It’s day five of the Level One Championships here in Las Vegas. Today’s picture of the day is Sarah Finkel and her horse, So So Good, aka Taco.
Sarah is from Walnut Creek, California and trains under the guidance of Busick Show Horses. Sarah and Taco just won the L1 14-18 Youth Trail here at the Level One Championships.
This is Sarah’s fifth year showing here, and she loves coming to this show. She has been reserve in many different classes but has never placed first until today. That makes this win special.
Sarah has also just committed to ride on the University of Georgia’s equestrian team.
I want to congratulate Sarah on her win as well as wish her luck as a NCEA rider with the University of Georgia.
Friday, April 21, 2017 – Picture #4
It’s day four of the Level One Championships here in Vegas. Today’s picture of the day is of three great friends who have been showing together for a few years.
Rachael Norby is from Bend, Oregon and shows her horse, Lopin In The Straw, aka Cooper. Lena Berry is from Albany, Oregon and shows her horse, Red Hot Options, aka Arnold. Crysta Lombardi is from Issaquah, Washington and shows her horse, A Natural Dancer, aka Riley.
Rachael and Lena show under the guidance of Sarah Raschein, and Crysta shows under the guidance of Kristy McCann. These three ladies all made the finals in the Level One Hunt Seat Equitation with Rachael placing third, Crysta placing fifth, and Lena was a finalist.
They said it was special for all three of them to be in the placings together since they are such great friends. It really shows how friendship shines inside and outside of the arena.
Good luck the rest of the week ladies!
Thursday, April 20, 2017 – Picture #3
It’s day three of the Level 1 West Championships here in Las Vegas. There was a full slate of hunter and ranch riding classes all day. Today, I caught up with Amateur, Rachael Macdonald, from Corvallis, Oregon. Rachel shows her horse, Roan Of San Atone, also known as Houston.
Rachael said her favorite class to show Houston in is reining. She is under the guidance of Chrissa Westbrooks. Rachael and Houston have only been a team for two years, and this is their first year showing at the Level One Championships.
Houston is a special horse because Rachael got him as a four-year-old that was hardly broke and scared of everything. She did most of the work herself, especially at the beginning. He is now six-years-old. Their hard work is starting to pay off. This duo placed 9th in the Level 1 Amateur Ranch Riding finals today, and they look forward to competing in the reining tomorrow.
I want to wish Rachael and Houston good luck in the rest of their classes this week!
Wednesday, April 19, 2017 – Picture #2
It’s day two of the Level 1 West Championships here in Las Vegas and the first day of showing. Today, I caught up with Claira Bingaman from La Grande, Oregon. Claira shows her horse, A Blazen Asset, also known as Lagacy.
Claira said her favorite class to show Lagacy in is showmanship, and that paid off today with her winning the L1 13&U Showmanship as well as the L1 Youth Performance Halter Mares. To top it off, she was reserve champion in the Champion of Champions Halter class.
Claira is under the guidance of Sarah Diamond. This win was special to Claira because, “Jesus has been a big part of my life, and if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have had Lagacy. We have been working hard to get here.”
Claira and Lagacy have only been a team since September of last year and this is Claira’s first year showing here at the Level One Championships.
I also had a chance to catch up with Claira’s mom, Jeana, to see what she had to say about her daughter’s fantastic day.
“Claira has shown great dedication. We would also like to thank Sarah and Judi Fairfield for all their help making this team possible. We are also so thankful for the support of all of our friends and family as well as all the people in AQHA.”
I would like to wish Claira and Lagacy continued luck through the rest of the week in their other all around events.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017 – Picture #1 – INTRO
Hi, Everyone! This is Katie Schols from Bow, Washington reporting to you from the AQHA Level 1 West Championships in Las Vegas. It’s my third year showing here, and I’m excited to see all the old and new faces around the barns. This week, I will be showing my bay gelding, EveryBodyLuvsKrymsun (Raymond), in the youth all around events under the supervision of Kip Larson and Michael Davis. I hope everyone has fabulous rides and a very good time. Good Luck!
