Hey everyone! My name is Chelsea E. Carlson, and I’m a trainer from Eugene, Oregon. This will be the third year that my program, Red’s Show Horses, will be bringing clients to The Level 1 West Championships. Last year, we came home with a Championship and Reserve, all Top 5 placings, and the Level 1 Youth Western All Around award. You never know what to expect when you come to this show, other than the fact you’re going to have a great time and make new friends along the way. With that said, I hope you enjoy the ride with me as exhibitors from all across the nation bring their best to Vegas!
#6 Picture of the Day–Sunday, October 4, 2015
On the final day of the show, while standing in line waiting for pictures, I struck up a conversation with Doreen Earl, from Bellingham,WA, and her wheelbarrow full of awards. It was apparent she had a great first L1 Championship with her gelding, Invited To A Party.
Bringing home a championship in the L1 Select Trail, Pleasure, Equitation; Reserve in the Horsemanship and Hunter Under Saddle, and an 8th in the Performance Halter Geldings. She also snatched the All Around in the L1 Select division. This was not only her first L1 Championship she attended, but also the first time she had shown her gelding in the Trail. What a show they had! Congratulations to Doreen and her trainers Mike and May Edwards on a great Championship show.
It was a long week in Vegas, but full of unexpected surprises and experiences. Congrats to all of the exhibitors and trainers on another successful and fun Novice Championship show. See you next year!
#5 Picture of the Day–Saturday, October 3, 2015
Level 1 Select Rider Kim Burrell Gutowski won her first belt buckle today aboard her four year-old gelding, Toucht. And what a win it was, taking home the gold trophy in the L1 Select Horsemanship out of a group of great riders. For Kim’s first time attending the L1 Championships, it has been a successful one, also earning a 4th in the Performance Halter Geldings and a 5th in the trail. Barn mate Joann Hall and her 17 year-old gelding, Lope Don’t Chute placed 3rd in the class as well. This was her first time attending Level 1 Championships also, and they were here just to show in this class. Both riders show under the guidance of Kelly McDowall. A big congrats goes to these ladies on their emotional placings today!
#4 Picture of the Day–Friday, October 2, 2015
My picture of the day features first time Level 1 Championship exhibitor Ashley Gardiner from Camloops, British Columbia. Ashley is showing her 13 year old gelding, Beyond Sensational here in the Rookie Youth Showmanship, Horsemanship, and Hunter Under Saddle. With this just being her second year showing AQHA and attending fewer  than 10 shows, Ashley told us that she came for the fun experience and to get a large award show under her belt.  New to riding with Larson Performance Horses of Arlington, WA, Ashley, who is in her last year of youth, told me that her future plans included becoming a stronger rider. She also looks forward to showing at more shows in the U.S because they are bigger.
#3 Picture of the Day–Thursday, October 1, 2015
A big congrats to Australian competitor Ruby Lang on her third place finish in the L1 Youth Performance Halter Mares this morning. Ruby showed, A Sudden Echo, who she leased from owner Diane Cantrell for her final year of youth. This was the mare’s first time showing in the event along with Ruby’s first time showing in it on U.S. soil.
Ruby trains with Sliss Show Horses of Gainesville, TX, and will be competing in the pleasure and horsemanship as well throughout the week. I asked Ruby why she wanted to travel all the way from Australia to compete in the United States.
“The industry is so much larger here, which in turn causes the competition to be much deeper,” Ruby told me. “I came to the U.S. to push myself and compete with the best of the best. I’ve been able to accomplish a lot of my own personal goals here with the help of Saul and Farley Sliss.”
We wish Ruby the best of luck the rest of the week in Vegas.
#2 Picture of the Day–Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015
They say the older they get, the better they get… that line seems to be true when it comes to Elsie Naruszewicz’s 24 year-old gelding, Made Me Intangible. I may be a little biased, as Elsie also hails from the Northwest, but it was great to see her win the 13 & Under Equitation today. While receiving her award, Elsie’s trainer Paige Stroud from Monroe, Washington told me the incredible story of how the two came to be a team. Good friend Doreen Long (Danielle Long’s mother) gave the gelding to Paige after he had colic surgery and he was not being used in their home state of Alaska. After realizing their potential together, Paige gave him to Elsie, and today, her little free horse helped her take home a gold trophy. It doesn’t get much better than that!
#1 Picture of the Day–Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015
Move in day in Las Vegas has finally come to a close, and practice for tomorrow’s English events are under way. Pictured is one of my students, Clare Swanson, and her gelding, Hes For Certain. They will be showing in the Rookie and Level 1 all around events.
This is Clare’s first time ever traveling out of the Pacific North West. The incredible thing about the love of horses and showing is the places it takes us. We are not just excited for the show to begin, but for the experiences and unforgettable memories we will make during this great week!
