COVER STORY
FARLEY McLENDON 12-16
By Corrine S. BortonPhotos by Shane Rux & Cody Parmenter
FEATURES
ON THE ROAD: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SHIPPING YOUR HORSE 23-26
By Nikki Alvin SmithPhotos by Corrine S. Borton & File Photos
MARCH TO THE ARCH: EXHIBITORS ATTEND
2023 EVENT FOR BIG PURSES, GOOD CAUSE 36-39
By Corrine S. BortonPhotos by Jeff Kirkbride & Courtney Ament
BIG PAYOUTS: VIRGINIA MAIDEN DRAWS UNSHOWN
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Life is good for Farley McLendon.
With a thriving training operation in Glencoe, Oklahoma, nice horses like Whatza Matter, Extremely Custom, Al Southern Couture and Hot Dig It, to show along with great clients, these days she’s counting her blessings.
Since as far back as she can remember, McLendon has known she wanted to train horses for a living, even though it was not what her parents wanted for her.
I guess you could call it her destiny.
McLendon’s late grandfather, Harry Mullins, was a director emeritus for the Georgia Quarter Horse Association and her mother, Sharon, showed for years in Georgia, where McLendon grew up.
“I was on a horse before I was born,” she revealed. “My mom also helped form the National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) and I was named after multiple American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Champion Farley Barbera.
These days McLendon really has focused on Hunter Under Saddle classes in her own operation but ironically, it didn’t start out that way.
“My first experience with English (riding) came from a lady named Robin Landers,” she explained. “ Mom wanted me to experience more than just the Western Pleasure so off to English lessons I went .... kicking and screaming.”
She did try other things. She played soccer all of her youth and even after high school as she worked toward her Associate of Science degree in Biology at Gordon College in Georgia.
But the pull was too strong. By 2004 McLendon was married and moved to Texas, where she says she really learned a lot.
“I gave up my Non-Pro card and jumped right in,” she said. “I never really worked for anyone but learned a lot by watching, trying different things and developing my feel.”
McLendon earned her first Quarter Horse Congress Top 10 with This Cat Can in 2007. Two children later, McLendon divorced in 2015 and started her own operation in Oklahoma in 2021.
“I’ve had to pay a lot of dues and work hard to get to where I am,” she admitted. “I also learned a lot being around the Reiners and cow horse guys. A broke horse is a broke horse!”
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McLendon’s operation in Glencoe includes 15 stalls in a barn situated on 70 acres of pastures, filled with cattle where she can ride; a small covered arena and a walker.
“I keep my group small so I can give the babies the time they need,” she explained. “I have a great set of amazing clients and recently hired Michaela Darroh, my former youth kid, as my assistant. It been great having another set of eyes.”
McLendon specializes in the preparation of Hunter Under Saddle contenders and showing young futurity horses and she knows exactly what she likes.
“The perfect Hunter Under Saddle horse has to have heart, be trainable and love their job,” she explained. “Good conformation, good bone, a strong back and hock are a must and this horse can trot and canter with ease.”
While McLendon leans toward the Hunter Under Saddle contender, she has also trained and exhibited Western Pleasure horses as well and she also enjoys coaching Youth and Non-Pro competitors.
“I really like riding prospects from the beginning too because you get to know their personalities quickly,” she said. “I strive to make broke, non-complicated horses and I love it when the horses figure out what you’re teaching them and are enjoying their jobs.”
Team McLendon is already off to a great start for 2023 and her goal is to keep that going through the AQHA World Show in November. Some of her major contenders include:
Whatz A Matter, a 2020 sorrel gelding sired by What Matters Most and out of Dont Toot My Horns. “Wallace’ was bred by Hedy Levin and is owned by Holly Taylor, of Pinckney, Michigan.
“We really liked his movement and especially his topline,” Taylor said.
Wallace will make his debut in the new 3-Year-Old Maiden Hunter Under Saddle class at the Premier in May and then will be shown in Open 3-YearOld events throughout the year.
“ I started him slow January his 2-year-old year since he is a May baby,” McLendon explained. “He is a really good trotter with eye appeal.”
Taylor does not plan to show him but instead enjoys buying and selling prospects with McLendon’s help.
“Farley is hard working and puts the best interest of her horses first,” Taylor said. “I’ve had several horses with her over the past six years. I really like that all the horses get turned out, trail ridden and exposed to cattle and other disciplines. There’s nothing like a Reiner flying by your 2-year-old.”
Extremely Custom, a 2021 AQHA sorrel gelding, sired by Extremely Hot Chips and out of A Secret Impulse. “Kevin” was bred by Terry Bradshaw Quarter Horses and is owned by Rebecca Edward, of Billings, Montana.
“I happened upon Kevin when I called (Terry Bradshaw Quarter Horses) about breeding Miss Allocations to Extremely Hot Chips,” McLendon explained. “I told them I had Hot Dig It and really liked him and wanted to try and replicate that. While on the phone Scott Weiss told me he had one there that he wanted me to look at so off I went and Kevin came into the barn at the end of January. Becki likes doubles so he was right up her alley.”
McLendon said Kevin is super sweet and very laid
“He has a wicked front leg and likes to please,” she said. “He makes it fun for me.”
McLendon plans to show Kevin in the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Green Hunter Under Saddle at the Premier in May and then in the 2-Year-Old Open Hunter Under saddle at the APHA World Show, followed by other 2-Year-Old classes throughout
Hopefully, Edward will also get a chance to show Kevin in Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle classes as well.
Al Southern Couture, a 2019 AQHA gray gelding, sired By It's a Southern Thing and out of All About Couture. “Fynn” was bred by Debbie Hodde and is owned by Amanda Nicole Smith, of Manilus, New York.
Fynn placed third in the Level 2 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle with Smith in the irons and in the Top 10 in Level 1
Hunter Under Saddle. He was Circuit Champion in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle at the 2023 Prairie Classic and at the March To The Arch. He and Smith placed third in the Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle at the Virginia Maiden Circuit/Spring Breakout this year.
“Fynn came to me last October,” McLendon explained. “He’s a funny dude that loves his treats. He has a lot of eye appeal and rail presence. He’s a cool trotter and wants to canter around easy. He’s been easy to work with and gets better and better.”
He will be at all the majors this year and will be shown by Smith in Non-Pro and by McLendon and/or Darroh in Open classes.
“Fynn is literally the sweetest boy,” Smith said. “He is a gentle giant. He tries so hard and he makes me so proud. Now that I have Fynn and Farley in my life, my main goal is to have fun, but I would love to bring home a trophy from a major show. With the guidance of Farley, we are already off to a good start. We have already come home with multiple circuit championships and top placings.”
Smith says even though she has only been working with McLendon for a short time, she has already taught her so much.
“Horse shows are enjoyable under her guidance,” she said. “I look forward and get excited for each upcoming horse show. She takes amazing care of my horses and I know they are healthy, happy and performing at their best.”
Hot Dig It, a 2020 AQHA bay gelding, sired By Extremely Hot Chips and out of Natural Artifact. “Stretch” was bred by Melissa Meeks and is owned by Rebecca Edward, of Billings, Montana.
Stretch earned a Reserve Congress Championship in Hunter Longe Line and got to McLendon in October through fellow trainer Beckey Schooler.
“He is a great trotter and has a great hock at the canter,” McLendon said. “ He is very pretty and has a lot of presence. He won’t be 3 until May so I’ve tried to let him mature and finish him at the same time.”
Stretch placed third in the $50,000 Added 3-Year-Old & Over Hunter Under Saddle at the March To The Arch with McLendon in the irons, taking home a check for $4,666.67 and he finished Reserve in the Super Sires portion of the class. At the Virginia Spring Breakout Circuit Stretch and McLendon were Reserve Champions in the Novice Horse Hunter Under Saddle and earned Level 1 Hunter Under Saddle Circuit Championship at the Prairie Classic and Junior Hunter Under Saddle Circuit Championship at the Texas Festival. To date, he had over $8,000 in total earnings.
“He’s a funny one too, he is bold but also reclusive,” McLendon said. “He totally gives you the little boy getting in trouble look.”
Stretch will be shown at all the major futurities through the AQHA World Show and Edward will also begin to show him in Non-Pro classes.
“He’s a horse I can see keeping and adding classes after futurities, like Equitation and maybe even Trail because he’s got such rhythm to his lope,” Edward said. “I love him that much! I have to have surgery the middle of May so unfortunately I won’t be able to show him until probably NSBA which is killing me! But then I plan to do NSBA, Congress, anything else we can find to make up for me getting such a late start on personally getting to show him.”
Edward says she thinks McLendon is great to work with as a trainer.
“I had never even personally met her until The Premier last year,” she explained. “I had bought two horses with/through her and she had been riding them since
December but we didn’t meet until Kentucky and it was seamless from day one. She has the horses so prepared and ready that it’s really easy to get on and show behind her. I’ve done well with her coaching style.”
Hard work has always been at the core of McLendon’s training philosophy.
“Broke is broke,” she said. “Exposing the babies to as much as I can helps me with my job. My end goal is always the same but each horse has a personality so I might have to go different routes to get to the goal.”
It’s a philosophy that’s served her well as she has trained or shown numerous successful show horses including:
• Sleep Alilbit Longer - Quarter Horse Congress Champion, AQHA Reserve World Champion, NSBA World Champion, Tom Powers Triple Crown winner
• Vinn Diesel - Congress Champion
• Kruze Control - Reserve Quarter Horse Congress Champion
• Im Always Sleepy - Congress Champion, Reserve Level 2 Amateur Select World Champion
• Best Be Sleepin In - Congress Champion
McLendon also trained: Last One Matters, Made To Sleep, Lucky To Sleep, Al Be Bleu, PSU Only The Blues, Daydream In The Sky, Cruzin For Cocktails, This Cat Can, Aabit Arrayed and SWF Crystal Story.
“Each of these all have their own personalities and quirks,” she said. “Finding what works for them and keeping them happy makes me happy.”In addition to training very successful show horses, McLendon has also coached several Non-Pro winners at the Quarter Horse Congress and NSBA World Show.
She says her greatest achievement, however, was earning a Reserve AQHA World Championship in Junior Hunter Under Saddle riding Sleep Alilbit Longer.
“God put that horse in my life to show me when to get out of the way and to show,” she explained. “He taught me to trust my instincts. I was a total underdog on a great horse. Never in a million years did I think I would ever have that opportunity. It still makes me cry to think about it. That horse gave me his heart. I was also able to take him to the Tom Powers Triple Crown win. Not many horses have been able to achieve that but we did it.”
McLendon says there is absolutely no way she could have such a successful career without her support team, which includes her daughter, Ellie Mae, 14; son, Cross, 9; her fiancé, Joe Sibert; and her parents, Mike and Sharon.
“I could not do what I do without my family, fiancé and great clients,” McLendon said. “It’s the genuine, honest people who you surround yourself with that is most important.
Always ask the party shipping your horse how they handle the hay/grain and water needs of your horse en route. It is often prudent to eliminate any grain ration from the diet 24 hours before, during and after horse transport although the U.S.D.A. facilities do not offer a non-grain option for import or export centers.
hen you entrust your beloved horse’s welfare to someone else it is always a difficult decision.
In many instances negative situations could easily have been avoided if a few simple protocols were followed. Ultimately, the one that suffers the most in a badly handled transport of a horse is the horse itself.
In today’s world of immediate information there is no excuse not to do the math on how to best transport a horse. Either long distance, (and the United States certainly qualifies for that), short distance but delayed travel (lots of parts of Europe, navigating huge American cities) or even internationally.
If you don't have your own trailer and have to hire someone to transport your horse it is important that you address the following concerns before you hand over the lead rope with your horse on the end of it into the hands of someone else.
Is The Carrier Licensed and Insured?
Interstate carriers are required to fulfill a laundry list of special requirements, which naturally includes insurance, safety flares and triangles, medical kits, driver hours and mileage logs to name but a few. Their equipment often also requires a driver with a commercial drivers license. Often two drivers are required.
At a minimum the carrier should have a Federal Motor Carrier license (M.C. license). Companies that haul horses are required to have interstate Operating Authority (MC number) in addition to a DOT number. When booking a carrier be certain to verify that this license number is valid and that the license has not expired and that it is verified to their address and contact information. This information can be obtained online. The M.C. license requires insurance so this covers your horse for loss or damage during transport.
Are You Insured?
If your horse inadvertently hurts someone while being loaded/unloaded or during the trip do you have liability protection against a damage suit? If you don't it is fairly easy to obtain as part of a membership to the United States Equestrian Federation (U.S.E.F.), American Horse Council through your local county office or through other equestrian organizations. If you have professional status (you receive any type of payment for horse training services either by barter value or hard dollars) then these insurances will not apply. They are offered for amateur riders/owners only. You will need to purchase professional insurance. These insurances will not cover damage or death of your horse. For that you must have horse mortality and loss of use insurance and those insurances do not usually cover international travel, for that you need a specific rider.
What Is The Equipment’s Condition?
Make sure that the equipment is inspected and registered. With today’s computer access folks that don't inspect but just register their trailers are quickly identified in the Department of Motor Vehicles system, but it is still up to you to check the equipment inspections and documentation is in date.
Commercial rigs offer many advantages. Air ride axles to smooth the ride, cameras to watch the horses during transport, air conditioning, thick rubber mats to reduce leg stress and many more.
Direction Of Travel Within Vehicle
Is the trailer a slant load or front/rear placement? The slant load trailers sometimes put additional stress on the stifles and one front foot of the horse more than another. Front/rear travel is generally preferred. Everyone has their own preference, but in recent years slant load has become less popular.
For mares with foals at side or young horses in particular, it is best to book a box stall for transport with no tieup so the animal can find its own preferred spot to balance without the neck being constrained by being tied down.
What Other Horses Are On Board?
Many trailers have raised shoulder dividers to prevent one horse from intimidating another but it is not always enough. Even if the horses are tied (and they should not be tightly tied to ensure freedom of head movement), they can still pin ears and even kick at each other.
Obviously stallions and mares transported together can be a disaster. In airline travel stallions are often 'vicked up.'
This is the application of Vicks Vapor Rub on their noses to prevent them being able to smell a mare in heat.
Medical Paperwork
Remember there are both State and Federal requirements and the State requirements vary considerably from State to State so check what you need. Health certificates dated within thirty days, proof of rabies vaccine and a current Coggins are usual minimal requirements.
Be very wary of any horse that has come from an auction. Those horses need to be quarantined for 30 days and you do not want your horse sharing a trailer with a recent rescue horse that has come directly from an auction.
While it may seem a hassle to get the medical paperwork it is not as hard as it was years back as most vets provide a method for you to download/view the documentation online as soon as it is available. This saves a lot of time. Also make sure to include emergency contact information on documents that travel with your horse.
What About Shipping Fever?
Causes of shipping fever are generally due to the horse not being able to lower his head during a long road trip resulting in guttural pouch infection or in-
flammation. It is important for horses to have a box stall for long journeys wherever possible so they can ride facing whichever direction they prefer. In this case you can have them ride without being tied up which facilitates drainage of their sinuses as they can lower their head.
Additionally dehydration is an obvious issue as it is also sometimes hard to get an anxious horse on a trailer to take a drink even if he is thirsty and it is offered en route. If your horse is a fussy drinker it may be worth introducing him to water at home that contains a thirst quencher and/or flavor his water so that you can duplicate the product en route mixed with local water to hopefully encourage him to drink and not be put off by the different smell of water from elsewhere. Always be careful if adding electrolytes or flavorings to give your horse two water choices; a bucket of plain water in addition to the bucket with the flavoring.
What Is The Temperature Of Vehicle During Travel?
Many trailers give the option to remove the back doors during travel and for summer driving this is a great idea unless you have an air-conditioned rig. The down side on this is the glare of headlights from vehicles travelling behind the trailer at night. Roof vents are a great feature and help to cool a trailer, as are light colored exteriors. For security reasons commercial haulers obviously do not feature a removable back door option but make up for it by having air-conditioning and/or heating. Even in cold weather a fully loaded horse trailer will quickly become overheated and make the horses sweat if all the doors are closed, so be careful.
Ensure that any open windows are grilled to prevent a horse from sticking its head out of the trailer or even worse trying to jump out the rig during travel and louvred if possible to prevent damage to the horses’ eyes from drying out from the wind or being injured by blowing debris in the air stress.
Should The Horse Be “Tubed” Or “Oiled” Before Long Trips?
A popular notion and a question best directed to your vet. This may be very helpful for the older horse, a tense traveler, a very young horse or a horse with a history of colic. s
Plans For Access To Water, Hay and Grain
It is imperative that the diet not be changed to different grains or hay wherever you can avoid it. Always ask the party shipping your horse how they handle the hay/grain and water needs of your horse en route. It is often prudent to eliminate any grain ration from the diet 24 hours before, during and after horse transport although the U.S.D.A. facilities do not offer a non-grain option for import or export centers.
Does The Trailer Have Cameras On Board?
Today many carriers allow owners to monitor the video footage via apps and also offer a GPS option, so the owner knows exactly where their horse is at all times and how fast it is being conveyed.
How Long Will Your Horse Be On The Trailer?
While the journey door to door may be six hours, you may not see your horse for twelve if the trailer is picking up and dropping off en route. This results on a lot of extra miles for your horse so try to avoid trips ‘around the houses’.
How Many Breaks?
Both horses and driver(s) need breaks and driving straight through while possible for cross country runs is not the best for your horse. Having said that find out where any stopovers are planned and make sure the location offers a safe and secure environment for your horse.
To Leg Wrap or Not?
There are many fabulous products out there and this author's preferred method is to apply standing wraps on all four legs and then shipping boots with hoof protection on top. This provides support, protection from impact as well as hock and knee protection. Hoof protection with bell boots additionally is another pet favorite of mine especially for shod horses. However, many folks feel happy with no leg protection at all, especially with barefoot horses.
Naturally it is imperative that the wraps be properly placed/wrapped, do not pinch or buckle and are not too tight. While I can understand that going with no wraps at all is easy, my opinion is that in the event of a hard stop or worse, an accident, my horses deserve all the protection that is possible. Having said that if the trip will take several days requiring re-wrapping by an unknown person en route, it could be a disaster to wrap your horse. You should also be sure any wraps are professionally placed so they do not become unraveled in transport.
Are Tranquilizers a Good Idea?
This is a question best directed to your vet. Hopefully, your horse has been trained to the trailer on short journeys and will not be so stressed by transport as to require this. Tranquilizers do slow the gut and this is not ideal for a horse in transport.
What Halter Works Best?
This is a very important safety aspect. A breakaway halter can be very useful as can velcro breakaway trailer ties. The use of a leather halter versus nylon is safer, as it should break under extreme duress.
Another protection for a horse is the head protector. This leather bonnet attaches through the halter crownpiece and protects the vulnerable horse's poll from hitting the ceiling of the trailer especially loading and unloading.
Blanket or Sheets?
It is far better not to blanket at all than to blanket and have your horse hot. Additionally blankets can become caught on doorways.
Checks On Arrival
Hydration? Injuries? Neck? Stifle? It is very important to thoroughly check your horse out on arrival. The pinch of skin on the neck (‘tenting’), watching how long it takes to go back down gives an idea of hydration. Keep a watchful eye on water intake and manure production on arrival home. If there is evidence your horse sweated during transit, then it is a fair assumption he'll be dehydrated. Check his pulse, temperature and hydration level. I always try to hand graze my horses on arrival to clean out their lungs and sinuses by encouraging them to keep their head down and to add water to the gut. It relaxes them too. This is not always possible due to time of day or location, but if you can safely graze your horse it is a boon.
Always Check Refrences
Always ask for and ALWAYS check references. Be sure the references are not 'planted' and that they are references that represent the type of journey/length etc. that you are anticipating for your specific situation. There are a lot of people who will advertise to trailer/transport but really have no business offering this service and technically State and Federal licensing is required for all folks charging for horse transport.
Never part with money before you have an executed contract that clearly defines the arrangement for transport. Avoid using cash and use some form of trackable payment option and ensure the receiving entity and account has been validated.
So be sure to do your due diligence on behalf of your four legged partner. You won't regret making a wise choice.
Competitors attend for big payouts and to support a great cause
Text Corine S. Borton Photos Jeff Kirkbride & Courtney Ament
Georgia trainer Jamie English knew as soon as March To The Arch organizers announced that this year the Cancer Benefit American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) show circuit would add a 3-Year-Old & Over Hunter Under Saddle slot class with $50,000 in guaranteed prize money, just what horse she’d be entering.
“I thought we’d be great for that class because he was a true green horse,” English said. “He shows like he has done it for a long time now and he has a lot of special qualities.”
Jamie’s husband, Jason, spotted the colt in a pasture at Mark and Judy Zeitler’s place in Florida while on a road trip in December of 2021. As his training progressed, Jamie determined that it would be in the best interest of her horse, to delay Roger’s show career until he was a 3-year-old and save
Rusty Green is pictured on the opposite page taking a victory lap after winning the 3-Year-Old & Over Open Western Pleasure Slot Class at the 2023 March To The Arch aboard Top Gunn and Jamie English (top) collected $12,500 for winning the 3-Year-Old & Over Hunter Under Saddle Slot class. On this page (top) Terry Cross guides Nothing Myst to a win in the Senior Trail Challenge and below that riders in the Hunter Under Saddle slot class compete in a Balloon Contest; and contestants change gears in the Versatility Challenge.
tries of the initial $1,000 fee plus $1,000 late fee were accepted up to March 1.
The class was one of three contests with guaranteed payouts at this year’s March To The Arch Circuit, held March 14-19, at Will Rogers Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.
Doug Landon founded the March To The Arch in 2005 after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. The show debuted in St. Louis, Missouri and has since raised over $1 million for cancer research and $80,000 for Cook Childrens Hospital. In 2021 the event was moved to Fort Worth, Texas and the organization teamed with Cook Children’s Hospital. Last year the March To The Arch presented the hospital with a check for $40,000 and has also donated funds to the AQHA and the NSBA Crisis Fund.
“I absolutely love this show,” English said. “We have a great time every time we attend. The crew is great to work with and very understanding. We plan to keep returning.”
English was not the only one taking home big checks from the March To The Arch. Florida trainer Rusty Green collected $23,000 for his win in the 3-Year-Old & Over Open Western Pleasure Slot class aboard Top Gunn, sired by Machine Made and out of Ima Potential, owned by Neiberger & Green. Reserve Champion in the class was After A Few, sired by Extremely Hot Chips and out of Only Ever After, bred by Capital Quarter Horses and owned by Elisabet Teagan, Highland, Michigan, and shown by Brian Baker.
Mallory Vroegh teamed with Cool Made Machine, a 2017 bay gelding by Machine Made out of Cool Krymsun Lady, to win the All-Age Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle class with five competing. Owned by Mallory’s mother, Shannon Walker, Cool Made Machine earned $589.59 for the win. EPR Face It Im Fancy, owned by HJD Equestrian LLC, Colleyville, Texas, was Reserve Champion in the class, with Hannah Joy Dukes in the irons.
Vroegh and Cool Made Machine also won the fourentry Open/Non-Pro Versatility Challenge, taking a home a check $1,624.08.
The Senior Trail Challenge drew a total of 14 entries
and when scoring was complete Nothing Myst, was declared the winner. The 2017 chestnut gelding by RL Best Of Sudden and out of Mystical Machine, is owned by Alyssa Turner, of Cypress, Texas, and was shown by Terry Cross. The win in the class was worth $1,500. Reserve Champion was Suddenly Im Cool, owned by Barbara Crawford, Folsom, California, and shown by Shannon Curl-Holbin.
Ali Edison, of Tuscola, Texas, rode DW Sudden Invitation to a win in the NonPro Green Horsemanship and collected $293.06 for her efforts. Reserve Champion in the class of seven was Jamie Radebaugh, of Flower Mound, Texas.
In addition to the slot classes, the 2022 March To The Arch offered a full slate of AQHA, National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) and Texas Quarter Horse Association approved contests, from Halter to Jumping and from Reining to Trail.
Exhibitors were treated to dinners, activities and a benefit silent auction.
Complete results from the 2023 show, including circuit champions and scribe sheets, are available on the Horse Show Tracker app or on the March To The Arch Facebook page. For more information on next year’s show visit the show’s website at www.marchtothearchhorseshow.com
is also sired by Machine Made and is out of Diamonds R Best. She was bred by Bret & Candy Parrish, Pavo, Georgia, and is owned by John Pauluzzi, Wallace, North Carolina.
Other placings include:
• Third: Caution Hot Chips (Extremely Hot Chips x Oh So Pine), bred by Eric Turner, Tylersport, Pennsylvania; owned by Cindy Rubble Brown, Huningdon, Pennsylvania; shown by Taft Dickerson; $7,125
• Fourth: Ladee Luck (Gone Viral x VS Code Me Lucky), bred and owned by Mr. & Mrs. William Wilkes, East Dublin, Ohio; shown by Ashley Lakins; $5,050
• Fifth: Sundi Comin Down (Lazy Loper x Hotroddin On Sundi), bred by John Zuidema, Alachua, Florida; owned by Courtney Suthoff, Collinsville, Illinois; shown by Katy Jo Zuidema; $3,800
• Sixth: Cool Like This (Machine Made x In My Sunday Best), bred by Bret & Candy Parrish, Pavo, Georgia;
owned by Robert & Lisa Thomaier, Greensboro, Georgia; shown by Bret Parrish; $2,400
“I am thrilled with the participation of this horse show,” Tierney said. “We are so happy with how the show has grown over the last few years. Prior to this we had anywhere between 15 and 22 entries and now it has swelled to being consistently over 25. No other maiden class has those kind of entries to my knowledge.”
Just For Fun
Thanks to a $10,000 donation from John Harms and Tali Terlizzi, of Tali Terlizzi Quarter Horses, sponsor of the Virginia Maiden 3-Year-Old & Over Western Pleasure slot class, at the conclusion of the class the Inaugural $10,000 Mystery Maiden Match Class was featured. All horses entered in the class were eligible to compete with no additional entry fee. The name of each eligible horse entered was entered into a random drawing and each participating rider drew the name of a horse that they would ride in a mock Western Pleasure class. Celebrity judges evaluated contestants and after performing all three gaits in both directions, some additional maneuvers, such as riding down the center of the arena, taking a “selfie” with a ring steward, Florida trainer Katy Jo Zuidema was declared the winner riding SST Heart Breakin. She collected a check in the amount of $3,500.
3-Year-Old & Over Hunter Under Saddle
In the very first 3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle slot class ever held at the Virginia Spring Breakout, a total of 9 horses competed for a total purse of $38,687 including $2,500 in Limited Rider bonuses.
“This class has been a goal of mine since we became involved in the Virginia Maiden,” Tierney said. “It’s no secret I have a passion for the Hunter Under Saddle and I wanted to stress that the hunt seaters not only get equal opportunities for classes in which to show, but also get equal purses to what our showcase Western Pleasure classes get. Often times we see purses for Hunter Under Saddle classes receive only a fraction of what the Western Pleasure offers at the same show. They pay just as much to attend. They are just as important and deserve to be treated as such.”
Keith Miller piloted Boy Oh Boy, sired by Iron Enterprise and out of Blue Skys Movin In, to a win in the class collecting a check for $10,000 for owner Joy Geallis, of Frankfort, Illinois. Boy Oh Boy was bred by Jeff & Melissa Clark, Cumberland, Wisconsin.
Aaron Moses is pictured on the opposite page taking a victory lap after winning the Virginia Maiden 3-Year-Old & Over Western Pleasure slot class riding Saay My Name. At top Keith Miller is named winner of the 3-Year-Old & Over Hunter Under Saddle slot class and his daughter, Charlie (inset) accepts his trophy. On This page, Brian Baker, a celebrity judge in the Mystery Maiden Match Class, gets some assistance from Trisha Yamber and the trophy saddle presented in the Western Pleasure slot class. s
Reserve was Dawn Baker and Best Hidden Agenda, by Good Better Best and out of Hidden Agenda. Best Hidden Agenda was bred and is owned by Jerry and/or Vickie Strickland, Jonesboro, Arkansas and earned $7667.95
Other placings include:
Third: Straight Up Southern (It’s a Southern Thing x Sure Ama Hottie), bred by Alexis Loyd, Greencastle, Indiana, owned by Beau Baird, Greencastle, Indiana, shown by Jamie English, $5,167.95.
Fourth: So Youre The One (Allocate Your Assets x Sienna Sky), bred by Wendee Cote, Ramona, California, owned by Tali Terlizzi, Ocala, Florida, shown by Kaitlin Hutchinson, $3,167.95 plus $1,500 Limited bonus.
Fifth: Party Gurl (The Born Legacy x The Party Starts Now), bred by Keith Labrie, Worthington, Massachusetts, owned by Capall Creek Farm LLC, Hampstead, North Carolina, shown by Maryah Cugno, $2,667.95, plus $1,000 Limited bonus.
Sixth: Itsa AfterHoursThing (It's a Southern Thing x Good After Hours), bred by Heather Semler, Xenia, Ohio, owned by Erin Duquette, Glencoe, Ontario, Canada, shown by Amber Hanson Pickard, $2,167.95.
A total of $109,731 was paid out at this year’s show. Maiden competitors earned $51,900 Open and Non-Pro Western Pleasure contenders were awarded $28,742 while $26,589 went to Open and Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle entries.
The Spring Breakout is sponsored by the Virginia Quarter Horse Association. Show management reported a total of over 6,900 entries including AQHA, APHA and All-Breed.
Other money classes included:
3-Year-Old & Over Limited Horse Western Pleasure (sponsored by VS Goodride/VS Code Blue)
Champion: VS Bettin On Jacks (VS Code Red x Bettin With My Heart), owned by Mr. and Mrs. William Wilkes, shown by Kenny Lakins, $3,500; Reserve: After A Few (Extremely Hot Chips x Only
Ever After), owned by Elisabet Teagan, shown by Brian Baker, $2,500;
Third: Top Gunn (Machine Made x Ima Potential), owned by Neiberger & Green, shown by Rusty Green, $1,625;
Fourth: The Way I Talk (VS Goodride x Rosies Hot Ticket), owned by Alicia Ritsema, shown by Aaron Moses, $1,500;
Fifth: Dun Made For Mousing (Machine Made x Nuthermoysenthehouse), owned by Debby Brehm, shown by Casey Willis, $1,487.50;
Sixth: A Glamorous Ride (No Doubt Im Lazy x Life Is A Breeze), owned by Susan Simms, shown by Steve Reams, $1,100;
3-Year-Old & Over Limited Horse Hunter Under Saddle (sponsored by Allocate Your Assets)
Champion: Boys Are Better, owned by Carrie Ann Warren, shown by Keith Miller, $4,028.75;
Reserve: Hot Dig It, owned by Rebecca Edward, shown by Farley McLendon, $3,037.50;
Third: Smoke N The Best, owned by The Deeds Family Farm, shown by Amber Hanson Pickard, $2,010;
Fourth: Super Freek, owned by Kelly Smith, shown by Jamie English, $1482.50;
Fifth: Playin With The Best, owned by Ron Chuapusio, shown by Trisha Yamber; $1,218.75;
Sixth: Under Warranty, owned by Karin Holt, shown by Joy Wheeler, $619;
Maturity Non-Pro Western Pleasure
Champion: Battarang (Batt Man x Lopen My Blues Away), bred by Peter Ciaccio, owned and shown by Lane Kail, $1,437.50;
Reserve: Start Ur Engines (Machine Made x Momma Knows Best), bred by Rusty & Katie Green, owned and shown by Kylee Faith Wiseman, $1,000;
Third: Batterfly Kisses (Batt Man x She Kisses The Best), bred by Lorri Hughes Pritchard, owned and shown by Lola Knight, $900;
Fourth: Happy Ever After (No Doubt Im Lazy x Only Ever After), bred by Capital Quarter Horses LLC, owned and shown by Whitney Small, $675;
Fifth: Gone Commando (Gone Viral x A Sterling Moon), bred by Cecilia Hylton, owned and shown by Karen Carter, $500.
3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure (sponsored by Made Four It)
Champion: Made For Naturdays (Machine Made x KM Little Bit Of Me), bred by Masterson Farms LLC, owned and shown by by Alexa Frencl; $1,000;
Reserve: Top Gunn (Machine Made x Ima Potential), bred by Melinda DeFreece, owned by Neiberger & Green and shown by Deanna Willis; $812.50;
Third: RV Is Always Lazy (Lazy Loper x Invited Al-
ways), bred by Ronnie Kent, owned and shown by Tammy Conroy; $650;
Fourth: Southern Shock (Its A Southern Thing x Suddenly Gone Good), bred by John Narmont, owned and shown by Taylor Gumz; $500;
Fifth: I Woke Up Like This (Heart Stoppin x With No Regrets), bred by Cody & Chase Parrish, owned and shown by Ashlee Facteau; $250.
Maturity Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle
Champion: Al Be Bleu, owned and shown by Tali Terlizzi, $1,550;
Reserve: Ridin On Chrome, owned and shown by Kelsey McArthur, $1,250;
Third: Al Southern Couture, owned and shown by Amanda Smith, 800;
Fourth: Talk Southern To Me, owned and shown by Allison Rassinoux, $600;
Fifth: Made To Sleep, owned and shown by Natalie Anderson, $412;
Sixth: Born Southern, owned and shown by Gerald Thomas, $350.
3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle
Champion: Al Be Best, owned and shown by Kelsey Bell, $1,000;
Reserve: Makin It Platinum, owned and shown by Christina Shanahan, $731.25;
Third: Party Gurl, owned by Capall Creek Farms, shown by Amy Smith, $481.25;
Fourth: Boys Are Better, owned and shown by Carrie Ann Warren, 381.25.
3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Working Rail
(sponsored by the Troutman Family)
Champion: Seven S Crossfire, owned by Kara Bennett, shown by Steve Meadows; $4,000;
Reserve : EverybodyStalkinATime, owned by Debbie Kuffer, shown by Shannon Hill, $2,598;
Third: Guns Out owned by Juli Ringer, shown by Bradley Hill, $2,448;
Fourth: Bad Habits, owned and shown by Cole Gouthro; $2,198 plus Non-Pro Bonus;
Fifth: Spooks A Shiner Too, owned by Amy Moon, shown by Beth Gouthro; $1,633.20;
Sixth: Chic Freeze, owned by Amy Vanderwende, shown by Kristy Lee Smith, $1,448;
Non-Pro Working Western Rail
Champion: Gotta Hot Gun, owned and shown by Karen Johnson, $2,000;
Reserve: Bad Habits, owned and shown by Cole Gouthro, $1,500;
Third: A Bueno Chic, owned and shown by Adrianna Runzo, $1,300;
Fourth: Voodoo U Think U R, owned and shown by Rebecca Splan, $1,200;
Fifth: Dreamin About Sailin, owned and shown by Kim Vanderwende, $800.
For additional information on the Virginia Maiden/Spring Breakout Show, including complete results from the 2023 event, visit the Topline Event Management website at www.toplineeventmgt.com or the Virginia Quarter Horse Association website at www.myvqha.com.
