At the AQHA Select World this year, there was a noticeable trend of
repeat champions. Among those who repeated were Anne Wilson who won her
fourth straight championship in the showmanship; Vicki Shawver and her horse, Intoxicating, won his third straight gold trophy in the Aged Geldings; Annette Fowler won
back-to-back championships in the hunter hack as well as Kirsten Farris
and Christine Hocutt-Senteney defended their championships in the hunter
under saddle and horsemanship respectively. GoHorseShow sat down and interviewed
these five repeat World Champions about their feelings about winning again and if they are shooting to win another championship next year!
Anne Wilson and Visible Investment (pictured right)
Anne Wilson of Dallas, Texas and Visible Investment continued their winning streak in the showmanship with her unbelievable fourth consecutive gold trophy. Anne’s first win came in 2010 and said that last year she was inspired by the USA Women’s Gymnastic team’s three-peat. “This year, my husband cheered me on saying Bill Russell won eight NBA championships in a row. Nothing like a little pressure!,” Anne says laughing. “I was surprised when I won, but I was pleased with my pattern. I felt more pressure this year than prior years and I have never had such little sleep at a world show.”
Wilson says that she is definitely shooting for a fifth win in a row because number five is her favorite number and she always requests back number 555 at the shows. This is the eighth year of her showing “Dudley” and she says that, “He melts my heart when he nickers when I enter the barn!”
Christine Hocutt-Senteney and Bellieve Hes Blazing
Christine Hocutt-Senteney of Burbank, California said she was absolutely thrilled when she beat 50 other riders to win the horsemanship at the Select World for the second straight year. Senteney has a special bond with her home-bred gelding, Bellieve Hes Blazing (Blake). She raised Blake who was out of her beloved mare, Bell Of The Barn, who Christine says she showed successfully in the “previous century.”
GoHorseShow asked Christine if she was surprised to win again this year. “I think there is always some element of surprise when you win something like that. You can have a great go and maybe the judges see if differently or they see someone else they like better,” Christine states. “So I don’t know if surprise is the best way to describe the feeling. I was thrilled, elated, happy, and maybe even a little relieved. I think there is a lot of pressure coming back the next year after winning. Thankfully, I was able to put that pressure aside in time and just continue to prepare and go in the pen and do my best. I was really prepared this year. Having to go first in the finals really made me take the preparation serious.”
We asked her how this win compared to her win in 2012. “Last year was my first World Championship and I don’t think you can ever replace the feeling of your first one!” says Christine, who credits her trainer, Nancy Alto-Renfro with her success. “I had been Reserve World Champion in 2011, and, of course, had thought about trying to move up a spot in 2012. When that happened, and I won in 2012, it was the accomplishment of a lifetime goal and dream. Winning it in 2013 was just more icing on the cake.”
As far as shooting for a three-peat? “Oh gosh, I can’t even think that far ahead!’ says Christine laughing. “In the back of mind I sort of thought that maybe this year would be my last year to compete – I’m getting older, Blake is getting older – but I realize I do say that every year. Jill Newcomb once said in an interview that showing horses is addicting – and I wholeheartedly agree.”
Vicki Shawver and Intoxicating
Vicki Shawver of Onley, Illinois and her horse, Intoxicating (Toxi) won the Aged Geldings again this year–making it an impressive third year in a row for the seven year-old gelding. Vicki’s husband, Jack, won the class two years ago while Vicki has won it the past two years. Last November, Toxi also came away with the AQHA World Championship in the Open Aged Geldings.
“We keep our halter horses at home because we love to be a part of the preparation to get them ready for the show ring, but we also have five grand kids so they love to be around the horses,” says Vicki, who credits a lot of her success to halter trainer Buddy Laney. “Buddy is just wonderful to work with, and he has taken us under his wing. He understands that we want to keep our horses at home and he is still willing to help us. I’m not sure many trainers would be willing to do that…Buddy makes us feel comfortable and helps us despite our eccentric ways,” Vicki says laughing.
According to Shawver, Toxi seems to keep getting better every year. “He is so deserving of this recognition. He is such a beautiful horse and an easy keeper. I mean we are just nobodies, but we have had so much fun attending the shows and meeting new people.”
Vicki does say that she was surprised that she won the Aged Geldings again. “You are always hoping that you can do well again, but there is always new younger horses coming up into the aged division shooting to take your spot in the winner’s circle,” Vicki states. “We will probably try again next year as long as he holds up and continues to look and feel good. We don’t push him so that is probably why he has lasted so long and done so well. We also are taking Toxi and three other horses to the Open and Amateur World Show in November, so, hopefully, we will continue our momentum!”
Kirsten Farris and Lyles Al Lie
After winning in 2012, Kirsten Farris of Phoenix, Arizona was a bit unsure about what she wanted to do next. Earlier this year, Farris was at the Sun Circuit, and after the first day of showing, she asked her trainer, Deanna Searles if she thought she should show at the World Show again.
“Deanna had a very confused look on her face. She said to me, ‘Of course you are going back to Amarillo this year,’ and after that day, it was a goal of mine to go back and have good rides,” Farris told GoHorseShow. “I try to never set a goal that is not within my control – like winning a class–but I have to admit, I did tell Lyle that if we did well, he could have two-time World Champion next to his name.”
This year, Farris said she felt less confident going into the show than last year. “This year I did feel there was added pressure, and one day when I was out riding with Jim and Deanna, I mentioned that to Jim,” Farris recalls. “He said, ‘Why do you feel pressure? You’ve already won. Now you can go out and show for fun!’ That really helped re-frame the whole thing for me. Winning this year felt like a huge accomplishment because I had to overcome the pressure.”
As far as three peat? “Hey, if the Lakers can do it, why can’t I? Lyle only does one class at the moment, so if I don’t go for a three-peat, we would have to stay home. My parents and John (her significant other) like Amarillo so much, I would not want to tell them that we are not going back next year.”
Annette Fowler and Lets Get Started
Annette Fowler of Azle, Texas and her horse, Lets Get Started had an outstanding Select World this year. The duo defended their championship in the hunter hack and were also World Champions in the working hunter and equitation over fences, bringing home a total of three gold globes.
“It was truly amazing,” says Fowler about her success at the Select World. “I can’t even begin to explain the excitement that I have. I have woken up everyday since and that’s the first thing I think about. It’s an awesome feeling!”
We also asked her if she felt any pressure to defend her title. “I was very nervous on the day of the hack as I hadn’t been in the arena prior to the schooling for the hack which was right before the class. Now looking back at it, I believe the other reason I was so nervous was because I was trying to defend my title,” Annette recalls. “I tried not to think about defending my title and tried to focus on my ride.”
Fowler adds, “I just experienced a once-in-a-lifetime horse show. To go in and show in three classes and to win all three of them is beyond belief. I definitely did not expect it. Wanted it, but didn’t expect it. I felt that all of my rides couldn’t have been any better than what they were. I think that is what makes them even more special. I will always cherish those two days!”
Photos @ Impulse Photography and The American Quarter Horse Journal
