing some fishing and at his July wedding to Anna Trucco.
Melvin will also coach and prep Youth and Amateur riders for competition.
“My favorite part of the job is when I can feel the horse figure it out and things start to click,” he said. “When you start a horse from the very first ride, It is very rewarding when everything comes together. I also enjoy seeing horses I have trained and ridden, go on to new owners and have success in other events, not just the Western Pleasure. I also enjoy when clients are able to have successful rides and feel like they are able to enjoy the ride with their horses.”
In July, Melvin also celebrated another major milestone in his life when he married Anna Trucco, after eight years of dating.
“We actually met showing horses in 4-H in 2010 and then I began showing horses at the same barn as her,” he explained. “We grew up friends and didn’t start dating until 2016.”
Melvin attended Buckeye Valley Local School K-12, where he played basketball and football through sixth grade and he was on the Bowling Team in High School, graduating in 2014.
When he is not riding or at a show, Melvin enjoys golfing, fishing, watching sports, working out and spending time with family.
“I think a good work life balance is very important, and these are the things I enjoy doing to maintain that balance,” he explained.
Melvin describes perfect happiness is being able to run a successful business with training horses and clients doing well at shows while being able to enjoy his life outside of horses.
“I never want to feel burnt out by my job, so I think having balance is a very important part to allowing me to bring my best self to my job day in and day out,” he said.
And he has always taken to heart this important bit of advice:
“If you have a dream, chase it,” he said. “I feel like this advice was a big part of my motivation when I moved out to Oklahoma away from my family. I knew I had a dream to be a horse trainer, and I knew what I needed to do to accomplish it. When I moved, I was chasing my dreams.”
You can reach Melvin by calling (740) 513-6976 or via his Justin Melvin Show Horses Facebook Page.
Open Profiles are part of InStride Edition’s editorial content. If you know someone who would make a good subject for a professional profile email Corrine Borton, Editor, at: CorrineBorton@InStrideEdition.com.
BUZZ
(IN) LIFE
AQHA and NSBA trainer TR Potts, of South Carolina, has been named Western Coach for the University Of South Carolina’s Division I Equestrian Team. Potts worked for several different trainers and stables before starting his own business, Potts Performance Horses, LLC, in 2000 in East Windsor, Connecticut. It was relocated to Fountain Inn, South Carolina in 2013. Potts attended Boone High School where he was a wrestler. After high school, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University in 1998.
Kaitlyn McCulley was awarded the inaugural T. Joe Jeane Memorial Scholarship in 2023, and continues into her second of three years of the award as a veterinary student this fall. The T. Joe Jeane Memorial Scholarship is a three-year $12,000 scholarship awarded to an NSBA member following the completion of their first year of veterinary medicine, and distributed over the final three years of veterinary school. McCulley attends Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine.
(IN) DEATH
The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) has partnered with On the Go Fuel to offer members diesel fuel discounts at over 4,500 major truck stops, including a nationwide network of recognizable fuel providers. An additional five cents of every gallon purchased will come back to American Quarter Horse Youth Association programs.
The On the Go fuel card requires no credit application and has no additional fees and can be used hauling a trailer to shows, to fuel up personal or business fleets.
programs will help engage more youth members.”
On The Go Fuel officials say they are thrilled to work with AQHA and its members to ease the cost of fuel while helping the youth programs.
More advantages for AQHA members include:
• The same fuel discounts as commercial fleets
• View savings in real-time with the 24/7/365 AQHA Fuel Portal
• Access the AQHA Fuel Portal to service your account
Carolyn Isabella Craddock, 17, of Johnstown, Ohio, passed away on July 11. She competed with Batt In The Night, a 2013 sorrel gelding by Batt Man in American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) events. In addition to the AQHA and NSBA, Carolyn held multiple leadership roles in the Ohio Quarter Horse Association (OQHA), Eastern Ohio Quarter Horse Association (EOQHA) and Southern Ohio Quarter Horse Association (SOQHA).
“Traveling to AQHA shows and events is fun, but we understand fueling up can be painful for your wallet,” said AQHA CEO Karl Stressman. “We are excited to offer this new member benefit and partner with On the Go Fuel to lighten the load and provide rewards for fueling up. The support we will receive for youth
• View fuel pricing and find discounted fuel locations
• Generate fuel reports
About On The Go Fuel
For more information on the On The Go fuel card visit www.aqha.com.
AQHA FUEL CARD SUPPORTS YOUTH PROGRAMS MEMBERS SAVE 15 CENTS PER GALLON AND FIVE CENTS MORE COMES BACK THROUGH PARTNERSHIP TIME MAGAZINE’S ANNUAL LIST FOR 2024 WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN OCALA, FLORIDA NAMED ONE OF WORLD’S GREATEST PLACES
The World Equestrian Center, in Ocala, Florida, is listed on TIME Magazine’s annual list of the World’s Greatest Places, which highlights 100 extraordinary destinations to visit and ay stay worldwide.
The WEC is one of 50 hotels and resorts to make the annual list and the only Florida resort featured on the stay list. Just 13 U.S. hotels and resorts are in-
cluded this year. Recognized for its oaklined campus in central Florida’s horse
country, the resort was chosen thanks to the recent opening of The Riding Academy Hotel, which added an additional 390 rooms to the 378-acre property in March “cementing WEC’s leisure appeal” along with the property’s flagship hotel, The Equestrian, and the resort’s horse shows and events, many luxury boutiques and restaurants and “chateau-worthy wine list.”
ASSOCIATIONS
NEW JUDGES APPROVED
(IN) AQHA NEWS
The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Executive Committee recently approved new judges that will be held to the highest standards when judging American Quarter Horses at AQHA-approved events.
The following judge applicants were approved by the AQHA Judges Committee to attend the 2024 judges qualifying exam in May.:
All-Around: Christie Arrington of Graceville, Florida; Matthew Claypool of Xenia, Ohio; Michael Colvin of Union Bridge, Maryland; Jason Contreras of Sanger, California; Carmen Mayabb of Ocala, Florida; Stephanie McConnell of New Trenton, Indiana.
Progressive All-Around: Amber Clark of Jefferson, Ohio; Kevin Hood of Penrose, Colorado.
International: Rikke Benjaminsen of Aspach, Austria; Dora Gocze of Brande, Midtjylland, Denmark.
Roping: Clay Logan of Granbury, Texas; Marty Simper of Tremonton, Utah.
Cutting: Joe Ammann of Westmoreland, Kansas.
Halter: Mitch Leonarski of Williamstown, New Jersey.
Team Penning/Ranch Sorting: Joe Ammann of Westmoreland, Kansas.
Reining: Eugenio Latorre of Palautordera, Barcelona, Spain; Jared Leclair of Tioga, Texas
Level 1: Makenzie Knipe of Canyon, Texas;
Versatility Ranch Horse: Ryan Cole of Downs, Kansas; Becky George of Hockley, Texas; Jamieson Gross of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Shannon Curl-Holbin of Vero Beach, Florida; Sylvia Katschker of Feldkirchen, Austria; Valerie Kearns of Richmond, Illinois; Darren Miller of Corrales, New Mexico; Morgan Pennington of Sedalia, Colorado.
Working Cow Horse: Eugenio Latorre of Palautordera, Barcelona, Spain.
To learn how to apply to be an AQHA judge, visit www.aqha.com/become-a-judge.
COLOR BREED CONGRESS
PHBA, ABRA, NSBA CLASSES AND MORE OFFERED IN TULSA THIS FALL
The Pinto Horse Association of America (PtHA) will present the 2024 Color Breed Congress Nov. 1-9 in Tulsa, Oklahoma with PHBA, ABRA, NSBA, All Breed Ranch Horse, Long Ear Congress, and Long Ear Futurity classes.
PtHA will offer cash challenge classes and provide venue for the Cash for Color Futurity classes. The Color Breed Congress is nine days long featuring over 500 classes for all disciplines awarding congress champions and reserve champion titles.
No qualification is needed as Color Breed Congress is open to all current PtHA members.
PtHA will present over $200,000 in prizes, including high
point awards for each discipline from Gist buckles, Perri’s Halters, Tioga Territory jackets, chairs and more.
PtHA offers webcast coverage of all three arenas throughout the show that can be located on our website. You can find the previous days of the show webcasting located on th association’s YouTube page. The PtHA Heritage Foundation will sponsor the annual chili cookout one evening and welcome all exhibitors and family to join.
For additional information on this year’s event, including entry information and sponsorship opportunities visit www.colorbreedcongress.com.
ANNA MINICH AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP FROM NSBA FOUNDATION (IN) NSBA NEWS
Anna Minich, of Laporte, Indiana, has been named the recipient of the 2024 National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) Foundation Scholarship. She will receive a total scholarship of $2,000 paid over the next two years.
Minich is the oldest of six children and the daughter of Lucas and Kimberly Minich, and grew up on her family’s dairy farm. A recent graduate of Laporte
High School, Minich pursued a scienceheavy and agriculture-based curriculum, taking every science course available in her school. She was named valedictorian of her class and will attend South Dakota State University this fall, where she will major in animal science. She will also compete on the SDSU equestrian team in Horsemanship. She plans to become an equine veterinarian.
Horn, Ron ............................................85
Hutchinson Perf Horses ...................27-29
Jamie Dowdy Show Horses ......................7 Jeff Kirkbride Photography .....................84
Jones, Chris & Melissa .............................86 JML Design ..........................................83
Show Horses ...............................54-55 Kathy’s Tails ..........................................84 Kendalls Western Hats ...........................82
Kennedy, Kathie ...................................85 King Show Horses ...........................32-37
Knelly, Laura ........................................83 Lakins,
