AQHA Rookie Emily Jo Starkey Peak never expected to be showing at the AQHA World Show in her first year showing at AQHA shows, but that is exactly were she has ended up. Even better is that Peak and her horse, Islehava Mocha Latte (Hayden, Roanie Pony) made the finals in the Amateur Ranch Horse Pleasure that will be held Thursday evening.
“My goal was to just stay on pattern and keep a leg on each side,” Peak told GoHorseShow. “My horse and I both deal with anxiety issues and I am learning to be brave for both of us so he can relax. I was just happy that he didn’t squeal like a girl during his lope departures, and he didn’t leap into the air for his lead change like he’s been known to do!”
The Alabama resident says that she loves showing in the Ranch Pleasure because it is a “reflection of the best working partnership ever.” Peak explains that she has always appreciated a horse with a handle on it that could be used in getting a job done and Emily believes that this class can demonstrate just that.
When we asked Emily if she thought she had a good ride, Peak laughs and says, “After I exited the pen, I was just glad it was over. I didn’t hear my score until my friend Sara told me. Honestly, I didn’t know if a 218.5 was good enough or not. I am a Rookie after all!”
So what made Emily decide to jump in and get qualified for the AQHA World Show?
“I didn’t choose the Amateur World. It chose me!” Peak says laughing. “My first AQHA show was the 2013 Dixie Nationals. We both were scared and didn’t do so well, but it was a great place to get exposed to pressure of a big class with four judges and photographer flashes. We continued to show with the North West Florida Quarter Horse Association where the people are amazing and the shows are smaller and less intimidating. We qualified early on in both the Amateur and Open.”
“It’s pretty amazing,” Peak says about showing at her first World Show. “I feel pretty comfortable being here in Oklahoma City because I know so many people from scribing at AQHA shows the past five years. I keep telling myself it’s just another horse show with better decorations.”
GoHorseShow congratulates Emily and Roanie Pony on making the finals and we wish her luck in the finals on Thursday!
