National Horseman A.B.C. 2022

A.B.C.

ACADEMY BOOK OF CHAMPIONS

Kirkland Leadline Walk-&-Trot 6-&-Under

HELLO & WELCOME TO

THE

A.B.C. ACADEMY BOOK OF CHAMPIONS Though every equestrian’s journey has a unique start, there are hallmarks along the way that all riders share. Countless lessons are taken, shows are attended, and memories are made with barn friends and family. Though we may not know each other by name, all horse lovers are united by their passion.

As the introduction to showing for many individuals, the Academy division continues to serve as the truest testament of this camaraderie.

We at National Horseman strive to provide these riders with a keepsake to memorialize the hours, energy and dedication given in pursuit of this sport.

We are proud to bring you the second annual Academy Book of Champions—the A.B.C., for short. As always, this book was designed with our Academy audience in mind. Inside these pages, you will find a summary of the 2022 show season, including galleries from the year, Academy Nationals coverage, and more!

We are excited to highlight the future of our industry in the A.B.C. for years to come. To our returning customers, we thank you for continuing to be a part of this journey. For our future customers, we hope to see you in the A.B.C. next year!

XOXO,

NH

SCAN. CLICK.

SUBSCRIBE. NationalHorseman.com

Jones Academy Walk-&Trot Equitation 11-13

Proudly Supported by Chris & Rebecca Jones • Instructed by DesMar Stables Mark Turner, owner/trainer • Caitlin Cooper & Alayna Applegate, assistant trainers • Brooke Applegate, instructor • Harrodsburg, Kentucky

Neeley Academy Walk-&-Trot Equitation 9-10

Proudly Supported by Sean & Kelli Neeley • Instructed by DesMar Stables Mark Turner, owner/trainer • Caitlin Cooper & Alayna Applegate, assistant trainers • Brooke Applegate, instructor • Harrodsburg, Kentucky

Neeley Academy Walk-&-Trot Equitation 8-&-Under

Proudly Supported by Sean & Kelli Neeley • Instructed by DesMar Stables Mark Turner, owner/trainer • Caitlin Cooper & Alayna Applegate, assistant trainers • Brooke Applegate, instructor • Harrodsburg, Kentucky

"FIND A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO CHALLENGE & INSPIRE YOU; SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH THEM, & IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE." -

A M Y

POEHL ER

TO THE HIGH CALIBER ACADEMY TEAM,

SIMPLY PUT....THANK YOU!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO CHRISTINE THOMAS FOR HER ORGANIZATION & PLANNING IN SPITE OF US ALL. E VA N

&

MA R Y

O R R

"IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD." -

A F R ICA N

PR OV E R B

MEREDITH

Thank you for everything you have taught us.

GRANDMA & GRANDPA

Thank you for getting us to our lessons every week.

LO VE,

EJ

PR OUD

&

EL L I S

PA R ENTS

MARY & EVAN ORR

Being raised & instructed in High Caliber style with love, support & guidance from all of our High Caliber Family.

TO OUR HIGH CALIBER FAMILY

Thank you for loving our crazy & our kids like they were your own! Looking forward to everything 2023 has in store.

-

Proud Parents Mary & Evan Orr

MA R Y

&

EVA N

Proudly Instructed by High Caliber Stables Mary & Evan Orr • highcaliberstables.com

NATIONAL ACADEMY CHAMPIONSHIP HORSE SHOW NOVEMBER 3 - 6 • MILLER COLISEUM • MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE

I

f you have never experienced the National Academy Championship Horse Show, also known as Academy Nationals, you are missing out. Imagine that someone combined a NASCAR pit, a traditional multi-day horse show, and the most-fun summer camp imaginable. Only then will you be able to comprehend the full scale of operations at Academy Nationals.

The scene in the warm-up arena is like nothing you’ve ever witnessed before.

The superstars of the weekend are, of course, the lesson horses. They often pull double and triple duties, heading into the ring back-to-back with riders of varying ages and experience levels. The instructors and their helpers cross from the warm-up to the ring, with tack changes and rider swaps being handled quickly and efficiently without missing a beat.

Amidst the commotion, family members, friends and miscellaneous dogs come and go from the warm-up, wishing their riders well and taking photos to commemorate

S T O R Y B Y Julie Anne Broder P H O T O S B Y Julie Anne Broder and Dakota McCarthy S H O W O F F I C I A L S Judges: Chris Carrick, Toni Knight Utoft, Renee Lavery | Show Manager: Joyce Webster

Show Secretary: Janie Hamilton Hixon | Show Photographer: EventMix | Announcers: Travis Olinger, Adam Hensley Organist: R.S. Perkins | Videographer: EventMix | Paddock Master: Regina Head | Farrier: Taulby Runyon

the experience. All this takes place while the next group of riders are warming up and preparing for their turn in the ring. To a firsttime observer, it can seem like a calamitous affair, but the instructors clearly have it all under control. The smiles from competitors and families spread like wildfire.

With an an audience full of loud cheering and support for each exhibitor, Academy Nationals is an exceptionally positive environment, and a spectator can’t help but wonder how to inject this level of enthusiasm into other shows across the country.

This year, the show appointed an advisory board to help shape and revise the schedule of events. The 2022 board members were Courtney Huguley, Georgia Morrison, Sheri Brandl, Brittney Harris, Betsy Webb and Allison Cantrell.

Over the winter, the group worked with show management to reorganize the original three-day format to a new four-day schedule, beginning on Thursday evening. This improved lineup allowed for exhibitors and their families to have evenings off to socialize and rest up for the next day’s competition.

This year’s event had many fun activities for parents and exhibitors alike.

A pep rally was hosted in the coliseum, where exhibitors were encouraged to show their team spirit in their best barncolor gear.

There also was a parade of barns, where each barn presented its entire team and barn banner from center ring.

Parents and families cheered loudly from the gallery, celebrating the season of hard work and accomplishments of each rider and instructor.

On Sunday, two presentations took place between classes. The first was the Instructor of the Year award, presented to Jessie Richardson of Evermore Farm.

The second presentation was another Hall of Fame award, bestowed upon the two horses named as Horse of the Year. Horses were nominated for this award via an application process, in which participants submitted a story explaining why their horse is the ideal candidate for this prestigious honor. This year, the awards were given to Apollo of High Spirits Farm, who passed away in September, and Flash of Northern Belle Stables.

With 1,325 entries from 19 different states, and 99 total classes including splits, riders could potentially compete up to six times over the course of

the show. This is the only Academy show in the country to boast a three-judge panel.

The qualifying classes were divided by age group and whether they are walkand-trot or walk-trot-canter. To qualify for each successive round, competitors needed to place high enough in the qualifier. The placing required for advancement depended on the number of splits and exhibitors in each class. The qualifying riders moved on to the Championship rounds. Classes typically had up to three total rounds. Finals were held Saturday morning.

The Academy Nationals experience always is one full of enthusiasm: it is chockfull of excitement for the sport, the industry, the horse, and for learning and growing. In a year where it was easy to get bogged down, these shining competitors rose to the occasion. They celebrated their personal triumphs and cheered on their friends with an authenticity not often seen in the performance world.

Regardless of whether they were competing on this scale for the first time or for their final years in Academy, all the participants showed an eagerness to learn and enjoy the whole competition process. It was a weekend well spent by all in attendance.

N AT I O N A L A C A D E M Y CHAMPIONSHIP

MOMENTS

Georgia

McGuire

A C A D E M Y N AT I O N A L S

Academy Walk-&-Trot Junior Equitation 11-12 Reserve National Champion Academy Walk-&-Trot Showmanship 11-12 Sec. A Reserve Champion Academy Walk-&-Trot Equitation 11-12 Sec. A Reserve Champion

Proudly Supported by The McGuire Family • Cornelius, North Carolina Trained by Lenux Stables, Inc. • Brooke & Quintus VanderSpuy, owners/trainers • Stephanie Bush, instructor • Huntersville, North Carolina • www.lenuxstables.com • 980-254-6080

Reece Kidd A C A D E M Y N AT I O N A L S

Academy Walk-&-Trot Equitation 9-10 Sec. D Champion Academy Walk-&-Trot Showmanship 9-10 Sec. D - Top 3

Proudly Supported by Bek Mitchell-Kidd & Mike Kidd • Huntersville, North Carolina Trained by Lenux Stables, Inc. • Brooke & Quintus VanderSpuy, owners/trainers • Stephanie Bush, instructor • Huntersville, North Carolina • www.lenuxstables.com • 980-254-6080

The Heathermoor Farm competitors share words of affirmation as they prepare to mount their horses in the warm-up ring.

N AT I O N A L A C A D E M Y CHAMPIONSHIP

MOMENTS

Taylor Hawkins proudly shows off her new reserve tri-color silks. Taylor was instructed and supported by the team at Highland Ridge Stables.

Tessa BUHLMANN & SIR STEVEN TYLER ACADEMY NATIONALS

Academy Junior Equitation 13~&~Under National Champion Academy Showmanship 12-13 Section A Reserve Champion Proudly supported by Eric & Dee Dee Buhlmann

Alessia GATTO & CALLAWAY’S INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

ACADEMY NATIONALS

Academy Junior Equitation 13-&-Under Reserve National Champion Academy Equitation 12-13 Section B Champion Academy Showmanship 12-13 Section B Reserve Champion Proudly supported by Doreen Beckius Trained by Highland Ridge Stables • Sarah McClintock • Gabby Greco Assistant trainer/instructor N6735 Hillside Dr. • Concord, WI 53094 • www.highlandridgestables.com • (262) 894-2526

Kressa PUGH & CH KING OF POP

ACADEMY NATIONALS

Academy Walk-&-Trot Equitation 7-8 Section B Champion Academy Walk-&-Trot Showmanship 7-8 Section B Champion Proudly Supported by Fred & Karah Pugh

Mackenzie LENZ & CALLAWAY’S INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

ACADEMY NATIONALS

Academy Walk-&-Trot Junior Equitation 9-10 National Finals - Top 6 Academy Walk-&-Trot Junior Showmanship 9-10 National Finals - Top 7 Proudly supported by Pat & Jennifer Lenz

Trained by Highland Ridge Stables • Sarah McClintock • Gabby Greco Assistant trainer/instructor N6735 Hillside Dr. • Concord, WI 53094 • www.highlandridgestables.com • (262) 894-2526

Taylor

HAWKINS & I’M ANDY

ACADEMY NATIONALS

Academy Walk-&-Trot Showmanship 7-8 Reserve National Champion Academy Walk-&-Trot Equitation 7-8 Reserve National Champion Academy Walk-&-Trot Equitation 7-8 Section B Grand Champion Academy Walk-&-Trot Showmanship 7-8 Section B Grand Champion Proudly supported by Jamie & Emily Hawkins Scott "Pepa" & Jennifer Schroeder Trained by Highland Ridge Stables • Sarah McClintock • Gabby Greco Assistant trainer/instructor N6735 Hillside Dr. • Concord, WI 53094 • www.highlandridgestables.com • (262) 894-2526

N AT I O N A L A C A D E M Y CHAMPIONSHIP

MOMENTS

Rebekah Baubie smiles at the camera as she steers her mount back to the High Caliber Stables stalls. Rebekah topped the competitive Senior Equitation Final in Murfreesboro, much to the delight of her barn family.

N AT I O N A L A C A D E M Y CHAMPIONSHIP

MOMENTS

NATIONAL ACADEMY CHAMPIONSHIP BOBBY WOLFENBERG MEMORIAL PERPETUAL INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR

EVERMORE FARM JESSICA RICHARDSON

Gillian Frankenfield and Laney Simpson pose for a commemorative first-place photo.

Gillian has been working hard for these results all year under the direction of Solaris Farm.

A C A D E M Y

N A T I O N A L S

Academy Walk~&~Trot Junior Equitation 11-12 National Champion Academy Walk~&~Trot Junior Showmanship 11-12 Reserve National Champion Academy Walk~&~Trot Equitation 11 -12 Section D Champion Academy Walk~&~Trot Showmanship 11 -12 Section B Grand Champion Academy Walk~&~Trot Showmanship 11 -12 Section D Reserve Champion

Supported by proud parents Zach & Katie Stamey, & siblings Logan, Gibson & Avery Stamey Proudly Instructed by Boone’s Farm & Stables • Paul Boone, trainer • Betsy Boone, riding instructor • 704-305-3447

N AT I O N A L A C A D E M Y CHAMPIONSHIP

MOMENTS

H ayden O'CONNELL &

G A N D A L F

T H E

G R E A T

ACAD E M Y N AT I ONA L S

THE LYNN VIA MEMORIAL SENIOR EQUITATION 14-17 RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION Proudly supported by Mom & Dad, Grammy & Grandpop

Trained by Louisville Equestrian Betsy Webb, owner/trainer Anna Simpson, instructor Meg Purdy, instructor 6720 Mt. Washington Rd. Taylorsville, Kentucky 40071 (502) 477-0830 louisvilleequestriancenter.com

Avery Kuzma gives Life’s Supreme Lesson a grateful hug as he carries her out of the ring with their newly acquired Championship silks.

NATIONAL ACADEMY CHAMPIONSHIP HORSES OF THE YEAR

FAWN LEDGE

AUDACIOUS

ALL ABOUT CHARM

“FLASH”

“APOLLO”

CH-EQ

IN LOVING MEMORY 2001-2022 LOVED BY N O R T H E R N B E L L E S TA B L E S

L OV E D B Y H I G H S P I R I T S FA R M

Nancy Lowry shares a supportive and proud smile with her daughter Margaret as they exit the show ring.

&

Kelly

U N DU L ATA ' S

O C A L A

ST R A NG E R

WOM A N

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Academy Walk-&-Trot Equitation 10-&-Under Sec. B Champion Academy Walk-&-Trot Showmanship 10-&-Under Sec. B Reserve Champion CELEBRATING THE END TO A SUCCESSFUL ACADEMY CAREER...

EXCITED TO HEAD INTO PERFORMANCE NEXT SEASON! Proudly Supported by Jason & Jennifer Kelly • Trained by Feather Ridge Equestrian Jessie Best, owner/trainer • Meg Raynor, trainer/instructor • Fayetteville, North Carolina • 248-225-0768

SHOW SEASON 2022

SPRING

SHOW SEASON 2022

SUMMER

SHOW SEASON 2022

FALL

MY SHOW SEASON

JOURNAL Name: Age: MY FAVORITE MEMORY FROM THIS YEAR’S SHOW SEASON:

HORSE(S) I SHOWED:

SOMETHING THAT WORKED WELL IN THE RING:

SOMETHING TO IMPROVE ON:

MY GOOD LUCK CHARM: FAVORITE HORSE THAT I SAW SHOW: MY PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT OF 2022:

MY GOAL FOR NEXT YEAR:

A P PA R E L | A C C E S S O R I E S | H O M E

. C O M

SEE THEM ON

FACEBOOK? ORDER ONLINE! Click. View. Order. Share.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS AN ACADEMY PROGRAM IS THE BACKBONE OF MANY FARMS AND A PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO THE SHOW HORSE INDUSTRY. NATIONAL HORSEMAN SPOKE WITH SOME INDUSTRY LEADERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE DIVISION, AND THEIR HOPES FOR THE FUTURE.

clothes, saddles and lessons. This can help clients ease into the expense of horse ownership.

BEST: The Academy division teaches young riders ring positioning and showmanship in very large classes.

JESSIE

WHY IS THE ACADEMY DIVISION, AND ACADEMY NATIONALS IN PARTICULAR, IMPORTANT FOR RIDERS WHO SHOW ACADEMY THEIR ENTIRE CAREER? MCCLINTOCK: I don’t want any of our riders to be career Academy competitors. The hope is that Nationals helps gauge the rider’s goals and plans for the future.

I can see the benefit to having Nationals for this reason though. It is the pinnacle of Academy showing, like Louisville is to a show rider. A competition like Nationals is a great thing to have for the Academy rider so they have this incredible thing to strive for. Attending Nationals has been a game-changer for my business. We select team members earlier in the season, and then we make a plan for the riders to achieve the most success. We take time to select show clothes, proper saddle fit, and shows leading up to Nationals. In the month or so prior, all the riders amp up their ride time and lessons to be prepared.

SARAH Sarah McC

lintock, H

ighland R

Jessie Best,

idge Stab

Feather Ridg

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e Equestrian

JESSIE BEST: Academy Nationals is WHY IS THE ACADEMY DIVISION AN IMPORTANT STEPPING STONE TO SHOWING IN PERFORMANCE? MCCLINTOCK: It allows riders to get comfortable and confident on safe, seasoned horses.

It also allows them to show in work bridles. Academy classes also tend to be larger in size, so riders can learn how to strategize and work the arena prior to partnering with a show horse. In my opinion, it is essential to gain experience in Academy before stepping up to show horses. Academy is also more affordable and helps riders and families begin to budget for shows, SARAH

very important for riders who show Academy their entire career. It gives students and families who may not be able to afford horses the opportunity to get the same showing experience as other riders.

WHAT POSITIVE CHANGES IN THE DIVISION HAVE YOU SEEN RECENTLY? SARAH MCCLINTOCK: I have seen

really good riding. In many ways, the horseback riding you see in Academy is so good that I think it is very difficult to judge. There are a lot of strong, confident riders with great control of themselves,

the horses, and the ring. I like that Academy gives the older show horses or the younger horses that don’t pan out as show horses a place to go. Lesson programs are the backbone of the industry, and they are the unsung heroes in all of this. Every single decent rider out there had to start somewhere; it was most likely in Academy.

JESSIE BEST: I think the change in

the shoeing rule in our area has been very positive. This allows for older lesson horses to be more comfortable while showing.

WHAT IS ONE CHANGE YOU’D LIKE TO SEE IN THE FUTURE? SARAH MCCLINTOCK: I would like

to see pattern work for all the riders at the National Final level. Ideally starting with the 7-8 Walk-and-Trot division, but for sure in the 9-10 Walkand-Trot, though I understand that time is of the essence. There could be a list of possible patterns in the prize book. We do this in the Midwest. so everyone is prepared. At some point, I think some Academy shows could have classes for certain level riders. Locally, we have Green Rider and sometimes Limit or Novice Rider Academy. This is helpful for the rider who is new to showing in Academy.

I think that regulating shoeing in Academy is somewhat ridiculous.

I understand the reasoning, but in many cases older horses need some show shoeing to stay sound.

I also wouldn’t mind seeing classes for the true school horses: classes specifically for the non-fancy showtype horses. I get tired of hearing the complaints on what makes an Academy horse. I don’t know why Academy needs to be synonymous with ugly. At the end of the day, if you can’t ride what you are sitting on, then it doesn’t matter how pretty it is or how much it cost.

JESSIE BEST: I would like to see more

barns encouraging some of their students to participate in the Hunt Seat classes that are offered at the Academy shows.

YEAR IN REVIEW POP CULTURE Taylor Swift took fans for a trip down memory lane with her release of “Red (Taylor’s Version).”

Excitement around the re-release of the album set the internet abuzz with videos of fans dramatically crying in the rain and acting out lyrics featured on the iconic album. The power Ballad “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” broke the record for the longest song to top the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. This spot was previously held by “American Pie” by Don McLean.

Nostalgic sequels of hit films debuted in theaters, bringing together fans of all ages. The much-anticipated “Spider-Man: No Way Home” delighted fans as all three motion picture versions of the beloved character appeared on-screen together. The feature is the sixth-highest grossing movie of all time, and broke “Avatar’s” record for highest-grossing box-office movie in the United States. In the same vein, “Top Gun: Maverick” also melded nostalgia with fresh ideas, reviving the iconic roles of Tom Cruise’s “Maverick” and Val Kilmer’s “Iceman,” as well as introducing “Rooster,” who was portrayed by Miles Teller. The film is currently the highest-grossing movie of 2022, surpassing “The Batman” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.”

Kristen Stewart’s portrayal of Princess Diana in “Spencer” set the fashion world buzzing with excitement. The influence of the role was extensive, as culture and design giants found themselves re-emersed in the key aesthetic principles that helped shape Diana’s influence on the world.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY The James Webb Space Telescope released the first images since its launch in December 2021. With greater capabilities than the Hubble Telescope, the James Webb Telescope allows astronomers to see the first galaxies that formed in the universe, as well as the formation of new stars and planetary systems.

Virtual Reality technology is advancing and expanding its application beyond the realm of gaming. The Teslasuit and gloves take the VR experience a step further, adding the sensation of touch to make the VR world seem that much more realistic. This technology is currently used by NASA in their astronaut training programs, and has numerous potential training applications across the industries of emergency response, customer service and more.

2021-2022 WORLD EVENTS Juneteenth became a federal holiday after President Biden signed legislation to officially commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The new holiday is a marker for the official anniversary of Union General Gordan Granger’s announcement under the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.

Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September after celebrating her Platinum Jubilee, which marked the 70th anniversary of her accession to the crown.

This was a monumental achievement for the monarch, as she became the first British monarch to celebrate the milestone. The four-day holiday weekend culminated in several events, including military presentations, picnics and performances.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, sparking the largest and most devastating war in Europe since World War II. Since the launch of the Russian campaign, countless Ukrainian cites have been laid to waste, sparking a global humanitarian crisis and overarching feeling of insecurity.

SPORTS The 2022 Olympic Winter Games made Beijing the first city in the world to host both summer and winter editions of the Olympic Games, a historical moment for both the city and the event itself. With the addition of seven new events, from men’s and women’s freestyle big air to mixed team speed skating, the 109 sporting events held in central Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou hosted monumental talent and allowed viewers to embrace the excitement of winter sports.

Rich Strike won the 2022 Kentucky Derby at odds of 80-1, making him the second-longest shot in history to win. He wasn’t on the roster to compete until a last-minute scratch the day before the race, and trainer Eric Reed and owner Richard Dawson were given less then 24 hours’ notice of their place in the Derby. Jockey Sonny Leon made a massive move forward, guiding the horse from the 18th position to surpass the leaders by ¾ of a length.

NBA Champion • Golden State Warriors (June 2022) Stanley Cup Champion • Colorado Avalanche (June 2022) PGA Champion • Justin Thomas (May 2022) Kentucky Derby Winner • Rich Strike (May 2022) Super Bowl Champion • Los Angeles Rams (February 2022) World Series Champion • Atlanta Braves (November 2021) WNBA Champion • Chicago Sky (October 2021)

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M AT C H E A C H H O R S E T O T H E I R A P P R O P R I AT E S A D D L E

NH THANK YOU TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS FOR A GREAT 2022.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR! Copyright. All rights reserved. Copyright © by National Horseman Publishing, Inc. No reprints of advertising, articles, stories or any content may be made without written permission of the Publisher.