InStride Edition - September 2023

ADVERTISING SALES

Courtney B. Ament

Deanna Green Willis

WEBSITE ADVERTISING

Courtney B. Ament

TECHNICAL ANALYST

Brent Adam Borton

CIRCULATION

Lenora B. Sheppard

ADVERTISING DESIGNERS

Courtsey Designs

Denise Hawkins

Emajes

Hampel Designs

Jakovich Marketing

Melissa Baus Designs

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Courtney Borton Ament

Corrine S. Borton

Brianna Huggins

COLUMNISTS

Katherine Jarve

COPY & RESEARCH

Lenora B. Sheppard

PHOTOGRAPHER

Caroline Saylors

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Courtney B. Ament

Bar H Photography

Jeff Kirkbride

Cody Parmenter

Ruehle Photographix

Shane Rux

Larry Williams

Nestled in the heart of the Texas hill country, lies Corrival Ranch, a state-of-the-art facility with equipment for breeding, training, and rehabbing equine athletes.

As co-owner Susie Phillips tells the story, the idea for Corrival started like many do, on a back porch with a glass of wine.

At the time, Phillips was managing the Equestrian Club at Cordillera Ranch in Boerne, Texas. She had made fast friends of Ben and Julie Wolff when they took their daughter Quintessa (Tess) to the Cordilla Ranch for lessons shortly after moving to Texas from Washington.

“I had just found out one of my mares wasn’t in foal so I was sitting there complaining about it with Ben and Julie,” she recalled. “They looked at me and said ‘So let’s go buy some.’”

Before they knew it, a partnership was formed and 60 acres of land plus a 22-stall barn was purchased in Sisterdale, Texas, just 40 minutes from the San Antonio Airport.

But more importantly, a dream to build a world class horse facility was born.

Originally used to raise AQHA race horses dating back to the early 1970s the facility now known as Corrival Ranch (meaning friendly competitors) focuses on breeding and boarding performance horses, with a dedication to producing the ultimate allaround Quarter Horse in conformation, athletic ability and disposition. The ranch has a significant expansion under way and that is expected to be completed by mid-fall 2023. When done, the ranch will have three barn complexes incorporating a total of 82 stalls (60 14-by-14 ft. and 22 12-by-12 ft.) each with StableComfort stall mattresses; a 135-by-225-

ft. covered arena; a 200-by-225-ft. lighted outdoor arena; a covered 8-horse walker; an uncovered eighthorse walker, 60-by-50 ft. covered round pens; 36 pastures and loafing sheds, and 24 25-by-25 ft. turn outs. Additionally, a rehab and therapy barn is under construction, which includes a Hudson Aquapacer, a Nautil Equine Salt Water Spa, a surgical suite and a vet office. The rehab center will also offer cold laser therapy, pulse PMF and Bemer equipment and services.

Finally, the ranch offers lodging for up to 22 guests with the restored Ranch House, Paddock House and Cabin available for nightly rentals.

Soon after opening as Corrival Ranch, professional trainer Scott Jones decided to reopen his Showstring operation, after a break from the training business.

One of the first horses sent to him was Al Call You Later (Claude), a 2019 16-hand bay AQHA/APHA (regular registration) stallion by Allocate Your Assets out of Jazz In The Park.

“From the second he got off the trailer I knew

Text Courtney Borton Ament Photos Ruehle Photographix and Cody Parmenter

he was going to be nice,” Jones said. “I knew the Wolffs were looking to have a world-class breeding operation. I knew he would cross well with some of the most important mares they own. Adding a stallion like Claude made sense.

So just a few weeks into his training, the Wolffs, Tess and Susie came to watch Jones work him and by January of 2022 they decided to purchase him.

“The first time we saw Claude we just thought he was exotic,” Ben Wolff said. “The way he floated and extended at the trot made it look like his feet never touched the ground. Scott had been working with him and loved his temperament and he just seemed to fit easily into our program. He’s fun to watchreally mellow and beautiful to look at.”

In 2022, Jones rode Al Call You Later to a Reserve American Paint Horse Association World Championship title in Green Hunter Under Saddle and they were declared Intermediate Champions as well.

This year, at the APHA World Show in June, Al Call You Later was named unanimous World Champion in All Age Driving with Marion Troyer in the cart and Reserve World Champion in Junior Hunter Hack with Jerry Erickson in the irons.

And at The Premier, in Lexington, Kentucky, Al Call You Later won the Junior Driving.

Jones says Claude’s movement really sets him apart from other horses in the show pen.

“That trot is really memorable,” he said. “”But in a stallion,

you always want to see a horse that is trainable and Claude really is.”

He is continuing his show career in Driving, Working Hunter events, and the Working Hunter Under Saddle.

“He’ll have a great stud career later,” Jones said.

But Al Call You Later is not the only show horse to join the Corrival Ranch since its establishment a few years back.

In June of 2022 the partnership purchased what was essentially AQHA Professional Horseman Dale Livingston’s entire breeding operation, consisting of 25 horses, including weanlings, yearlings, broodmares and two stallions, Ima Platinum Dream and Unbridle Your Dreams.

“We are and always will be very grateful to Dale for allowing us the opportunity to own such a great legacy within our industry,” Ben Wolff said. “We are centered around trying to build something for Tess for years to come between the farm, breeding business and equine rehab center.”

Ima Platinum Dream, a 2010 gray stallion by Huntin For Chocolate and out of Ima Bodacious Dream, had already been established as both a show horse and a sire. He is the earner of 65 AQHA points and $1,272. With only 115 foals, Ima Platinum Dream’s offspring have earned 2,040 AQHA points and $83,492.

Unbridle Your Dreams (Special) is the only standing son of Ima Platinum Dream. The 2018 gray stallion out of Wild Gypsy Soule, is 16-hands tall and just getting started in both the show pen and in the breeding shed.

He stood the 2023 breeding season at Mike Hay’s Pilot Knob Quarter Horses in Reddick, Florida. But before that even got started Hay dropped the youngster off with Florida professional trainer Stephanie Armellini in Anthony (near Ocala), to advance his under saddle training.

“I started riding him the day after he arrived on Dec. 1, 2022,” she explained. “I was in love from the very first ride. I knew he was my kind of horse.”

Armellini describes Special as a big, beautiful dapple gray horse with a big, soft

step.

Scott Jones is pictured on this page with Al Call You Later. Below that (left) Jones with Claude at the 2022 APHA World Show and with Marion Troyner who showed Claude to a World Championship title this year in All Age Driving. On the opposite page (top) Stephanie Armellini riding Unbridle Your Dreams in Trail at The Premier and below that (left) Armellini and Special at the NSBA World Show and Susie Phillips showing Special in Hunter Under saddle at The Premier. Philips is also pictured at Corival Ranch in the photo bottom right.

“I feel like he just draws your attention to him whether you like him as an individual or not, you have to look at him,” she said.

Armellini started working on the youngster’s basics but in just a couple months later he had to return to Pilot Knob to fulfill his breeding contracts.

Then in April, just two weeks after returning from the breeding shed, Armellini showed Special to circuit championships in both Green and Junior Hunter Under Saddle and had some placings in Trail at a show in Tampa.

“That was his first time in the Trail pen so we were in a snaffle for that show,” Armellini said.

From there Special went to The Premier where he and Phillips were Reserve Champions in the $2,500 Limited Rider/Limited Horse Hunter Under Saddle and Armellini showed him to a top five placing in Green Junior Trail.

Next up was the Big A Circuit where Special had wins and a Reserve Circuit Championship in Hunter Under Saddle and top five placings in Trail.

At the 2023 NSBA World Show, Armelini and Special placed fifth in Green Junior Trail Limited Rider; seventh in 4&5- Year-Old Limited Open Trail; sixth in the 4-6-Year-Old Limited Open Hunter Under Saddle; and 10th in the Green Hunter Under Saddle.

Armellini will show Special in the Green and Junior Trail and Green Hunter Under Saddle at the Quarter Horse Congress and Phillips will show him in Select Hunter Under Saddle.

“After that will be the AQHA World Show and then the Florida circuits,” Armellini explained.

“My hope is to put a solid show record on him and hopefully a big title,” she said. “He goes back to the breeding shed the beginning of next year so it would be great to get him some recognition before then.”

But in addition to successful stallions it also takes some outstanding mares to build a successful breeding operation and the Corrival Ranch team thinks they found just that in Ma Donna, a 2021 gray mare by Allocate Your Assets out of Truly Graceful.

“This is a funny story,” Jones recalled. “I was in Boerne (Texas) for Susie Phillips’s birthday party last December. I was about to leave to head to the event when I saw a canter video uploaded to Facebook. I got in my car and flew out to Corrival Ranch, ran in, and told Susie that she needed to see this horse.”

Jones had his former training partner, David Miller go out to see her the next day.

“Everybody knows a horse like this would be an incredible addition to a program, both as a show horse and as an eventual broodmare,” Jones said. “We flew out within days and did the prepurchase and the rest is history.”

Jones said Ma Donna (Hannah Grace) has been easy since the first day he started riding her.

“She’s the total package,” he explained. “She’s easy to be around, sweet and smart. But most importantly, she can trot and canter both directions.”

Both Phillips and the Wolffs are determined to keep the focus on the Corrival mission – which is to breed the ultimate all-around Quarter Horse and provide equine athletes with a world class s

equestrian facilities and rehabilitation services. A lot of thought and work go into selecting the perfect stallions to achieve their goals.

“What’s unique about these guys is that Al Call You Later is double registered, and we are working on getting APHA papers for Unbridle My Dreams,” Ben Wolff said. “And, we think having the opportunity to essentially double the classes you’re able to show their offspring in is invaluable to those who choose to breed to these two amazing stallions.”

Julie Wolff said she and her husband spent a ton of time with Phillips trying to figure out what stallions would fit their program and where they wanted to take it.

“Both are incredibly good minded and both have excellent conformation,” she said. “To our knowledge there are only four producing stallions by Allocate Your Assets and Al Call You Later is one of them and there is only one producing stallion by Ima Platinum Dream and that’s Unbridle Your Dreams. We are very excited about the outcross potential.”

The Wolffs still remember the first time they saw Unbridle Your Dreams.

“We just fell in love,” Ben Wolff said. “He was beautiful and so easy going. I even rode him on that first visit and was just so struck by how effortless he made it all seem. When we talked to Dale (Livingston) he admitted the same, that he was very easy to break and be around. He’s had two years of breeding now and he’s still that way. Just easy going and mellow. He has two foal crops on the grown and they are absolutely gorgeous. One cross we have really liked on him is a foal out of Fashioned By Impulse. We are really excited about this one.”

The Wolffs had a similar experience the first time they got to see Al Call You Later.

The same attention to detail is paid to the babies when determining their future.

“We have yearlings and 2-year-olds at six different trainers around the country and we really take our time to try to figure out where we think the horse’s potential is and what trainers have had at least some experience with Ima Platinum Dream offspring,” Ben Wolff explained.

The Wolff’s said they could not be happier about working with Jones.

“He is open, communicative and collaborative,” Julie Wolff said. “He’s everything we could ask for in a horse trainer. Now he’s training Tess too and it’s interesting to watch him communicate with her in a different way than he does with us but in a way that works for her. It’s fun to watch that magic happen. We just think the world of Scott.”

And they have had just as great experience with Armellini.

“Stephanie is killer,” Ben Wolff said. “She has so much fire and enthusiasm and smarts, she really is the whole package. It’s really all about finding who you click with and we really

have been so lucky to have met some incredible trainers to help us on our journey.”

But luck can only play so large a part. Business experience also plays a huge role and the Corrival partners bring to the table plenty of that.

Ben and Julie are serial entrepreneurs. Prior to founding Corrival Ranch, the couple co-founded and took public multiple technology and telecommunications companies. Julie served as each company’s primary legal counsel and Ben served as its chief executive officer. As active investors in private companies and mentors to their founders, Ben and Julie have been involved

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On this page (upper right), Al Call You Later is pictured outside one of Corrival’s many first rate barns. Below left, Ima Platinum Dream, one of the stallions at the center of the Corrival Ranch breeding program. On the opposite page (top) an overview of the structures at Corrival Ranch and below that, some views of the Ranch House, available to human visitors wishing to spend time at Corrival Ranch.

with a wide range of companies in the food and agriculture sector, including a winery, a commercial bakery and a shellfish farm. Ben graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Ag Business and Julie graduated from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon with a degree in Business Administration. Ben went on to earn his law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon and Julie earned her master’s degree in Business Administration and a law degree from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. In addition to 14-yearold Tess, the couple have two other daughters, Courtney, 30 and Stephanie, 25.

Susie Phillips’ interaction and involvement with the horse industry runs deep, from running and operating her family breeding program to managing a successful equine apparel business providing show clothing to top riders. Susie has certificates from Colorado State University in Breeding Management and artificial insemination.

While breeding and raising World and Reserve World Champions, Phillips currently shows two of her AQHA mares in Hunter Under Saddle classes but stays involved in all major as-

sociations including AQHA, NRHA, APHA, PtHA and NSBA.

A graduate of Campbell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Sociology, Susie lives in Boerne with her husband, Jason Phillips, and their two children, Ellie and Cody.

THE RANCH HOUSE

In addition to the most modern boarding amenities, Corrival Ranch also offers lodging with total accommodations for up to 22 human guests.

The Ranch House is fully equipped to be your ranch-awayfrom-home with a fully stocked kitchen furnished with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and everything you need for a good cup of coffee with a golden Texas sunrise. Visitors can enjoy family meals at the dining table or barbeque outside on the large stone patio overlooking one of Corrival’s lush pasture landscapes. You can spend your days strolling this working Quarter Horse ranch or visiting nearby attractions in San Antonio. If it’s quiet you crave, the ranch house is streaming ready with WiFi and movie streaming services.

REHAB FACILITIES

Corrival Ranch’s world class rehabilitation center is at the national forefront of equine care for post-surgical, post-injury, layups and conditioning of the high-performance athlete. No matter the breed or discipline, Corrival Ranch offers a comprehensive and all-inclusive program using a full suite of proven equipment for all rehabilitative concerns including whole body treatments using a Theraplate, targeted therapy with a cold laser, healthy strengthening with an Aquapacer, or non-medicinal and effective treatments with a Pulse Equine PEMF session. Every horse’s treatment plan is custom created in tandem with you, your trainer and your veterinarian to achieve sound improvement.

Phillips and the Wolffs are looking forward to watching the future unfold for Corrival Ranch and it’s show and breeding horses. They invite everyone to come visit the Ranch and see for themselves or catch up with them at the Congress or World Show where many of their horses will compete this year.

To make an appointment to visit Corrival Ranch or for additional information on breeding to the stallions, visit them on the web at www.corrivalranch.com or call (210) 338-0830. You can also connect with them on the Corival Ranch Facebook page.

HORSE

AUCTIONS

by Katherine Jarve

It pays to do your homework before buying a horse at public auction

Horse auctions can be a good source of quality horses. For example, the VS Dispersal Sale held in August 2023 auctioned off some of the most legendary horses and bloodlines in the industry. Then, of course, the famous Congress Super Sale comes along every October. While these are just two examples of high-profile auctions, they are not the only horse auctions to take place. For anyone considering purchasing horse at auction, there are factors that should be taken into account in order to avoid legal troubles and disappointment.

Read the sale terms and conditions. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you should familiarize yourself with the auction’s terms and conditions. Sale terms and conditions vary from auction to auction. Some auctions sell horses on an “asis” basis and disclaim all warranties while others require the sellers to sign a consignment agreement, which often requires the seller to make certain representations about the horse. For example, the Congress Super Sale requires sellers to complete a disclosure form for each horse entered in the sale. The disclosure form asks questions about a horse’s known vices, medical history, and lameness issues. The sellers are also required to make truthful representations about the horse’s training and disposition. In the event that the seller is dishonest or conceals information about the horse, the sale could be jeopardized. For example, if the auction and the seller warrant that the horse has not had its tail altered and you later find out that was incorrect, then the buyer may seek legal action against the seller and/or the auction.

Avoid buying sight unseen. Online auctions have been rapidly gaining in popularity. While it may be tempting to jump on a sale for fear of losing out on “the one,” you should avoid purchasing any horse without you or your trainer seeing the horse in person. An in-person inspection of the horse could reveal scarring, blemishes or irregularities that don’t show up in photos or on a computer screen. You should ride the horse, if possible, before the auction. You’ll want to get a feel for the true temperament of the horse. That friendly gelding in the photos and videos may actually be sour in the pen or pin its ears and nip at the stall door.

Review vet checks before you buy. If vet check results and X-rays are available, then take the time to look through them. You should also call your own vet and ask him or her to look at the X-rays. Your vet may alert you to issues that may arise in the future. This is important because sellers are generally only obligated to disclose known issues or past health problems. For example, the horse is technically sound, but the

X-rays show evidence of large bone spurs in the hocks and will likely require maintenance to keep him sound. In the rare case where the auction will permit you to have your own vet examine the horse prior to the sale, then take advantage of the opportunity. Generally, the buyer only has the right to a veterinary examination after the sale and the money is exchanged. Even then the scope of the exam may be limited. Therefore, you should take advantage of reviewing everything provided by the seller up front.

Read the auction’s dispute procedure. In the event that a dispute arises, you want to be aware of the auction’s procedures. Often, auctions will specify the terms and conditions for how a buyer or seller can rescind the sale. Typically, unhappy buyers will be required to give notice to the auction and/or seller within a specific time period. In some circumstances, the

auction may hold the sale proceeds in trust until the dispute is resolved. This means that your money could be held up for weeks or months. There may also be limitations on where you can bring a lawsuit should you not be able to amicably resolve the issue. Before bidding, read through the dispute procedure and make sure that you think you would be able to comply with it if you were unhappy with your purchase. Be sure to save a copy of all advertising for the sale as well as the terms and conditions and make detailed notes of any conversations that you had with the seller about the horse. If you are dissatisfied with an auction purchase, consult your attorney immediately and ask for their assistance in following the auction dispute procedure.

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.

If vet check results and X-rays are available, then take the time to look through them. You should also call your own vet and ask him or her to look at the X-rays.

AQHA IMPLEMENTING

Animal Welfare

he American Quarter Horse Association by recommendation from the Animal Welfare Commission, is implementing new minimum penalty levels of offense, as well as adjusted fines and penalties regarding inhumane treatment violations, effective next month.

These violations are listed under AQHA Rule VIO204, in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations. Inhumane treatment can be considered any excessive and/or repetitive action to cause obvious distress or discomfort to a horse.

VIO204.1-VIO204.20 outline specific actions that are not acceptable.

View the updated chart of minimum penalty levels of offense.

In addition to the changes in levels, all suspensions as a result of inhumane treatment will trigger AQHA Rule VIO657.

No person shall treat any horse in an inhumane manner. This prohibition against inhumane treatment applies to AQHA members and nonmembers. Inhumane treatment shall include, but not be limited to, the prohibited conduct specified in the AQHA Rulebook. Inhumane treatment to horses other than American Quarter Horses is included in this prohibition.

About the Animal Welfare Commission: The AQHA Animal Welfare Commission, which was created by the AQHA Executive Committee in 2012, reports directly to the Executive Committee, which evaluates all proposals in relation to the current state of the industry. The Animal Welfare Commission serves as AQHA’s primary body for rules, policies and procedures related to all areas of animal welfare. In addition, the commission oversees the educational processes associated with AQHA officials responsible for animal welfare.

The Animal Welfare Commission’s mission is to provide a framework for its members to 1.) Identify issues negatively affecting the welfare of the American Quarter Horse, 2.) Stay current on all animal welfare issues and 3.) Recommend actions that will help protect the American Quarter Horse from inhumane practices and AQHA and its members from the negative impacts associated with those practices. The AQHA Animal Welfare Commission will share discussion, action items and recommendations with the Association’s alliance partners in an effort to ensure all horses are treated humanely, with dignity, respect and compassion at all time. AQHA's prohibition against inhumane treatment applies to AQHA members and nonmembers.

For additional information on the new penalty levels and fines visit www.aqha.com.

Entries top 5,000 at 2023 event in Oklahoma

American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA) exhibitors from the United States, Canada, Germany, Mexico and the United Kingdom competed for 44 World Championship, 39 Level 2 Championships and 13 Level 1 Champion of Champions titles at the 2023 AQHYA World Championship Show Juy 28 to Aug 6, at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City.

Organizers reported that there were nearly 5,000 entries and 204 first time exhibitors at the 51st anniversary of the show.

Lane Kail has been showing Battarang, a 2017 bay gelding by Batt Man out of Lopen My Blues Away, since early in 2022, after purchasing him from Houston Huff at the 2021 Quarter Horse Congress. He’s competed at the AQHA Youth World Show but this year was special. He and Battarang won the Level 3 Western Pleasure with 32 entries, taking home Kail’s first gold globe in Western Pleasure.

“I showed my horse off and wasn’t afraid to show off the rail and wasn’t panicked about going back to the rail,” Kail said.

The son of Ryan and Andrea Kail, of

Scottsdale, Arizona, Lane put in a lot of hours practicing at shows with his trainer, Casey Willis and by making many trips to Willis’ place in Ocala, Florida, for practice. He says Battarang is special.

“He is a very smooth loper and everything comes naturally to him,” Kail said.

Next up for Kail and Battarang is the All American Quarter Horse Congress.

RANCH RIDING

Kyrah Bowker, of Moriarty, New Mexico, said her show partner, Gunnin For The Gold, has a personality that is “larger than life.”

“He wants to be everyone’s friend,” she said. “Sometimes he is shy especially if he feels like someone is mad.”

But nobody was mad at him at the AQHA Youth World Show. The 2014 Palomino gelding by Pace Face Dunnit out of Gorgeous Like A Star, helped Bowker best 89 other competitors to win the Level 3 Youth Ranch Riding.”

With 90 entries, it took a lot to make a good impression on the judges. But there was an even bigger challenge for Gunnin For The Gold, as he is deaf.

“The extended lope to extended trot

Text Brianna Huggins Photos Shane Rux & Courtney B. Ament

transition is already the hardest transition in the Ranch events but because he is also deaf it makes it so much harder,” Bowker said. “We were going toward the gate, so I lost his attention a bit and without any voice cues it feels like a near impossible feat some days. I would also say the turn between the teepee and the wall was also tough to maneuver. He wasn’t very comfortable in that section in warm up, so I had prepared myself to help him out in that area a little extra, but it was definitely a challenging area for us.”

Bowker has competed at the AQHA Youth World Show each year since 2019 and in Ranch classes since 2020. She has been showing Gunnin For The Gold since October 2022.

Preparing for this year’s Ranch Riding class was tough because of the schedule. Bowker also competed in Reining on Sticktoyourgunz (placing eighth in Level 2 and 14th in Level 3).

“Finals day was a very busy day,” Bowker admitted. “There was Reining in the morning, right after that we had Working Western Rail. We made it into the finals meaning we had a Prelims and Semi Final that day. After the Rail we ran to the Ranch Riding finals, so he barely got 20 minutes in his stall. Because we knew there was so much that day, we very briefly warmed him up the night before. He is hon-

est in the pen, so we weren’t too worried about it, the main goal was to warm everything up while still conserving as much energy as possible!”

Bowker said she was especially proud of their walk poles and transitions in the Ranch Rail class.

“He has a great extended walk so I was excited to show that off,” Bowker said. “I had been struggling with putting him in the correct spot to the poles in warm up and it all fell into place when we showed, I was definitely the happiest with that part.”

In addition to their win in Ranch Riding, Bowker and Gunnin For The Gold captured Reserve Championships in both L3 Working Western Rail and L3 Ranch Trail.

Of course, Bowker is thrilled with their placing at the show but says most of all, she is a big fan of her horse.

“One of his favorite things is to get brushed,” she explained. “He aways smiles when you curry him, and it seems to cheer him up (both of us) no matter how exhausted we all are. He enjoys getting out on the longe line and letting loose – bucking, running and stretching almost every time. That fact that he is deaf, to me, is a big part of his personality. I have never had a horse want to be in your personal bubble all the time as much as him. He is touchy with his mouth but very rarely bites and his nose is ALWAYS dirty, we clean it all the time at the shows.”

HUNTER UNDER SADDLE

Camden Fussell says sometimes, with her show partner, Good At Da Bar, less is more. And that’s the approach she took to competing with 21 other competitors in the Level 3 Hunter Under Saddle.

“I literally rode him once at Youth World and then went and showed him,” Fussell said.

The Waxahachie, Texas competitor said Good At Da Bar, a 2014 bay gelding by Good I Will Be out of Zippos Enchantment, has one of the sweetest personalities.

“We try to keep him happy without over working him,” she explained. “He loves his treats, scratches and likes to make sure he’s not missing out on anything in the barn.”

Fussell said to set herself out from other competitors in the class she focused on having a good spot on the rail.

“I was seen by the judges, and I had the confidence to show my horse like I know how,” she explained.

In addition to their win in Hunter Under Saddle, Fussell and Good At Da Bar were Reserve in Level 3 Showmanship; 10th in Level 3 Horsemanship; eighth in Level 3 Equitation; and eighth in Level 3 Trail.

Pictured on the opposite page (top left) is Kyrah Bowker and Gunnin For The Gold, winners of the Level 3 Ranch Riding and right (top to bottom) Georgia Cook after winning the Level 3 Aged Mares with KR Xfinity; Chesney Watkins sharing the news that he and The Company You Keep just won globe in the Level 3 Showmanship 13 & Under; and Sydney Swallom and Almost Invited taking a victory lap after winning the Level 3 Horsemanship 14-18. At the botom of the page is Lane Kail and Battarang. On this page, Camden Fussell gets a congratularory hug after winning the Level 3 Hunter Under Saddle with Good At Da Bar. s

TRAIL

Eleanor Ott, of Sand Creek, Michigan, said it was good old fashioned hard work that helped her win the Level 3 Trail 13 & Under at this year’s AQHA Youth World Show with Hez Rainey Made.

“I worked really hard and was at the barn all day every day,” she explained.

Luckily for Ott, her show partner, a 2016 gelding sired by Machine Made out of Rhapsody In The Rain, loves to work.

“The diagonal poles were a challenge for us,” Ott admitted. “I just stayed calm. I felt that we were prepared.”

This year marks Ott’s fourth year of showing Hez Rainey Made and they have competed twice at the AQHA Youth World prior to this year’s appearance. In addition to their win in Level 3 Trail, Ott and Hez Rainey Made placed third in Western Pleasure 13 & Under; fourth in Level 3 Showmanship 13 & Under; fifth in Level 3 Horsemanship 13 & Under; eighth in Level 3 Hunter Under Saddle 13 & Under; and 10th in Level 3 Equitation 13 & Under.

WESTERN RIDING

Julia Christine Lee, of Grove City, Ohio, is another competitor who believes in the value of hard work.

Teamed with Body Like A Back Rd (Gatsby), a 2015 gelding by Too Sleepy To Zip out of So Good N Impulse, Lee set a goal for herself to make the finals of the Level 3 Western Riding and thought anything else would be icing on the cake. With a score of 232, the team outscored 39 other competitors to take home the gold globe.

“I really just worked hard and put in the hours prior to the show,” she said.

Lee said the most difficult part of the pattern was her approach to the line.

“I really put a lot of emphasis on getting up to pace and trusting my instinct in order to have a successful set of changes,” she explained.

Lee has been working hard on Western Riding and although she had high expectations, she also wanted to enjoy the ride.

“I threw him in a drape and just tried to trust the horse I had under me,” Lee said. “He’s so fun to show and my trainer and I have been working hard at this class, so I stayed confident in what I knew.”

Lee says Gatsby is the goofiest boy ever.

“He loves any kind of attention or treats and is just the happiest horse I’ve ever met,” she said. “He loves to talk to us by flapping his lips together.”

Next up for Lee and Gatsby is the Quarter Horse Congress.

“I’m really excited to show him again in Columbus

(which is home for me and Gatsby) and then after that I will move into my final youth year,” Lee explained. “He’s my best friend so I’m just super excited and thankful for every opportunity to show him especially going into my final Youth year and I hope to show occasionally as an Amateur too.”

EQUITATION

Isabella D’Onofrio, of Columbus, Ohio says preparation for this year’s AQHA Youth World Show involved many hours in the saddle under the direction of her trainers Wade and Carly Parks.

“We worked every day all summer at it and when patterns were released, we increased it even more,” D’Onofrio explained. “Parks boot camp is like no other, but it was some of my favorite memories all summer.”

All the hard work paid off when D’Onofrio and Whata Moonlite Ride (Bob), a 2015 gelding by Only In The Moonlite out of January Version, bested 56 other competitors to take home a gold globe in Level 3 Equitation 14-18.

D’Onofrio said the most difficult part of the finals pat-

tern was also her favorite part - the hand gallop at a two point without stirrups.

“Although it was difficult coming down to the collected canter afterwards was also a maneuver we worked hard at,” she said. “I wanted to maintain my connection with Bob, so we worked many hours on that.”

D’Onofrio said she has been working extremely hard on riding with no stirrups.

“I strive to maintain pace in my patterns,” she ex-

plained. “I think my pace in my trots and my legs in my hand gallop really helped me achieve my goal.”

D’Onofrio’s family purchased Bob in November of 2020 from Brooke Granzow and through Gilliam Show Horses. At that time, he excelled in Trail and had been started in the all-around events including Horsemanship and Showmanship by Jason Gilliam, but had only been shown lightly due to Covid-19.

“He is a true unicorn,” D’Onofrio said. “He is sweet and lovable; despite the large number of events, he competes in he always gives us his best and is happy to show. His biggest quirk is snorting at literally everything and sometimes for no reason at all. It doesn’t mean he’s fresh or scared he just snorts at everything! He has also become quite accustomed to treats and has learned from his barn mate, N A Heartbeat, to knicker for treats. He knows where I keep my large stash of treats and is always trying to help himself.”

In addition to their win in Level 3 Equitation 14-18, D’Onofrio and Bob earned a Reserve Championship in Level 3 Showmanship 14-18; sixth in Level 3 Trail 14-18, and finalists in Level 3 Horsemanship 14-18 and Aged Geldings, earning the team a Reserve All-Around 14-18 Championship title. D’Onofrio also showed If It Aint Southern to a win in Level 3 Performance Halter Geldings and place 10th in Level 3 Western Pleasure 14-18. Teamed with N A Hearbeat D’Onofrio also claimed a Reserve Championship award in Level 3 Hunter Under Saddle 14-18.

SHOWMANSHIP

Kayla Virga, of Rockwall, Texas, has been showing Exclusively Mocha (Molly), for four years now so she knows what makes the 2012 mare by Cheer For Mocha and out of Pretty Tuff To Miss, tick.

14-18. And, Kyla Virga, of Rockwall, Texas shows Exclusively Mocha, to a win in Level 3 Showmanship 14-18. s

“She is very calm and always tries to behave,” Virga explained. “She is lazy so she wants to do it right the first time so she can be done.”

Pictured on the opposite page (top) is Eleanor Ott and Hez Rainey Made performing their winning Level 3 Trail 13 & Under pattern at the AQHA World Show. Below that, Julia Christine Lee shows Body Like A Back Rd to a win in Level 3 Western Riding. On this page (upper left), Isabella D’Onofrio is all smiles after she and Whata Moonlite Ride win the Level 3 Equitation

HUNTER HACK

Mia Haskins, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and Al Be Joyful, successfully defended their 2022 AQHA World Championship title in Youth Hunter Hack by besting 13 other competitors in this year’s class.

Haskins and the 2013 mare by Allocate Your Assets and out of Too Joyful To Zip, have been showing together since the spring of 2022 and Haskins says she is the sweetest and most caring mare she has ever owned.

“She loves to meet me half way and she always puts forward her best effort.”

In defending their title, Haskins said she really knew what worked for them as a team.

We worked the diagonal jumps in the warmup ring and truly just came into the ring knowing our place and having confidence,” she explained. “I always trust her distance and she never lets me down.”

Haskins said the biggest challenge in the class was getting to a pace where she felt confident.

“With it being the second to last class of the show, we were both tired and when I first cantered off, I didn’t have the pace I wanted so this worried me,” she explained. “But when we got to the end of the ring she was right there with me and the rest was smooth.”

OUTSIDE THE ARENA

Action at the OKC Fairgrounds continued outside of the arena, too. The AQHYA Horse Judging Contest, Justin boots and Wrangler jeans decorating, speech, scrapbook, stall decorating, and art and photo contests were just some of the contests offered. Throughout the show, AQHYA World teams also competed for points in a team spirit contest. View the contest results.

2023 PARADE OF TEAMS

The 2023 youth teams were recognized during the Parade of Teams in the Jim Norick Arena. Also recognized in the arena were the American Quarter Horse Foundation Scholarship recipients, AQHYA World contest winners and the 2023-24 AQHYA Executive Committee and directors.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES SCHOLARSHIP

The American Quarter Horse Foundation awarded two $1,000 youth activities scholarships to Treylyn Hancock and J.T Hill. These scholarships are awarded by the American Quarter Horse Foundation to youth members in their senior year of high school. The youth members also must have successfully participated in at least one AQHYA World in a Level 3 or Level 2 championship class or have competed in a designated AQHYA championship competition at the Youth World Show.

RIDE THE PATTERNS CLINICS

AQHA Professional Horsemen volunteered their time to give free Ride the Pattern clinics, presented by Nutrena. These popular clinics gave exhibitors the perfect opportunity to learn how AQHA Professional Horsemen would approach

a class or pattern. Thanks in part to Nutrena’s generosity to match the amount donated at the Ride the Pattern clinics dollar-for-dollar, the Professional Horsemen Endowment raised $3,625.

For additional information on the 2023 AQHA Youth World Show, including complete Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 class results visit www.aqha.com.

Pictured at the top of this page is Mia Haskins and Al Be Joyful, winning the Level 3 Hunter Hack at this year’s AQHA Youth World Show and (below that) Siena Holyoak, of Morgan, Utah, and Wrap Me In Red, collecting their awards for winning the Level 3 Performance Halter Mares class. Wrap Me In Red is a 2017 red roan mare, sired by VS Code Red out of Gifted Invitation.

VS Dispersal Sale

26 HORSES SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION FOR A TOTAL OF $5,120,250 WITH VS THE FIREMAN FETCHING $2,250,000

he news last summer that Kristen Galyean had decided to disperse of 26 horses from her world class program, including World and Congress Champion stallions, sent shock waves throughout the show

On Aug. 9, when the gavel came down on the final horse of the sale, held at Galyean Quarter Horses in Claremore, Oklahoma, sales totaled $5,120,250 with an average price of $196,932. Horses sold to buyers from 12 states and to Heriot Park Stud, from Australia.

The high selling horse of the auction at $2,250,000 was the popular young stallion, VS The Fireman, multiple AQHA and NSBA World Champion, and Congress Champion. Scott and Ingrid Miller from Arizona are VS The Fireman’s new owners.

“Kristen and the Glover family made a commitment before they announced the sale to not sell any horses prior to the auction. They felt it was the way to be fair to everyone who had interest in their horses,” said Mike Jennings of Professional Horse Services, LLC. “Kyle Myers and the Jennings are proud to say that each horse walked into the sale ring owned by the Galyean and Glover family and left the sale ring with a new owner.”

Second High Seller at $1,000,000 was VS Code Red, multiple Congress Champion and top 15 all-time NSBA sire, a son of Vital Signs Are Good. The new owner is Katie Van Slyke, from Tennessee.

KM Suddenly So Easy, sold for $900,000 to Mary Roberts and is living like a queen in Ocala,

VS Flatline, multiple World and Congress Champion, NSBA Top 20 All Time Leading Sire and another son of Vital Signs Are Good, sold for $250,000 to Chandler Marks of Florida.

Galyean pledged a portion of the sale price of each horse in the auction to the family of Bruce Walquist, popular AQHA Judge and trainer, who was lost due to an injury in May.

The Galyean and Glover families also sold three trophy saddles at the beginning of the auction for $9,400 and will donate those proceeds to the Walquist family.

Kristen and Wesley Galyean, Jim, Debbie and Jared Glover expressed appreciation to those who attended and supported their program. “This was a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ for breeders and exhibitors to own a part of the VS Legacy,” they said.

Sale management was provided by the partnership of auctioneer Kyle Myers and Stephanie and Mike Jennings of Professional Horse Services LLC.

Florida.

T�sa Dalt�

Michigan trainer believes each show horse needs an individual program

Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Shane Rux & Jeff Kirkbride

Michigan trainer Tessa Dalton firmly believes that every horse needs a different program.

“You can have a base line but not all horses can conform to the program and be put in a box,” she explained. “What makes a good trainer is being able to figure each horse out and tweak your program.”

Dalton and her husband, Chris, who is originally from England, have been operating their own training business since 2020, shortly after their 2019 wedding. They met (of course) at a Michigan State University horse show where Tessa says literally Chris ran into her into the show pavilion.

“I remember going back to the stalls and telling someone about it and then I got thinking he probably couldn’t understand my American accent because he just stared at me like he had no idea what was happening.”

Tessa, the daughter of Vanessa Pricopio and Joe Criste, grew up in Fowlerville, Michigan actually got most of her experience with horses working under the guidance of Christie Showerman, of Northfork Farm.

“I went through the whole leveling program from learning how to walk, trot, lope, standing with and without stirrups walk, trot, lope… training a camp horse for a list of maneuvers, so on and so forth,” she explained. “There was a point Christie told me it’s either sports in high school or horses. At that point trail rides, running

through puddles and learning how to bridle a horse was much more important to me. She taught me most all I know, bless her heart and her lesson program. Anyone who is familiar with her program can preach what a great foundation she is putting on kids.”

After becoming engaged to Chris, Tessa worked for Christa Baldwin for a few years where she got to ride and show more horses before they launched their own operation in Whitehall, Michigan.

“We decided to go out on our own because it was just time to spread our wings,” she said. “We got married and wanted to have a new adventure. We needed some new challenges and that’s the only way to grow and push yourselves.”

Soon after they moved Dalton Performance Horses to Silver Creek Farms, a 600-acre property with 250 acres in hay, a 32-stall heated barn, indoor arena, lounge, laundry

room and wash stall. The facility includes 15 turnout pens and the Daltons have 10 horses outside on pasture, two donkeys, a miniature pony, 30 cows and 10 sheep.

“Chris and I focus on the all-around performers,” Tessa said. “I absolutely love the pattern classes (Trail, Western Riding, Horsemanship and Equitation). Chris loves the Trail and we tap into the pleasure a bit. I do love a good hunt seat horse.”

Tessa and Chris have had the opportunity to work with many accomplished show horses including The Red Foxx, One Hot Good Bar, Batmans Got Da Goods and Fancy Enough To Win, owned by her good friend, Madison Mulder. Tessa has been working with the 2011 sorrel gelding by Flirtin With A Win out of Fancy Free Zipponna, since the beginning, when she worked for Showerman. Together they earned a Top 10 in the 3-Year-Old Novice Horse Trail at the 2021 Quarter Horse Congress, in what Tessa calls her biggest achievement to date.

“It was a pretty cool achievement as probably the first 100 times he went over a single Trail pole he was barreling around the arena at home,” she said.

Tessa and Chris also focus much of their program on coaching youth and amateur contenders and they say they are lucky in that all of their customers come ride once or twice a week.

“I love watching the horses and riders become a team,” Tessa said. “Nothing is more satisfying than seeing the customers ride the horses like we can and accomplish their goals.”

When they are not riding or at a show, Tessa and Chris enjoy traveling back to visit Chris’ parents in this hometown of Swarland, United Kingdom each year.

“We then travel four to five days somewhere new,” Tessa said. “Last time it was Italy.”

You can connect with Tessa via the Dalton Performance Horses

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.

Facebook page.

Tessa Dalton is pictured on the opposite page (top) showing Fancy Enough To Win to a Top 10 placing in the 3-Year-Old & Over Novice Horse Trail at the Quarter Horse Congress and below left with Platinum Empire, owned by Coleen Bull, after a good workout at a show. On this page (clockwide from top lefttop) Tessa and Platinum Empire are pictured with Adam Johnson and his horse, One Hot Good Bar; Tessa and Chris on a recent trip to Italy; Tessa witn Mya Edward and Batmans Got Da Goods at the Level 1 Championships; and Tessa with Platinum Empire at The Madness.

C�inne E�lish

Michigan pharmacist says showing horses helps her escape from a busy and stressful work life

Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Shane Rux & Courtney B. Ament

As a clinical pharmacist in the Emergency Department at a hospital in Kalamazoo Michigan, Corinne English is accustomed to working in a pressured environment, heightened by a week-on, week-off schedule of all night shifts.

That’s why showing horses is such an important part of her life outside work.

“There’s something special and peaceful about communicating and working with horses,” she explained. “Horse showing is a great escape from a busy and sometimes stressful work life.”

The daughter of Warren and Laurie English, Corinne is a graduate of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan where she majored in Pharmacy before earning a Doctorate of Pharmacy. She started showing an interest in horses at an early age. Luckily she had a stable close to home where she started taking riding lessons at the age of 8.

“I fell in love with horseback riding very quickly and my parents embraced that interest, supporting and encouraging me to continue riding,” she said.

She got her first taste of showing with an American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) mare by the name of Teddy’s Press Release, a flea bitten gray mare by Impressive that her family owned.

“She was very patient,” English said. “She was just the kindest horse and she taught me so much. I showed open shows and 4H in St. Joseph County for many years before joining the Michigan Quarter Horse Association.”

As a 13 & Under Youth competitor, English competed with Promote My Shadow, sired by Leaguers Shadow.

“He was a tall, beautiful gelding that did anything from Trail to Hunter Under Saddle,” English explained. “He retired early but lived the rest of his years out on the family farm. He came out of retirement for a while for me to show in my equestrian teams in middle/high school. It was particularly fun to show him in the Saddle Seat classes.”

Heza Dee Bars Day came next. He was a 1989 chestnut

gelding by Heza Star Day out of Miss Glo Dee Bars that English showed as a Youth and helped her capture her highest performance placing at a Quarter Horse Congress by winning a Reserve Championship in Novice Youth Showmanship in 2005.

“He was incredibly talented and brilliantly smart,” she said. “He would watch all the other horses do their patterns up until a mistake was made and then ignore the rest of their go after that. It was insane how smart that horse was.”

English’s highest placing at an AQHA Youth World Championship Show came in 2009 with Shady Bizziness Man (Hunter), a dark brown gelding sired by Leaguers

ttt

Corinne English is pictured on the opposite page showing Im Sum Kinda Trouble to a win in the 3-Year-Old Novice Horse Novice Rider Hunter Under Saddle at the 2022 Back To Berrien Futurity. Across the top English is also pictured (left to right) showing Baby Im Worth It at the 2018 Quarter Horse Congress; showing Baewatch at the 2021 AQHA World Show; and Penny (right) with Corinne’s dad showing, and her first foal, Pattie with Corinne showing together at the 2022 AQHA World Show. On this page Corinne is pictured with her family at a Christmas gathering and below that (left) as a member of the 2008 AQHA Youth World Cup Team and (right) performing violin with the Ferris State Orchestra.

Shadow. Together they placed seventh in Hunter Under Saddle.

“He passed away recently at our family farm,” English said.

“He was a very special horse to us as we bought him as a new 2-yearold and had him his whole life. My mother showed him in the Pleasure Driving too. He was known as ‘Big Handsome’ at home because he was.”

At the same time as Hunter, English also showed Coastin In The Dark, a bay gelding sired by Dynamic In The Dark the horse she credits with teaching her the most about bonding and communicating with your horse.

In the past few years, English has had the opportunity to show some highly decorated Halter horses including, Baby Im Worth It (Penny), a 2018 bay mare by Image Matters out of a Playboys

Conclusion mare. They won the 3Year-Old Mares and earned a Reserve Halter Mares Championship at the Quarter Horse Congress in 2018.

“She was the first Halter horse my parents bought with Tom Robertson and I have to say, she made quite the impression,” English said. “Penny is now at the family farm as a broodmare and she has had some pretty babies. Her first foal, a 2021 filly we named Worth Every Pennie (Pattie), sired by Very Cool, is just gorgeous.”

In 2021 Corinne won the Yearling Mares at the AQHA World Show with Baewatch, a bay mare sired by Evinceble. Then in 2022 Corinne won the 3-Year-Old Mares class at the AQHA World Show with Kaanapali Dolly, a sorrel mare sired by Very Cool. She was also Reserve Champion in the Weanling Mares with Brookelynn, a bay mare sired by Evinceble.

English is currently showing Im Sum Kinda Trouble, a 2017 sorrel mare by Hez Only Trouble out of Im Kinda Sleepy, under the direction of Beckey Schooler.

“We are showing in my favorite classes, Horsemanship and Equitation, but hope to add Trail and Showmanship in the future,” she said.

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

ASSOCIATIONS

2023 SALE SETS RECORD (IN) NSBA NEWS

The National Snaffle Bit Association has reported that its 2023 Breeders Championship Futurity Yearling Sale broke several records, generating the largest graduate purse in the sale’s history. That same purse that will be available to sale graduates the next two years at the Breeders Championship Futurity, which is held in conjunction with the NSBA World Championship Show each August.

The NSBA Markel Insurance Breeders Championship Futurity Yearling Sale is a limited-entry consignment sale open to yearlings enrolled in the NSBA Breeders Championship Futurity or NSBA Color Breeders Championship Futurity.

Created in 2013, the sale brings together a variety of yearlings bred by the country’s breeders to a market of owners and exhibitors in search of quality prospects, creating the premier marketplace for young western and hunter horses. Proceeds from each annual sale are used to fund a purse exclusively held for sale graduates. Sale graduates are then eligible to compete for the purse at the Breeders Championship Futurity in their two- or three-year-old year, in addition to the more than $450,000 in earnings available annually to horses enrolled in the Breeders Championship Futurity and Color Breeders Championship Futurity.

Each year, a limited number of consignments are accepted on a first-received basis. 2023 marked the first year that consignors on the waitlist had the option of placing their yearlings in a supplemental online auction hosted by Pro Horse Services LLC. The yearlings listed in the online auction receive all benefits of consigning in the NSBA Markel Insurance Breeders Championship Futurity Yearling Sale, including eligibility for the Sale Graduate Program as a 2- or 3-year-old.

A total of 112 yearlings sold between the in-person auction and the online supplement for over $2.1 million dollars, resulting in a graduate purse estimated to be a recordbreaking $217,473. The overall average of horses sold was $19,039.

Hip #100 Cool Mahogany, a colt, consigned by Knapp Quarter Horse Farms LLC, sold for a record breaking $210,000.

WORLD SHOW JACKETS ARE BACK AQHA ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THE POPULAR AWARDS

The American Quarter Horse Association is has announced the return of awarding championship leather jackets and vests to the 2023 AQHA World and Select World Championship shows. AQHA is thrilled to bring back these great awards for our exhibitors so that they can wear them and be proud of their accomplishments at this year’s show and for many years to come.

The top three placings in the Nutrena Level 3, Adequan Select, Adequan Level 2 and Nutrena Level 1 Champion of Champions classes will all receive a leather jacket. The fourth-

through 10th-place exhibitors in these classes will receive a championship vest.

The winners of each stakes class will also receive a leather jacket and the second- through 10th-place exhibitors in the stakes classes will receive a vest.

This change is among several that have been made to this year’s show. To find out more about how AQHA is improving the World Show experience for its exhibitors, visit www.aqha.com/worldshow.

TWO-PART RANCH SERIES CONTINUES, THANKS TO HEADLEY QUARTER HORSES (IN) OQHA NEWS

The AQHA World and Select World show and the All American Quarter Horse Congress will once again host a two-part ranch series, with $10,000 awarded, courtesy of Headley Quarter Horses, to the owners of the open high point horses competing at both the AQHA and Select World in Working Western Rail and the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Open Working Western Rail Stakes.

The three highest accumulative point earners in the open division will receive the following cash awards: First place, $5,000; Second place, $3,000; Third Place, $2,000.

For additional information visit www.quarterhorsecongress.com.

Roan Horse World Show held along with Southland Circuit

The 2023 American Roan Horse Association (ARHA) World Championship Show was held July 13-15, at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in conjunction with The Southland Circuit.

The following 2023 ARHA Awards were presented: All Around (Molly’s Custom Silver buckle sponsored by Molly’s Custom Silver): No Doubt I Shine and Rachel Trebesh.

High-Point (Saddle and $500 sponsored by Two Legitt): No Doubt I Shine and Rachel Trebesh.

Reserve High Point (Sunburst Saddle Pad sponsored by Sunburst Saddle Pads): Good Miss Cadillac and Emily Craft.

Youth High Point: Good To Bea Red Rock and Abby Lynn Mehl.

Reserve Youth High Point: Good Miss Cadillac and Emily Craft.

Non-Pro High-Point: Wrap Up The Money and Maycee

Watt.

Open High Point: No Doubt I Shine and Rachel Trebesh.

Amateur High Point: No Doubt I Shine: Rachel Trebesh.

The AQHA stallion VS Code Blue was awarded the high earning stallion of the 2023 Roan To Riches futurity. VS Code Blue offspring earned over 10k in Roan To Riches futurity winnings. The mission of Roan To Riches is to promote the breeding of roan horses of AQHA, APHA and ApHC bloodlines, and to offer a futurity showcase and increased earning potential for exhibitors and their roan horses. It is open to any AQHA, APHA and ApHC stallion, regardless of color.

For more information visit www.ridearoan.com.

Photos RG Photography & Christine Arrington

BUZZ

ON THE WEB (www.instrideedition.com)

(IN) LIFE

The National Snaffle Bit Association recently added two professionals to the association’s Quarter Million Dollar Club. Casey Willis, of Ocala, Florida, reached the milestone at The Madness in May. Willis, the son of professional trainers Tracey and Sharon Willis, Casey grew up in Louisburg, Missouri. He got his start in the industry working for Jon Barry in Missouri in 2010. In 2014 he was named head trainer at Masterson Farms in Tennessee, where he earned multiple World Championship titles and futurity wins during his eight-year tenure. In 2022 Willis opened his own training business, Casey Willis Show Horses LLC in Ocala, Florida and married Deana Green later that year.

Allison McDonald became a member of the NSBA Quarter Million Dollar Rider Club at the Stars N Stripes/Big A Circuit this past summer. A native of Bourbon, Indiana, she started showing at breed shows when she was a teen. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from West Texas University and soon after graduation started working for Bruce Vickery as an assistant trainer at the facility he ran with then wife, Sue Ellen (Kaven) in Vincennes, Indiana. After working there for two years, Allison went to work for David and Linda Gresham. She married professional trainer Brett Clark and moved to Fargo, North Dakota where she stayed for 12 years before moving to Georgia to help out at CT Quarter Horses. Today Allison trains and coaches in Unadilla, Georgia, with her husband, Kevin, who operates Blue Ribbon Equine Transport LLC.

THE SUDDEN IMPULSE FUTURITY/ORANGE BLOSSOM CLASSIC AQHA CIRCUIT PLANNED FEATURED AT OCALA’S WORLD EQUESTRIAN CENTER IN APRIL

The World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, has announced the return of Quarter Horses back to the venue with two top events that will be AQHA, NSBA and FQHA approved: A Sudden Impulse AQHA and NSBA Futurity returns to the calendar in April 2024 along with the addition of the Orange Blossom Classic.

A Sudden Impulse AQHA & NSBA Futurity will be held from April 24-28. The show will be approved by AQHA and feature NSBA approved classes with $400,000 in added money.

The Orange Blossom Classic will be held from April 17-21, with four AQHA shows and an NSBA Futurity with $225,000 in added money.

Advertising and Sponsorship: Find show sponsorship opportunity levels and details in the show bill. Contact karla.campbell@wec.net for A Sudden Impulse NSBA & Futurity Show and Orange Blossom Classic sponsorships.

For WEC corporate advertising and sponsorship opportuni-

ties, please contact Jim Wolf at jwolf@wolfsportsgroup.com or Karla Campbell at karla.campbell@wec.net.

More details will be released soon. For questions regarding the events, please contact Greg.Wheat@wec.net.

About World Equestrian Center: World Equestrian Center features two premier equestrian and multidisciplinary venues in Ocala, Florida, and Wilmington, Ohio. These exclusive facilities comprise state-of-the-art arenas, expansive stadiums, versatile outdoor space, sporting fields and well-appointed exposition centers. An abundance of lodging options and luxury accommodations are conveniently located on-site, along with shopping and dining throughout each property. Dedicated to offering great sport and good fun in a family-friendly environment, World Equestrian Center promises an unparalleled experience for exhibitors, spectators, vendors, sponsors and retailers built on three core values: Quality. Class. Distinction. For additional information visit www.worldequestriancenter.com/ocala-fl/

SPLASHED WHITE 8 SPOTTING PATTERN DISCOVERED BY UC-DAVIS RESEARCHERS TESTING NOW PART OF COLOR/PATTERN PANEL

Splashed White 8, a new whitespotting pattern, was recently discovered by researchers at the University of California-Davis. Their research was published September 12, 2023 in Animal Genetics, a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

The de novo mutation first occurred in Southern Phantom, a 2016 bay overo by Bodemeister (TB) and out of Out For Revenge (TB); though the research doesn’t identify him by name (due to standard

research project confidentiality), the horse’s owner confirmed his participation in the study to APHA. Southern Phantom’s bald face, blue eyes, tall stockings and belly white presented like other splashed white patterns, yet he tested negative for known Splashed White variants at the time. His parents are solid bay Thoroughbreds with minimal white markings. Intrigued by Southern Phantom, researchers set out to find the cause of his chrome.

Through whole genome sequencing of Southern Phantom, his parents and his offspring, researchers confirmed a large deletion on the MITF gene; that’s also the genetic home of other Splashed White variants like SW1, SW3, SW5 and SW6.

UC-Davis’s Veterinary Genetics Laboratory announced Splashed White 8 testing is now part of their Color/Pattern Panel, as of early as this month. For more information visit www.apha.com.

Amanda Ringer Show Horses .................24

Elite Trailers .........................................67

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

Backes QH ..........................................65

Baker Futurity Horses .............................65

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

Bar H Photography ...............................69

Barger QH ...........................................65

Barry, Jon .............................................69

Blue Ribbon Tack .................................65

Boo Yah Custom Clothing .......................67

Boxell, John .........................................66

Briere, Pierre ........................................65

Britton, Blake .......................................64

Burris, Tony ..........................................64

English Show Horses..........18, 65, 71, BC

Fisher, Alan ..........................................69

Folck Insurance ....................................69

Galyean, Gil ........................................66

Garcia Quarter Horses ...........................66

Glover/Galyean ...................................68

Golden West ........................................65

Gumz Farms ........................................68

CAC Show Horses ................................64

Caplinger Qtr Horses .............................68

Chafin Perf. Horses ..............................67

Coast To Coast Trailers ............................68

Corrival Ranch ..........................FC, 12-17

CR Ranchwear .....................................66

CT QH .................................................66

Custom Tails ........................................68

Harris Leather ................................11, 66

Horn, Ron ............................................67

Hutchinson Perf Horses ...................22-23

DAC ....................................................67

Darci’s Show Horses .............................67

Davis, Wayne & Judy ............................67

Dickerson Show Horses .........................69

Dobbs Insurance ..................................64