One year and 12 issues of GoMag ago, GoHorseShow celebrated the 100th issue of GoMag. This year, the September 2017 issue of GoMag marks another first in our 112-issue history as it is the first time that the APHA World Championship Show is being held during the month of September. Let’s not forget that September is also the month for the Breeders Halter Futurity in Des Moines, Iowa.
However, for many, the month of September is the month before the All-American Quarter Horse Congress. It’s the time when owners, exhibitors and trainers are putting the finishing touches on their Congress horses and finalizing their plans to be in Columbus, Ohio for most of the month of October. Wherever your plans take you this month, we wish you the very best of luck!
CLICK HERE to view the September 2017 issue of GoMag
About the Cover
The September cover of GoMag features the 2017 AQHYA World Horsemanship Champion, Sterling Version. The cover is a painting done by the talented artist, Joni Beinborn. At 21 years-old, Sterling and his longtime rider
, Olivia Tordoff ended their show career together on a high note with the golden globe in Horsemanship in Oklahoma City. Sterling is now retired and living the life of luxury at the Tordoff’s place, Wild Oats Farm, located in Delaware, Ohio.
When talking to Tordoff, it is clear that she and Sterling have the most incredible bond. “Sterling and I became a team in December of 2011. He was absolutely the best Christmas present I have ever received,” Olivia remembers. “My parents bought him from Dan Yeager who has been a huge supporter. Sterling and I have been inseparable since the minute I saw him.”
Olivia’s mother, Shari, adds, “We saw Dan at the NSBA World, and we all had tears in our eyes, and he said, ‘Sterling was meant to be with you.’ We will never forget that moment.”
Tordoff mentions that Sterling was one of those horses that had the ‘it factor.’ Besides this year’s win at the Youth World, Olivia notes that her other favorite win was at the 2012 All American Quarter Horse Congress in the Novice 13 & Under Horsemanship. (pictured right)
“Last year, he fought so hard to come back strong after his colic surgery. If he didn’t give up after all that, I was not about to either.”
Two weeks before the 2017 AQHYA World Show, Olivia’s grandmother passed away. “I have always used the #11 with Sterling, and one of my last conversations with my grandmother was telling her that my draw in the first go with Sterling was #11 and our back number was 1173.”
The 16-year-old reminisces, “Ending Sterling’s career with a win is a dream come true and to win in our favorite class was spectacular. Sterling has given me everything and I wanted nothing more than for him to end his career with ‘World Champion’ next to his name. I’d like to thank every single person who ever cheered for us, supported us, and maybe even shed a tear for us. We did it. We really did it.”
Watch for Olivia and Too Blazin Cool and her new horse, Lookin Lazy, at the Congress under the guidance of Brent Tincher.
CLICK HERE to view the September 2017 issue of GoMag
The deadline for the Congress issue of GoMag is Thursday, September 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 fit your needs and budget perfectly.
