For many young horse show competitors, the month of July begins the official countdown to the AQHYA World Championship Show in Oklahoma City. Whether it’s their first trip through the Gateway of Champions, or if they are a Youth World veteran like Natalia Devencenty who is featured on the cover of this issue, showing at the AQHYA World Championship Show it is an experience that these girls and boys will never forget.
The July issue of GoMag features many AQHYA World Championship Show competitors from all over the country and we wish each of them the very best of luck.
CLICK HERE to view the July AQHYA World Show Issue of GoMag
On the Cover
GoHorseShow is excited to feature Natalia Devencenty of Vineland, Colorado on the July cover of GoMag. The 17 year-old is currently a senior in high school and will be competing at her fifth AQHYA World Show.
Natalia and her main horse, Chex Is The Choice (Chex), have been a team for the past three years and will be showing in Oklahoma City in the horsemanship, western riding, trail and equitation. “The Youth World is my favorite show of the year,” Natalia told us. “I love the intensity of it, and I love being able to compete against the best of the best. My goal for the Youth World this year is to not worry about the things that are out of my control.”
Her favorite wins with Chex so far have been placing third in the horsemanship at the 2015 Youth World and third in the western riding at the 2016 Youth World (pictured right). “Both of those wins were very unexpected and exciting!” she says.
“Chex has been my one-in-a-million, and he is definitely my best friend. He rises to the occasion, but he has also taught me the most when rides don’t go quite right,” Natalia reflects. “He has his funny little quirks that are always making us laugh. He loves to go to the shows and be part of the action. Chex holds my heart, and I couldn’t ask for a better show partner.”
Natalia has coined the fun hashtag #meandmybays and it is very fitting as her love for bay horses is apparent when looking her other two horses. In addition to Chex, she is also excited to compete at the AQHYA World Show with her mother’s bay gelding, Sure Am Hot (Waylon) in the western pleasure and western riding. “I’ve never shown a pleasure horse before so he has been really fun for me,” Natalia told us. She also has her bay mare, Hot Lady Born Lopin who she has shown successfully this year in trail and western riding.
Natalia, who has committed to riding for TCU’s equestrian tream in the fall, has been under the guidance of trainer, Kelly McDowall of for the past five years. “Kelly has taught me everything I know about the western world and has also managed to sneak in a few life lessons along the way,” says Natalia, who first started riding on the USEF circuit at the age of five. “He has played an important part in making me the rider and the person I am today.”
Natalia and GoHorseShow would like to wish good luck to all exhibitors at this year’s AQHYA World Show.
Photos © Kirstie Marie Photography and EB Combs.
CLICK HERE to view the July AQHYA World Show Issue of GoMag
The deadline for the August NSBA and Select World issue of GoMag is Friday, July 28th. We encourage you to call or text Suzannah Fuhrman, GoHorseShow’s Co-founder and VP of Sales at 214-449-8716 for more information or email her at [email protected]. She will be happy to answer any of your questions and can help design an advertising package to perfectly fit your needs and budget.
