Hello everyone! Unfortunately, this is my last Redbud Report, as I’m done showing and am heading back home. However, the show is far from over; the remainder of this week will be filled with over fences classes, reining, trail, western riding, and showmanship.
Today’s events consisted of trail, pleasure driving, western pleasure, horsemanship, hunter under saddle, and hunt seat equitation. The day was also full of circuit award announcements as these events wrapped up for the show. A huge thank you is owed to the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association and the Redbud Spectacular management for the amazing prizes.
I caught up with the Level 2 circuit award winner of the Youth 14-18 Hunt Seat Equitation, Alysia Nielson and BMQ The Jig Is Up, aka “Ziggy.” I asked Alysia how her show has been, and she replied, “Great! This show is absolutely amazing, and we’ve had a great time showing here.”
Thank you to Jackie Krshka, Don Moore, and everyone at OQHAÂ for putting on such a great, world-class horse show. Thank you also to the amazing staff at GoHorseShow for letting me take the helm this week.
Best of luck to all exhibitors for the rest of the Redbud Spectacular.
Redbud Report 5 – Monday, June 5th
Today’s events consisted of showmanship, western riding, and over fences classes. Once again, each class was deep, as competitors from all over the country travel to compete in one of the largest AQHA shows of the year.
Many exhibitors, especially youth, use the Redbud to prepare their horse in the same facility and energetic atmosphere as the AQHA and AQHYA World Shows.
I caught up with AQHA Professional Horseman, Leslie Lange, about her stallion, The Immortal, aka “T.I.” T.I. won the circuit in the Open Ranch Riding.
“He’s a good boy,” Leslie told me. The Immortal also finished in the top ten out of 47 in the Senior Western Riding. Personally, I enjoy keeping up with The Immortal’s achievements, as he sired my six year-old gelding, Immortalised, aka “Stretch.” (both pictured left)
Tomorrow will be a very busy day of trail, pleasure driving, western pleasure, horsemanship, hunter under saddle, and hunt seat equitation.
Stay tuned and best of luck to these world class exhibitors and horses!
Redbud Report 4 – Sunday, June 4th
Today was a full day of halter, pleasure driving, western pleasure, horsemanship, hunter under saddle, and equitation. The day began with a strong set of pleasure drivers with five in both the Amateur and Senior Pleasure Driving. It was a thrill to watch.
Winning the Amateur Pleasure Driving was Scott Reinartz and Invest in a Goodbar, and winning the Senior Pleasure Driving was Jerry Erickson and A Chance For Romance, the 2016 Senior Pleasure Driving World Champion.
“Hank is an eight year-old gelding who does the all around classes,” Reinartz told me shortly after his win in the driving. “He will do anything you ask of him with rarely any complaints. My previous trainer, Mark Stevens always said, ‘He has a heart of gold.’
My current trainer, Bruce Vickery, says ‘Hank will just do it.’ I love the driving, it gives me a little rush to just be pulled across the sand on two wheels by such a powerful animal. There is so much trust and control you need to be a great team in this event. The outfits are fun too.”
I also asked Jerry Erickson why he whistles when he shows. “It helps to calm my nerves and focus on showing my horse.” Jerry also said that his Redbud Spectacular is just beginning, as the over fences events begin tomorrow. (pictured above left after his driving win)
Today also wrapped up the halter for the Redbud. A highlight of the halter events was Luke Castle and the 2010 gelding, A Secret Addiction winning the Champion of Champions. (pictured right)
Another highlight of the day was the incredibly competitive Amateur Horsemanship, with 38 entries shown. Winning under two cards was Johnna Letchworth-Clark and Krymsun Kryptonite.
“His nickname is Clark, and he is five years-old,” Johnna told me after her class (pictured left). “This is his second horse show doing the all around classes. I am very happy with him. He has a heart of gold and loves to work. He can be a little goofy, but for the most part, he is the most loving horse I’ve ever had. My pattern yesterday was really good. There were not a ton of maneuvers, and, sometimes, I think that can be more difficult. Clark has really stepped up to the plate, and I feel so very fortunate to have him.”
Tomorrow morning will begin with showmanship, over fences classes, and western riding. Best of luck to all competitors at this world class show.
Redbud Report 3 – Saturday, June 3rd
Today was trail day here at the Redbud Spectacular, and an impressive day of performance by many of the nation’s top trail riders and horses.
There were a total of 295 trail runs today, with a tough 66 entries in the Senior Trail. I asked Gene Spagnola of Powder Brook Farm (pictured right with Johnna Clark) about his rides in trail. “The trail course today was very challenging. Tim Kimura did an excellent job of designing and managing the course. It makes us all better riders to ride courses like that.”
A highlight of the day was Whitney Lagace’s unanimous win in the Level 3 Senior Trail on Hot Rockin Potential (Sonny), owned by Libby Rinder from Connecticut.
“The ride yesterday was totally enjoyable,” Lagace told me about her ride on Sonny. 
“It was one of those rides were Sonny and I were totally in sync. Tim made that course tight and high and that’s when Sonny flourishes. Sonny is truly one-of-a-kind. I love and respect that horse.”
Sonny’s owner, Libby Rinder, shared some fond thoughts about her AQHA World Champion Trail partner. “I’d say what is great about Sonny is that he really loves his job and enjoys going out and showing. He really gives his all when you step in the pen. Sonny loves his peppermints, and our show routine is that I put his bridle on and then I give him a mint before we walk down to the pen,” Rinder shares (pictured left on Sonny). “He will usually just suck on the mint while we walk. Sometimes, I’ll hear him crunch it after we show, so he’ll suck on it just like a person.”
Rinder adds, “He’s an extremely kind horse and super mellow which makes him really easy to be around and great to work with. He knows that the better he is the less work he has to do.”
Today was also the last day of the roping events, which boasted eight and nine point classes throughout the weekend. I caught up with a future competitor in the roping events, Levi Littlefield, 6 (pictured right), who was practicing by roping his little sister.
A huge thank you is owed to the sponsors of this evening’s progressive dinner party, a staple at the Redbud Spectacular.
Tomorrow begins with the halter, western pleasure, horsemanship, hunter under saddle, and equitation. Best of luck to all of the competitors!
Redbud Report 2 – Friday, June 2nd
Today marked the second day of showing at the Redbud, beginning with halter, showmanship, western riding, ranch riding, roping, and speed events.
The western riding classes were an absolute pleasure to watch, boasting tough competition and large numbers. The Amateur Western Riding was split between Darcy Reeve with Ima Petite Classic, and Kara Vickery with Strawberri Wine. Kara Vickery and her horse, Strawberri Wine have been partners for the past four years.
“This was my first time to show Strawberri in western riding. Since January since I’ve been in college, and she’s been getting bred. When we got in the arena, she was so calm and just ready to do her job,” Kara told me (pictured left). “She tries really hard and always wants to please you. I love showing her because we get along so well. Our personalities really mesh together and she’s always so willing to do whatever is asked of her.”
The Redbud Spectacular was Reeve’s first show since the AQHA World Show in November with Ima Petite Classic, aka “Kramer.”
“I haven’t shown him since the AQHA World Show, so it was so fun getting him back in the pen. I was a little nervous since it’s been so long, but he is just so comfortable with his job. I know him so well; it felt like home,” Darcy Reeve told me after her western riding class. “Every step is controlled and he is so familiar with his job that it takes very little prep any more. I love his feel, so it was easy to get back on and in sync after so many months.”
Good luck to all the exhibitors, and big thanks to the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association for putting on a great horse show!
Redbud Report 1-Â Thursday, June 1st
Today began the first day of showing at the Redbud Spectacular in Oklahoma City. The morning started with pleasure driving, western pleasure, horsemanship, hunter under saddle, equitation, speed events, and roping. The roping classes were sizable, boasting eight-point classes in the dally team roping heading and heeling.
One highlight from the day was Elizabeth Forney’s unanimous win in the Level 3 Youth Horsemanship 14-18. Elizabeth has shown her horse, One Hot Big Leaguer, aka “Dodger,” for a year and a half (pictured right). Elizabeth will join the Baylor University Equestrian team this fall.
“My horse, Dodger, gave me a great go! This is only his second year doing the horsemanship, but he loves the class and tries very hard,” Elizabeth told me. “The pattern had a lot of fast to slow transitions which is a big strength of ours, so we really went for it. Dodger has been such a blessing, and it’s definitely a great way to kick off the summer season.”
In second place unanimously out of 31 shown in the class was Giorgia Medows and OK Pulse Me.
Tomorrow morning will begin with halter, showmanship, western riding, ranch riding, roping, and speed events. I’d like to wish everyone the best of luck!
Stay tuned to read more of the inside scoop from one of the top shows of the year.
Intro from Laska Anderson
Hi everyone! I’m Laska Anderson, and I am extremely honored to be reporting from the Redbud Spectacular for GoHorseShow. I will be showing in the youth all around events with my horse, Immortalised, and I am currently a member of the TCU Equestrian Team. I am the proud daughter of AQHA Judge, Sissy Anderson and my father, Wallace Anderson also grew up in the horse industry.
Spirits are high here in Oklahoma City, as exhibitors from all over the country have hauled in for the show. It has been a pleasure to watch the host of colorful and creative stall setups spring up throughout the past few days.
Read my first report from Oklahoma City and stay tuned for more reports throughout the show.
