Amateur Hayley Saul of Des Arc, Arkansas has had an impressive AQHA World Show so far…and Amateur Week just started. Twenty-six year old Saul was the lone amateur to make it back to the finals of both the Junior Trail and Senior Trail at the 2015 AQHA World Championship Show.
“It was an honor to be in both finals with some of the best trainers and best horses in the country. With that being said, Trail is one of those classes that you can practice until the sun comes up and still go in the pen and have your horse hit every log or miss your spot, so many things can go wrong. I feel like it can be a pretty fair playing field and that’s why we all love it.”
Hayley and Putadrinkinmyhand (Dale) came away with the Reserve World Championship in Junior Trail with an impressive score of a 237. Last year was Hayley’s first year to show in an open class in Oklahoma City where she made the finals with the same horse and ended up eleventh. This duo definitely upped their game this year.
“I felt so good about my Junior Trail finals go. I didn’t however feel great about my warm-up right before I went in, but Dale went in the pen completely focused and I was thrilled with the whole pattern.”
The Saul family, who have been active with AQHA for decades, bought Putadrinkinmyhand when he was a three year-old. “He was my mom’s pleasure horse for about two years, and I started trail with him last year and he was a natural.”
In the Senior Trail, Hayley made the finals with home bred gelding, Eye On The Ball (Beans), and ended up a finalist with a score of a 224. (pictured right) “My Senior Trail finals go was a little louder, but Eye On The Ball hit all his spots and I was very proud of him as well. He is a special horse because we raised him and is actually the reason I started the trail in 2010.”
What is unique for an amateur today is Hayley primarily rides all of her horses herself. Haley is the first to give credit to others and says she has a lot of help and could never do it on her own.
“My dad is my number one go to. He’s the best at keeping a close eye on everything and telling me what I need to fix or change to get my horse better,” Hayley says. “If I need it, he’s always there to jump on and fix the problem. I couldn’t do any of this without my mom or dad. They have given me so much knowledge, confidence and a special kind of love for horses.”
Does this successful amateur have aspirations to become a professional?
“Going pro is not my plan, I love being an amateur,” Hayley states. “Right now, horses are my job but eventually I do plan on going back to work as a surgical technologist and maybe go to nursing school.”
Hayley adds,”God has really blessed me and my family. I don’t pray to win or for a great ride but I thank him every single day for these horses and the opportunities he’s given me. He knew I would need them.”
We congratulate her on her wins this past week and wish her luck in the amateur events!
Photos Courtesy of Saul Family and Shane Rux
