“Elvis” was definitely in the building this weekend at the Congress. Okay, so it wasn’t the real Elvis Presley, but close to it when it comes to horse show royalty. The Vital Invitation, affectionately known as Elvis, and his owner and rider, Kathryn deVries were crowned Congress NSBA Champions and Reserve
Congress Champions in Novice Amateur Western Riding on Friday. They
also ended up fifth in a tough Amateur Western Riding on Saturday with a
cumulative score of a 227.5.
The Vital Invitation is by the All-Time AQHA Leading Sire, Invitation Only and out of legendary mare, Vital Signs Are Good. He is a spitting image of his mother, and much like her, shows with a
gorgeous top line that never moves.
“He makes it look so effortless just
like his mother,” Kathryn, who lives in Vacaville, California told GoHorseShow at the Congress. Kathryn, who has an eight month old daughter, is also five months pregnant. “He is so easy to ride and a really sweet horse. I needed one that was uncomplicated and he fit the bill.”
Trainer, Kellie Hinely of Trendsetter Performance Horses agrees, “Elvis shows way better than he warms up
and he has such an exquisite look with an amazing profile and self
carriage.”
The eight year-old gelding, who loves to lick everything and eat Rice
Krispy treats gets away with quite a bit. “He loves to chew on
everything and we let him get away with it but he is also very sensitive
and his feelings are easily hurt. The nicer you are to him, the nicer
he is to you.”
Elvis has earned many treats and attention at this year’s Congress.
Earlier in the show, Kellie Hinely placed 10th in Senior Western
Riding on Elvis and she also placed 6th out of 168 in Senior Trail
with Kathryn’s other horse, Zippos Ultra Gold.
At last year’s Congress, Kathryn was pregnant and was also looking for a new horse. That’s when she tried out Elvis. After one lap, she knew she had to buy him. At the time, Leonard Berryhill had him for owner, Robin Otto. Kathryn quickly bought the horse, changed the registration into her name, and showed him in the Novice Amateur Western Riding after only riding him three times. The new pair placed ninth.
Wind forward to this year’s Congress…Kathryn admittedly started off a little rocky in the trail classes but turned it on just in time for the western riding. “I was not focused for some reason in the trail, and I just needed to relax and regroup,” she said.
And regroup she did.
Kathryn plans to show Elvis in the trail, western riding, horsemanship, and showmanship next year. The duo is currently leading the nation and NSBA in Novice Amateur Western Riding and they look forward to showing Elvis at the AQHA World Show in the western riding events coming up in November.
Click here to view their ad in the October issue of GoMag
