Select Amateur Mary White of Flower Mound, Texas was already excited about showing at the All American Quarter Horse Congress months ago. However, while examining the schedule before making entries, she realized that her Select Amateur Hunter Under Saddle and Select Amateur Equitation classes fell on her 50th birthday, Saturday, October 29. That made her wonder whether she could show in the Select Amateur classes at the Congress
This being her first Congress ever, Mary eagerly called AQHA and happily discovered they would allow her to show in the Select division on her graduation day from the Amateur ranks.
“For five years, I have been looking forward to being a Select,” says Mary, “I’ve had to work three times as hard to compete at the Amateur level. I take kickboxing, yoga, and CrossFit classes just to stay in shape to compete. I am fit.”
While the physical health benefits of the dedicated exercise benefit all parts of her life, White admits it is a challenge, “I’ve even had to take up running. I will have my first 5K race in Dallas.”
Saturday at the Congress, aboard Absolutely For Me, her ten-year-old gelding, the team had their first ride together at the Congress and her first ride as a Select Amateur. Although they did not place in their first class, the Select Amateur Hunter Under Saddle, their second class was much more successful. Mary received a fantastic birthday present with a Reserve Congress Championship in the Select Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation. Congratulations and happy birthday, Mary!
This duo is under the supervision of Knabenshue Show Horses. White bought him as a yearling and has a special relationship. “He really has become a grumpy old man, but he tries so hard in the show pen,” Mary smiles.
Mary and Absolutely For Me now head to Oklahoma City where they will show for the last time at the Amateur World Show. They will compete in Level 2 Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, Showmanship and Level 3 Performance Halter Geldings.
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