When someone begins a new journey with a green horse, you never really know what to expect. It is easy to envision the future lined with Congress and World Championships, but having a young horse is a gamble, and many times those dreams never come to fruition.
Yet, sometimes the stars align and everything falls into place. Some horses just seem to have that special something that leads them to the winner’s circle. Five year-old, Invested In Cowboys, is one of those horses that has already met and exceeded expectations on a grand scale.
Affectionately known as “Mudflap”, the pretty gelding was the 2014 AQHA Reserve World Champion in the Open Performance Halter Geldings with Gretchen Mathes while also becoming a recent NSBA World Champion in the Junior Trail.
“It really was a once-in-a-lifetime go,” says Spagnola about his win at this year’s NSBA World Show beating out 57 others in a tough trail class. The duo had three firsts. “He is a real show horse that loves to show, great minded, and very easy to train. He always gives his all. I was worried about some of the tough parts in the course, but it all came together.”
Owner Lisa Mazurks (pictured right with Gene) adds, “Gene works so hard, and I have a close relationship with both Gene and Gretchen – they are like family. It was special to see him have a moment in the spotlight. They always care about what’s best for the horse, and I couldn’t imagine ever training with anyone else.”
Mazurka also placed in the Top 10 of the Amateur Trail at the NSBA World Show. “I have only been showing the horse for eight months,” Lisa reveals. “He is such a joy to be around and show. He loves his job and it was so evident at the NSBA World Show–a big show like that and the high level of preparation and practice didn’t seem to phase him at all.”
Also at the NSBA World Show, Invested in Cowboys placed seventh in the Junior Western Riding with Jeff Mellott aboard. The talented gelding is currently leading the nation in AQHA Junior Green Western Riding and is top-10 in the nation in Level 3 Junior Western Riding and Junior Trail. Success at the Redbud Spectacular and Big A have earned him Reserve Open High Point award titles at these prestigious shows.
Grethen Mathes says that it is a privilege to work with someone like Lisa. “She is a great lady with an amazing attitude that listens to her trainers. We are proceeding carefully with adding new classes and events because he is still young, but he is great minded and nothing has seemed to bother him so far. He is also complete ‘eye candy’ which doesn’t hurt either. Our future plans are to fine tune his abilities in the showmanship, horsemanship, and western riding with Lisa and just get him better in all of his events.”
Gene adds, “Lisa is one of the most ambitious and hardworking people I have ever met. She has been with us for a decade, and it is has been a pleasure seeing her progress and become competitive on a national level.”
Mazurka and Invested In Cowboys are also qualified for the AQHA World Show in the Level 3 Horsemanship, Trail, and Performance Halter Geldings, but their next stop is Congress. Look out for this new team in the amateur events as well as Gene Spagnola in the trail, Jeff Mellott in the western riding, and Gretchen Mathes in the performance halter geldings at the Congress and World.
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