As 2012 comes to an end, it has become a GoHorseShow.com tradition to look back on our top-10 most popular stories of the year as determined by our readers. As possibly the most significant news story to ever hit our industry unfolded right before our eyes, the year 2012 was a year that wil go down in history. But there certainly was more than just one story in 2012 and GoHorseShow.com was there to cover it all.
GoHorseShow.com’s goal is to combine responsible journalism, entertainment, education, interaction and fun and to provide a reading experience unparalleled to any other in our industry. We will reveal the top-10 stories of the year over the next 10 days. Each story’s ranking is determined by how many times it was read. Thank you GoHorseShow.com readers for making 2012 the year where we enjoyed our highest amount of web traffic in our history!
NUMBER 1
Rita Crundwell Arrested for Fraud; Free on $4,500 Bond
Published 4/17/2012
It should come to no one’s surprise that the devastating case of Rita Crundwell’s mass embezzlement was the most popular story on GoHorseShow.com for 2012. Crundwell’s misappropriation of $53 million from the City of Dixon for over two decades to buy and care for her Quarter Horses was not only the biggest news story of the year or the decade, but is arguably the
biggest story our horse industry has ever seen. GoHorseShow.com’s story of Crundwell’s arrest was not just our most popular story for 2012, but Crundwell-related stories actually accounted for six of GoHorseShow.com’s top-10 stories of the year.
GoHorseShow.com broke the story to the horse industry on April 17 after receiving a tip from a reader that the FBI was in the process of raiding her Dixon farm. What ensued immediately after, and for many months following, sent shockwaves through the horse industry well beyond anything we had ever experienced before. From an appearance on the Today Show, to multiple other news outlets around the world, GoHorseShow.com solidified ourselves as the Crundwell story leader within the horse industry. To this day, we still have people recount their stories of where they were when they first read about Crundwell on GoHorseShow.
Crundwell is scheduled to be sentenced on February 14.
Click here to read the most popular story on GoHorseShow.com in 2012.
NUMBER 2
AQHA and NSBA Suspend Shirley Roth Effective September 19, 2012
Published 9/20/2012
On the exact same day (9/11) that we learned that $130,000 worth of tack was stolen at the Reichert Celebration (which was the 3rd most popular story of the year), we also published a press release from both AQHA and the NSBA that Shirley Roth was involved in an alleged case of animal abuse that also took place at the Reichert Celebration.
Nine days later, both AQHA and NSBA suspended Shirley Roth based on the Association’s receipt of reports regarding the alleged inhumane treatment of the 2-year-old stallion Kissin The Girls, a horse entrusted to Ms. Roth’s care and responsibility. Roth’s suspension was the second most popular story in 2012.
On October 5, GoHorseShow.com obtained a copy of the Arrest Warrant Affidavit from the City of Fort Worth filed by Detective Brady with the Fort Worth Police Department on September 21, 2012. The Affidavit accuses Shirley Ann Roth of Cruelty To Livestock Animals, Penal Code 42.09 (a) (1) for an incident occurring on September 8 at the Will Rogers Coliseum during the Reichert Celebration.
Ms. Roth maintained her innocence but declined to comment to GoHorseShow.com.
As of January 2, 2013, there is still an ongoing investigation from the Fort Worth Police department and she is still under suspension at AQHA and NSBA.
Click here to read the 2nd most popular story on GoHorseShow.com in 2012.
NUMBER 3
Tack Valued at $130,000 Stolen at Reichert Celebration
Published 9/11/2012
The 3rd most popular story of 2012 hit home with many of our readers because it could happen to almost anyone. GoHorseShow readers were horrified to learn that over $130,000 worth of tack, hats and clothes was stolen at the Reichert Celebration held in Ft. Worth, Texas. Trainers Ryan Painter, Wade Parks, and Carly Veldman had their tack stalls broken into at the show early Sunday morning, September 9, between 1:30 am and 4:45 am. Their tack stalls were located in the same aisleway.
Click here to read the 3rd most popular story on GoHorseShow.com in 2012.
NUMBER 4
Larry and Rhonda Spratto’s Barn Burns; 13 Horses Lost
Published 5/3/2012
The 4th most popular story of 2012 was certainly a tragedy and every horse person’s biggest nightmare. During the tragedy, we also saw how wonderful the horse community can be. Trainers, Larry and Rhonda Spratto’s barn burned to the ground and 13 horses were lost in the Pickett, Wisconsin fire after the barn was hit by lightning. GoHorseShow readers rallied together and helped raise over $7,500 for the Spratto’s. Just two days after the tragedy, the Spratto’s gave thanks and said goodbye to their equine friends in another popular story on GoHorseShow.
Then in June, we reported on the story of 12 year-old Katelyn Schultz who had lost her horse, A Sweet Addiction, in the fire. Tears Into Cheers: New Horse Brings New Hope After Tragedy assured us that not all was lost when Suzy Jeane put Schultz together with her son’s old horse, Crashin The Bash. Through it all, one special horse brought new hope and light into the Schultz’s lives during such a difficult time and turned tears into cheers.
Click here to read the 4th most popular story on GoHorseShow.com in 2012.
NUMBER 5
Industry Change: Banning Equipment Good or Bad?
Published 2/27/2012
The 5th most popular story of 2012 addressed a controversial topic that was being debated among AQHA exhibitors, trainers and horse owners across the country involving the possibility of only arena-legal equipment being allowed on horse show grounds. GoHorseShow.com’s Senior Writer, Laura Gilmer, spoke with multiple World Champion trainers, Gil Galyean, Leslie Lange and Charlie Cole who were all outspoken about these possible new changes. Tom Persechino, AQHA’s Executive Director of Competition and Breed Integrity spoke at length with GoHorseShow.com as well.
Gilmer’s story received 82 reader comments on GoHorseShow, not to mention hundreds of comments on our Facebook page. Seven months later, AQHA released a story regarding the newly approved equipment rules that were decided by the Executive Committee that went into effect at the 2012 AQHA World Championship Show.
Click here to read the 5th most popular story on GoHorseShow.com in 2012.
NUMBER 6
Former AjPHA President Banks Ready’s Recovery Information
Original Publish Date May 25, 2012
We were all saddened to hear that Banks Ready, the former president American Junior Paint Horse Association, was injured in a car accident May 24. The original report was that Banks suffered broken bones and internal injuries. However, GoHorseShow is happy to report that Banks Ready is now home with his family for the holidays after seven long months in the hospital and rehabilitation facilities. Banks is learning to walk again and he is showing progress both physically and mentally.
“We have a long way to go but God has brought us further than the doctors said we could come,” says George Ready, Banks’ father. “Banks is talking and responding. He is still physically weak and may have some nerve damage on right side, but we continue to have faith that God will restore Banks back to a full life. We love you all for the support and prayers.”
Click here to read the 6th most popular story on GoHorseShow.com in 2012.
NUMBER 7
We Ask The Judges: Has the Western Pleasure Class Regressed?
Published 5/29/2012
Western Pleasure was quite the hot topic in 2012 and our 7th most popular story for 2012 addressed it head on. GoHorseShow.com began a series this year called “We Ask The Judges” where we asked judges their opinions on various topics. The most popular in the series was when we interviewed 10 top judges and asked them if they felt the class had regressed to the days when the horses went too slow and were over-canted. We also polled our readers and 75 percent of them disliked the way horses were being shown in that class.
AQHA has addressed this topic throughout the year. Just this month they announced that exhibitors should expect the judges to ask for lengthened strides in all gaits in the western pleasure pen – walk, jog and lope in 2013. We can only wait and see if that improves people’s perception of the class.
Click here to read the 7th most popular story on GoHorseShow.com in 2012.
NUMBER 8
Young Girl Sends Sign of Approval to Family From Heaven
Published 5/17/12
It certainly does not go unnoticed that we celebrate the 8th most popular story for 2012 on Christmas Day. Skeptics of the supernatural, spirits and the afterlife may give pause when we tell you the story of 16 year-old Emily Bohnsack of Durant, Iowa. However, our readers embraced Emily’s touching and tragic story enough to make it one of our most popular stories of the year.
Click here to read the 8th most popular story on GoHorseShow.com for 2012.
NUMBER 9
Dasi’s Day in Pictures at the Congress
Published 10/28/2012
The 9th most popular story on GoHorseShow.com for 2012 has an international flair. Our readers got a taste of the All-American Quarter Horse Congress through the eyes of European graphic designer and horse trainer, Jadasa Jablonowski, a/k/a, Dasi. For each of the 15 days that Dasi was in Columbus, she took a picture to represent something from the day. We always loved seeing what the next picture would bring! Our personal favorites included Dasi’s trip to the Sweet Shop, catching Charlie Cole after a very successful day and visiting with our own Laura Gilmer and Jennifer Simpson. Ciao!
Click here to read the 9th most popular story on GoHorseShow.com for 2012.
NUMBER 10
APHA’s Kate Upton Becomes 2012 Sports Illustrated Cover Model
Published 2/13/2012
The 10th most popular story on GoHorseShow.com for 2012 introduced our readers to a girl named Kate Upton who few had heard of at the time. Yes, Kate was an avid APHA youth competitor who won World and Reserve World Championships during her youth career. However, in February of 2012 when she appeared on the cover of the very coveted Sports Illustrated Swim Suit issue, the world learned a lot more about the horse-crazy girl from Florida.
Since February, Kate has made quite a name for herself as a media darling appearing on high fashion magazine covers and on late night talk shows. She starred in a risque Carl’s Junior commercial, is rumored to be the star of Mercedes Benz’s upcoming Super Bowl commercial, and her name was the 4th most searched for term on Yahoo in 2012.
Click here to read the 10th most popular story on GoHorseShow.com in 2012.
