You could tell the crowd thought it was good the minute AQHA Professional Horseman Murray Griggs and McZippo cleared the last pole in the walkover to finish their senior trail go at the 2009 AQHA World Championship Show. The Tim Kimura-designed pattern was more than challenging – forward lopeovers and tight serpentines and transitions and a demanding chute-to-chute back combination. Murray took a long breath, smiled and reached down to pet the gelding. Murray rode sixth, and there were a lot of tough horses and riders to follow. The scores were held and the suspense mounted through the awards until Murray, Tami McAllister and So Much Potential, and Jason Martin and Design By Leaguer were left in the arena. “Folks, there was only a half-point difference between the top three,” said announcer Zeb Bell. Jason ended up with bronze, Tami the silver and Murray rode out with the gold, scoring a 228.5. The Journal caught up with the horseman from Fayetteville, Arkansas, in the Super Barn to ask what that meant to him – his first world championship in 30 years in the horse business.
Click here for The Winnning Run
Click here for results from the class
