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Kash Money
A New Era for Amanda Smith & the Future of Hunter Under Saddle
Some horses are bred for greatness. Others seem to summon it.
Amanda Smith’s new stallion, Kash Money—a stunning, sweet-natured bay bred by Wayne and Judy Davis—isn’t just a prospect with show-ring presence. He’s the culmination of timing, talent, and trust, a horse whose arrival marks the next bold chapter in Smith’s journey as an exhibitor and now, stallion owner.
“This was never something we were actively pursuing,” Amanda reflects. “But when we saw him, we just knew. It was meant to be.”
And what a horse he is. Kash, by Hot N Blazing and out of Just Like June, is an example of the ideal Hunter Under Saddle sire: strong, elegant, athletic, and a joy to ride. A Reserve Champion in the 2-Year-Old Maiden at the Congress, the young stallion’s career is just beginning.
A Natural Fit, A Fateful Meeting
The story of Amanda’s partnership with Kash began the way many deals in the horse industry do—not in a show pen, but in a casual conversation.
In the summer of 2025, Amanda had recently started working with trainer Scott Suggs, whose sharp eye and decades of experience with top hunt seat horses gave his endorsement particular weight. “We were talking about young horses,” Amanda remembers, “and Scott mentioned he had seen a two-year-old that was really incredible.”
“When Scott says a horse is special, you listen,” she laughed. Later that summer at the NSBA World Show, Scott and Amanda’s husband, Tim, talked about stallions. The couple had long admired the idea of owning a sire who could truly add something meaningful to the industry, but only if the right horse came along. That horse turned out to be Kash.
At the time, Kash wasn’t for sale. He wasn’t even on their radar. But fate had other plans.
When Amanda accompanied Scott to visit Katy Jo Zuidema—Kash’s breeder, owner, and trainer they saw the young prospect for the first time. “He was everything Scott said he was,” Amanda says. “We weren’t looking to buy. But I got on him, rode him, and called my husband. I said, ‘This is the horse. This is the one. I knew immediately.’”
A Team Built on Trust
In many ways, Kash’s story is as much about people as it is about a horse.
That dinner with Scott and Katy Jo sealed it: Amanda and Tim were given the opportunity to purchase Kash, with one important condition. “We wanted to keep Katy Jo involved,” Amanda explains. “She raised him, and she’s amazing. It wouldn’t feel right without her being part of it.”
Katy Jo agrees. “The whole thing just worked,” she says. “Scott and I have done a lot together.
And when he came to see another horse, he saw Kash turned out and was blown away. I wasn’t planning to sell him, but Amanda and Tim are the kind of people you want owning a horse like this.”
The decision was also deeply personal for Katy Jo. Kash’s dam, Just Like June, was Judy Davis’ last great show mare. “When we bred her back to Hot N Blazing and got Kash, we knew he was special,” Katy Jo says. “My dad called me the day he was born and told me to come see him. That never happens. But he had so much bone, so much presence, even then. He was different.”
Judy’s recent health scare added urgency to those early days. “Riding Kash was something I could control. Having him was therapeutic,” Katy Jo shares. “Selling him was emotional. But Scott had a plan, and I could tell Amanda and Tim were the right people for him. It all fell into place very easily.”
Built to Last: Form, Function, and the Future
From the beginning, Kash has been exceptional. Everyone in the horse’s camp attests to that.
“He’s incredibly mature for his age,” Scott says. “He doesn’t look like a two-year-old. His conformation, his balance, his strength—he’s a perfect example of form to function. You don’t have to Photoshop him. Every picture is good because that’s just the way he moves.”
At the 2025 Congress, Kash proved that promise, finishing Reserve Champion in the 2-Year-Old Maiden Hunter Under Saddle. “He had a great ride in the finals,” Scott says. “It was even better because we were able to do it with Wayne and Judy there. That meant a lot.”
The plan going forward is carefully thought out. Scott will continue to develop Kash slowly. The horse will show next at Venice with Katy Jo in the irons. As the season goes on, the team will campaign him in the 3-Year-Old Open futurities and hopes to qualify him for the 2026 World Show. Amanda also plans to debut him in the Non-Pro 3-Year-Old events next year.
“We won’t run his wheels off,” Katy Jo says. “There’s
a lot of reasons to take care of him. He’s the one we’ve been waiting for.”
Breeding With Purpose
Amanda is excited about more than just earning titles and accomplishments with the young stallion. She has her sights set on building a legacy.
“I’m looking forward to breeding Kash to amazing mares,” she says. “He brings something really valuable to the gene pool. He has good bone, he’s sound, he has great X-rays, and he’s a true Hunter Under Saddle horse. That’s something the industry is hungry for.”
Scott agrees. “We’ve been missing a high-end hunter under saddle stud to breed to. Kash checks all the boxes. I’ve been looking for a horse like this my whole life.”
Katy Jo echoes the sentiment: “There aren’t a lot of prolific Hot N Blazing stallions out there. It’s exciting to bring in oldschool bloodlines with a modern frame. And Judy always said we need to put good bone back on these horses—Kash can
Already, breeders have expressed interest. And while Kash’s show career is just getting started, the long-term vision is clear: develop him with care, promote him with integrity, and raise the bar for the Hunter Under Saddle industry.
More Than a Horse
For Amanda, Kash is more than a stallion—he’s a symbol of what’s possible when passion for the horse meets meaningful partnership.
“My husband isn’t a horse person, but he’s so excited about this horse,” Amanda shares. “This was his first Congress. He’s been learning about breeding, asking questions, and getting involved. It’s a really special experience for both of us.”
As a business owner, stepmom, and horsewoman, Amanda is no stranger to juggling responsibilities. But her commitment to her horses is unwavering. “This is my passion,” she says. “And now we get to be part of something bigger than ourselves.”
Scott sees that drive, and it gives him confidence. “Amanda’s learning on the fly, but she’s got a great support group,” he says. “We’ll give Kash the best chance to be successful. They’re walking on cloud nine right now after the Congress—and I’ve told them to hang on, because this is just the beginning.”
In an industry full of talented horses, Kash Money’s team believes that he stands apart—not just for what he is, but for what he represents. He’s a nod to the past, a bridge to the future, and a reminder that sometimes, the best things happen when you’re not even looking.
For Amanda Smith, he’s a dream come true. “It still doesn’t feel real,” she says. “Sometimes I have to pinch myself. But I’m so grateful. I’m proud to own him, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Article Written by: Elizabeth Arnold
Photography by: Shane Rux Photography & Michael Morgan
