“Susie being younger and cuter usually wins!” Tobin, who rode RA Undisputed (Coco), told GoHorseShow right after her Reserve Congress Champion finish. “But, I will gladly be second to her anytime as she is the amateur I try to copy and ride like.”
Johns disagrees with her big sister’s comment about her always winning, “That is not true! My sister is taller, skinnier, older and wiser.”
“We both made the finals and then we were called out first and second to go in the working order for the finals,” Johns recalls, who was on her reliable, “Perfect Pony”, Heza Radical Zip (Troy). “It was neat to go after each other in the finals and then end up first and second.”
Tobin continues, “I was so excited with the second (finals) pattern because I could follow Susie’s steps in the dirt because they had just drug the arena and Susie went first, so only her footsteps were out there. So I followed them. It worked!”
Tobin and Johns, who ride under the longtime guidance of Jim and Deanna
Searles, told us that this is the first time they have been Champion and
Reserve Champion at a major show. They both credit their trainers, Jim and Deanna Searles and reliable mounts, Coco and Troy on their ongoing success.
“Coco makes horsemanship fun,” Tobin says. “He allows me to be able to think on how I sit and ride. He is wonderful and willingly does whatever I ask of him. He makes me look good.”
Johns agrees, “Troy always makes me look good. I never over school him because he will over think me. I do the pattern maneuvers in segments and never at the same time. He was very responsive last night and I was very happy with my ride.”
Johns says that she is grateful for the opportunity to still do what she loves. “I am blessed to still have my health and the ability to climb on my horse. This is my hobby and I think that is one of the reasons I continue to love it so much. I don’t get nervous at the shows and I just try to execute my patterns the best to my ability as the placings and what happens after are completely out of my control.”
Tobin adds, “I’d like to thank my husband, Jerry, for his love and encouragement and Susie and her son, Jeff, for inspiring me and helping me. Also a huge thank you goes to to Jim and Deanna for their endless hours of riding, coaching and patience. Plus, thank you to all my friends who cheered me on both here and through the live feed!” Way to go ladies!
Tobin and Johns still have several events to go including the Select western riding and trail and we wish them the best of luck!
