Hi! I am Sarah Elder Chabot from Maryville, Tennessee. I am a working amateur and excited to take a few days off work (if that really happens) to show my hunter horse, A Well Dressed Man at the AQHA World Championships in Oklahoma City. “Calvin” and I are returning to the show after a year off.
In 2013, Calvin took home a world championship with Jessica Johnson, and we pulled off a few top tens in the amateur classes. This year, my trainer, Karen Evans Mundy is guiding me through the amateur hunter events and the Senior Hunter Hack. Tagging along are my two spunky Irish Jack Russells and my ever supportive husband, Andy.
The World Show is one of my favorite events of the year, and I cannot wait to show you around! I will be taking a picture of the day for the first part of the show. Make sure to check back each day to find out what I picked for my picture of the day!
POTD#9 – Friday, November 13th, 2015
My last picture of the day features a very talented family — Jim, Deanna, and Taylor Searles of Scottsdale, Arizona. They all made the finals of the Senior Western Riding. Jim and Deanna’s daughter, Taylor and her mount, Al Be Sweet On You by Allocate Your Assets was also Reserve Champions in the Level 2 Senior Western Riding. The duo scored an impressive 229.5 and is sitting seventh going into the Level 3 finals. On a fun side note, she also beat her father in the prelims by half a point.
Taylor says that one of her goals was to make the finals at the Open AQHA World Show and she did just that in impressive fashion. Taylor says that, “Sonny was a good boy and I was very happy with him but as everyone knows, there’s always room for improvement. I was very excited to make the finals with my mom and dad as well as all the other trainers that I respect and have admired as I’ve grown up.”
Well folks that’s a wrap for me. I head home today. What a World Show! Every year at this show, I am reminded of the great versatility and quality of the American Quarter Horse, and this year was no different. From Working Cow Horse to Pleasure Driving, there is really nothing this breed cannot do. The soul and spirit of these horses are just as special as the people. Walking down the aisle of the barns, you hear stories of families showing together, riders from far off places, horses with comeback stories and simply folks that love their horses. I cannot wait to come back next year for the greatest quarter horse show in the world.
Stay tuned for Jenna Dempze’s Picture of the Day that will start on Saturday through the end of the show!
POTD #8 – Thursday, November 12th, 2015
I know there are a lot of women in my pictures of the day, but to be honest with you… I relate to them and they inspire me. I watched Beth Case of Highpoint Performance Horses win the Senior Hunter Under Saddle on Thursday evening on Willy Has Potential for owner Shelby Ratliff and also the Jr Hunter Under Saddle under all five judges last night with Not Just AnyHOO, owned by Rebekah Kazakevicius.
Ten years ago, Beth Case won her first World Championship for Shelby Ratliff in the Senior Hunter Saddle with DontYaJustLoveIt, and Rebekah’s former horse, Cool Assets, won the Junior Hunter Under Saddle ten years ago. Pretty cool the way sometimes everything seems to fall into place.
Last night, Beth’s husband, Kevin, came to watch her winning ride, but they have even more to celebrate as they just found out that they are expecting a little boy! This is the first child for the couple. In this very physical profession/hobby, it’s hard to think about giving up the time in the saddle for those of us that are so dedicated, but Beth just showed us you can do it all. Thank you Beth for being a great competitor, a beautiful rider and an inspiration.
POTD #7 – Wednesday, November 11th, 2015
Today was a day I will never forget. After seven trips to the AQHA World Show and a lifetime of showing, I finally reached my goal of winning an AQHA World Championship. So forgive me if I was a bit wrapped up in the moment and the day in general… not to mention a bit zombie-eyed from the late night schoolings. What I loved most about today was seeing goals met by a lot of folks. As my friend, Julie Cole, and I were in the arena waiting for the results, we both shared that we had never been in this place before. We talked about how special it was to have the ride you always wanted in the arena that you had always dreamed about.
POTD #6 – Tuesday, November 10th, 2015
Wow what a long day! But well worth it to see some major girl power in the Level 2 Western Pleasure. Four women topped the tough class of horses, and two mares took first and second. Shannon Curl of Jonesboro, Arkansas came out of the pen carrying the gold trophy on her brown mare, Impulse Of Hope. Beckey Schooler rode, Im Sleepin Single, to a second place finish. Coming in third was Tonya Brown on Moonlit Hotrodder and Nancy Renfro rode Blazing Moonlight to the fourth place finish. Way to go ladies!
POTD #5 – Monday, November 9th, 2015
AQHA Professional Horsewoman Paula Pray of Louisburg, Kansas put on a different hat at the AQHA World Show this year! Earlier this week, we saw her galloping around the Hunter courses, but yesterday, she was an inspiration to all of us and rode her horse, Pocket, in the Senior Working Cow Horse. Even though she is a professional trainer, this was way outside of her wheelhouse. It is so inspiring seeing the professionals we look up to put themselves in unfamiliar territory and try their best. Hats off to you Paula for showing the world what a true hand really is. Paula said, “Even though I showed Level 2, it was super intimidating being the only one in the class who doesn’t do this class for a living or as a primary event.” Also on an interesting side note, the shirt she wore in the working cow horse also had some sentiment attached to it since Debbie Hodde incorporated fabric from a shirt from the late, great, Ann Call. Way to go Paula!
POTD #4 – Sunday, November 8th, 2015
I have admired German native Jadasa “Dasi” Jablonowski’s ad design work for a while now. Then, after hearing she made the finals of the Level 3 Junior Hunter Under Saddle, I had to track her down and meet her in person. What a delight! One thing I love about the AQHA World Show is seeing and meeting competitors for literally all over the world. I cannot wait to watch Dasi show Hesa Hot Hubba by Hubba Hubba Huntin in the finals on Wednesday. Dasi would like to thank Beth Case, Charlie Cole, and Jason Martin of Highpoint Performances Horses and the Porter Family for the opportunity to ride at the AQHA World Show. Good Luck Dasi!
POTD #3 – Saturday, November 7th, 2015
Here it is folks, “The Gateway of Champions” – the sign leading down into the Jim Norick arena where AQHA World Champions are crowned. Today, several prelims determined those top 15 horses that will be traveling down the gateway in hopes of snagging some prize money, hardware and most of all fulfilling dreams. Senior Western Pleasure, Jr Hunter Under Saddle, Senior Hunter Hack and Jr Western Riding all competed today to narrow the field down to 15. As the first world champions were named in cutting, and the prelims are underway, it really feels like the AQHA World Championships is underway!
POTD #2 – Friday, November 6th, 2015
So exciting to see the first Level 2 Champion named in the Junior Working Hunter, The Fire Escape owned by Lauren Rodberg and ridden by Dave Miller. He shows again tomorrow in the Junior Hunter Under Saddle Prelims with Scott Jones. The Level Two prizes and the winning moments are great, and it offers more opportunity for folks to show!
POTD #1 – Thursday, November 5th, 2015
After driving through a thunderstorm, dense fog, bright sun and 14 hours of road snacks and coffee, we finally arrived at the 2015 AQHA World Championship Show! As we pulled in, I couldn’t help but think of everyone’s journey to get to the top show of our sport. The long hours, sweaty hat bands, missed patterns mixed with the victorious rides, blue ribbons and moments with friends make for a long and wondrous journey. So don’t mind me if I am a little sappy in the beginning… We’ve all worked hard to get here and it feels good.
