Final Pictures of the Day, Saturday, August 12th
My last two pictures of the day feature two youth at their final AQHYA World Show – Deanna Green and myself. In the Reining, Deanna Green and Xtra Voodoo Creme were crowned World Champions with a score of a 219. Deanna is headed to Auburn University. What a great way to end your youth career.
The second picture is of me, my cowhorse, Saint Nic It, and Garrett Hershberger. I was very pleased with my last show as a youth, as I was fourth in the Boxing. I am very excited to be sharing this very special horse with the Hershbergers.
Here is to new beginnings and the end of a great career. Who knew 18 years could go by so quickly? Enjoy your childhood kids, and parents – enjoy your kids. Don’t be too eager to kick them out of the house. When the time comes, it is a lot harder than you thought it ever would be.
Thursday’s Picture of the Day, August 10th
My picture of the day features, Hayley Rae Riddle and No Doubt Im Somethin, who were named AQHYA World Champions in the Western Pleasure on Thursday afternoon. This gorgeous gelding is sired by No Doubt Im Lazy and owned by Erin Brack. This duo also won the L2 Championship in the Western Pleasure last night and was fourth in the Trail. Quite the team. I talked to Hayley about her horse and her ride this afternoon in the Level 3 class.
“His name is No Doubt Im Somethin aka Jackson, but I prefer to call him Michael Jackson because he’s a thriller,” Hayley says and laughs. ”He has a funny personality and loves any attention he can get. I show him in halter, horsemanship, pleasure, trail, hunt seat, and equitation. So, he’s a kind of busy horse but loves going to work and showing. My ride today went smooth, and he was the best he has been for me all year. I loved that I was able to show off the rail because he likes it that way. I’ve known Jackson since he was three years-old, so last year when the opportunity came to show him, I was so excited. However, I never would have ever thought all this would have happened!”
Congrats Hayley for a job well done.
Wednesday’s Picture of the Day, August 9th
Congratulations to our Trail World Champion, Natalia DeVencenty of Vineland, Colorado and Chex Is The Choice. This win is their first AQHYA World Championship. They had a gorgeous run and scored an unbelievable 233 to take home the golden globe.
The 17 year-old is currently a senior in high school and this is her fifth AQHYA World Show. Natalia and her horse, Chex, have been a team for the past three years. “He 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, 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.”
My picture of the day is Natalia and her mother hugging each other after her win. Hugs received after walking under the Gateway of Champions with a gold trophy are the best and mean so much. Thank you to all of the mothers and fathers out there who always believe in their children. We appreciate it!
Tuesday’s Picture of the Day, August 8th
Some pictures are worth a thousand words. I am so happy for this deserving team! After a 15 minute power outage in the Jim Norick Arena during the Horsemanship class, Olivia Tordoff and Sterling Version were the next team to compete and won the AQHYA World Championship in the Horsemanship on Tuesday. Congratulations to this amazing team and family. My heart goes out them. With the help of trainer Brent Tincher, I know how hard they have all worked for this and the road to the top is never an easy one. I talked to Olivia about her win after the class.
“I’m really proud of Sterling,” Olivia told me. “Last year, we didn’t get to show because he had colic surgery. We worked really hard to come back this year. He may be 21 years old but he showed that he’s still got it! Also, this was a very emotional win because my grandmother passed away about a week ago. It was a very difficult loss for us as she has always meant the world to our entire family. She loved Sterling and to win it for her was really special. Also, this is possibly Sterling’s last World Show ever so to go out with a bang was pretty fun.”
Congratulations to the entire Tordoff family!
Monday’s Picture of the Day, August 7th
In the Jim Norick Arena today, we had the Showmanship and Western Pleasure Prelims while the Ranch Riding Prelims were going on in Barn 6.
Pictured here is trainer Reid Thomas of Boerne, Texas and his youth client, Cameron Crenwelge and her horse, KM Boshotinvestment. This talented gelding is by RL Best Of Sudden. They are pictured after showing in the showmanship preliminaries today. I thought they looked beautiful today. Unfortunately, they didn’t make the finals but I have so much respect for her and her mother. They are great people! Cameron will be attending Texas A&M this Fall. She is a very talented showmen and besides showing horses, she also shows lambs. Hats off to her for being able to show different species of stock.
Congratulations and good luck to all of those who will be competing in the finals tomorrow.
Sunday’s Picture of the Day, August 6th
It was an exciting day in the trail pen today. Kacie Scharf and her horse, Always Clowninaround, made the Shoot Out and then was one of the five to top the Shoot Out to make the Finals. She had a fantastic score of a 231.5 in the Trail Shoot Out. Congratulations and good luck to all of our trail finalists.
Kacie and I are so excited to be going to Baylor University together. We are riding on the Equestrian team. Most of the girls riding on a collegiate team are going straight from the Youth World to school.
Our sympathies go out to those affected by the tornado in Tulsa as many people from the horse show world are there showing at the Paint Congress. The weather has been so odd here at the Youth World this year as it not nearly as hot as usual. What a change from what we are used to.
Saturday’s Picture of the Day, August 5th
Seventeen-year-old Kamiah McGrath won the Western Riding today with her trusty steed, They Call Me Jake with an impressive score of a 228. Congratulations to this sweet girl and her family. The work that she puts in every day is astounding, and it was a very well deserved win. She was pretty speechless when I talked to her, but I’m pretty sure that’s how we all feel.
The Youth World is a bustling place today. There are so many events coming up at the show and almost every discipline is here. I am excited to be doing a picture of the day from the show so stay tuned for more exciting images from Oklahoma City.
Sydney’s Intro
Hi y’all! First off, I want to wish you the best of luck here at the Youth World. Enjoy every moment and believe in yourself and your horse.
I’m Sydney Kay Scheckel from Richmond, Kansas. I am here showing a Reiner by the name of Triggr Fingr, and my Boxing horse, Saint Nic It. This is my first year exhibiting Triggr and my fourth year showing Nic.
In 2015, I won the Showmanship with my mare, A Perfect Pleasure. Pip and I are each other’s best friend. This big win was such a great life lesson for me. It taught me that hard work does pay off and that you have to believe in yourself; anything is possible. It was a huge accomplishment for my horse and I, but a bigger accomplishment for my family. I think the best part about the day was seeing the smiles and happy tears on my Mom and Dad’s faces.
This is my last Youth World, and my youth years went by so quickly, so as I said before – enjoy the ride.
