Many a youth on the horse show circuit these days have committed so much
to showing that we've opted for home schooling and online institutions
to make room for our busy travel schedules. However, one of the
pitfalls of being a home schooler is missing out on many of the
associated school activities that other students take for granted.
Living the whole horse show lifestyle full-time is a personal choice,
but not one without sacrifice. For me...no football games, pep rallies,
homecoming, dating the quarterback (LOL), and of course the big one – NO
PROM!
When trainer and fashionista, Dakota Diamond Griffith, goes to the Congress, she is all about the shopping. Well...and showing great horses! When packing her...
Welcome from my hometown, Columbus, Ohio and the All American Quarter Horse Congress! Dakota Diamond here, checking back in at GHS.com after a little absence while I got my professional feet on the ground as a trainer. Happy to be back sending you my “pictures of the day” from what may be all of our “favorite” horse show event!
As a hunter under saddle exhibitor, I have noticed a lot of industry chatter questioning how our hunter under saddle horses are to be presented in the show pen. Trainers and exhibitors are asking for clarification on how the horses are judged. I talked to Executive Director of Judges Alex Ross, and trainers: Sandy Vaughn, Carla Wennberg, Brent Tincher, Dawn Baker, Charlie Cole, and Scott DeHelian.
Call me one of those crazy horse people, but even when I’m on vacation I miss my horses. (Come on, ya’ll know what I mean). Why is it that almost every conversation with friends, family or even strangers, turns to horses – even when you are in the middle of the Caribbean! Although I didn’t get to check the one off my list about winning that coveted “golden world show trophy," I did check one item off recently in Jamaica that has been on my list since I was a little girl; riding in the ocean on horseback.
I can’t help but wonder when breeder Libby Trucco named the handsome
2009 colt, Historyrepeatsitself, that she had a premonition about his
already illustrious career. Sired by Libby’s stallion, Repeated in Red,
and out of a daughter of Dynamic Deluxe, “Abe’s” registered name had
tremendous significance for his trainer and rider, Brian Cox.
After their final Youth World, Dakota Diamond Griffith and the class of 2011 are at a major crossroads in their lives. Dakota talked to Brooke Ingstad, Danielle Long, Nick Murphy, Theresa Moran, Christopher Luba, Katie Ralph and Lindsey McMullen, wanting to know what this class of 2011 has in store for their next chapter. They filled her in on how they're dealing with moving on and what they have on the horizon.
To honor Mother's Day weekend, I thought this was a great feel good story to share with all my GoHorseShow.com friends. My position at GHS
has afforded me many great opportunities, including memorable celebrity
interviews. With the finals of American Idol approaching, I thought
it would be a great time to feature one of the Idol contestant who may
not have finished first, but who sure had me at “Hello."
Something about Harleys and horses just seems to fit. With many of the major trainers and owners enjoying a Harley as their “second ride”, you have to admit that the whole Harley raffle thing is soooo cool. Thanks to our GoHorseShow.com friends and advertisers, Jim and Julie Brown, (owners of Finks Harley-Davidson in Zanesville, Ohio), the whole concept of the raffle has become a reality!
When my parents first explored the idea of “home schooling” for me 10+ years ago, my mother took a lot of flak for the idea – mostly from my Dad! It stirred a family debate that created a huge crisis at the time. For any of you who know how “passionate” my parents are when they get something in their brains, magnify that times 1000 and that is what is was like in our home as the homeschooling debate brewed for nearly a year.
Reporting to you directly from the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, Florida, I’d like to share a little preview of last minute gifts for your special “someone” from my amazing sponsor, “All That” Show Clothing. Owner, Tammy Benes is always raising the bar, and this holiday season she is proud to feature several “exclusive vendors” with an international flair!
When my Dad, Sid Griffith, got the call from
Alex Ross that he was being invited to judge the AQHA World Show this year, I
knew immediately that it would rank as one of the highlights in his professional
career. Although my Dad
is a private person behind the scenes, I know it meant a lot to him to be asked
to judge his first AQHA World Show.
There are many variables in
determining a hottie, but it’s not an exact science. Qualities our readers were seeking included success in and out
of the horse show arena, personality, charm, wit, attention to detail, swagger,
fitness, work ethic, and even sexy voices.
After watching Brittany Barker crowned Congress Queen, I put on my GoHorseShow.com reporter hat and
set out to see just what the path to Congress Queen entails.
My first stop was an interview
with the fabulous new Queen.
Brittany and I have quite a history together, so I was filled with
emotion for her big win!
Hey it's Dakota and my "Must Haves" list for the Congress last year
landed me a real job with GoHorseShow so I’m back again this year to
bring you the hottest trends that you can't leave the Congress without.
Trust me, I have
scoured every corner of Congress Hall and the Annex to bring you my 2010
“Must
Haves” and I’ve got something for everyone and every price point. So all
husbands boyfriends,
wives and girlfriends, I've taken the pain out of it all so take
notes!!!