Reflecting back on the year through our top 10 most popular stories has been an annual tradition at GoHorseShow since we launched over 12 years ago. Every year, as we look back, we almost have to pinch ourselves at what an unbelievable group of loyal readers and advertisers we have who make it all possible. Although 2020 brought us all a lot of craziness, apparently nothing can deter the loyalty of the horse industry.
For the 12th year in a row, GoHorseShow was there to capture all the highs and lows, all the smiles and tears, all the ups and downs, and everything in between. We know we could never do any of it without you. As we look back on 2020, we hope we have delivered a reader experience unparalleled by any other in our industry. We know our readers and advertisers have provided us with unparalleled support and for that, we thank you.
Here’s to 2021 being the best year yet, or at least a little better than 2020, but until then, from now until January 1, we will reveal the top 10 stories for the year 2020.
Number 1
2020 All American Quarter Horse Congress Has Been Cancelled
Published on July 27, 2020
Written by OQHA and GoHorseShow
The one. The only. The best there ever was. The Congress.
When the greatest show on earth, at least for horse show enthusiasts, announced it was cancelled, well, in our industry, the world might as well have come to an end. Congress titles weren’t claimed, Congress memories didn’t happen, Congress win pic selfies weren’t posted, Congress fairground food wasn’t eaten, Congress trophies weren’t taken home…none of the Congress feels were felt. Kind of depressing when you think about it in those terms.
However, as they say, “absence makes the heart grow fonder” so, as sad as it is to report that this was the number 1 story of the year, we can’t help but look at the positive. That being, next year’s (or should we say this year’s) Congress is bound to be better than ever. And all of us, every one, cannot wait for the 2021 Congress to be the best Congress yet.
Here’s to, not the number 1 story of the year on GoHorseShow, but to what it represents for the horse show world going forward!!!
CLICK HERE to read the #1 most popular story of the year on GoHorseShow.
Number 1 Video
2020 AQHA World Show Sights & Sounds
Published on November 23, 2020
Video by Danielle Long | Attention to Detail Designs for GoHorseShow
When this year’s AQHA World Show was held amid the craziness of everything else that was 2020, to say it was ‘one for the ages’ would be an understatement. Through the hard work and relentless efforts of multiple AQHA employees and volunteers, this year’s show was able to go on, despite so many challenges. Plus, due to earlier cancelations of other events, this year’s unique World Show also included the AQHA Select World and Level 1 Championship Shows, all rolled into one event. GoHorseShow videographer Danielle Long was able to brilliantly capture many amazing sights and sounds from this unprecedented event, and it’s no wonder the end-result was something many exhibitors will never forget and enough to make it our number 1 video of the year.
CLICK HERE to read the #1 most popular video from GoHorseShow.
Number 1 Social Media Post
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Published on December 5, 2020
Photos by Kirstie Marie and Danielle Long for GoHorseShow
As our world continues to get more and more digital, this year, we decided to honor our top social media post of the year, and it was really no contest. When one of our photographers caught the outstanding mare, Blazingmytroublesaway yawning after winning at the 2016 AQHYA World Show, then over 4 years later, a different photographer caught her daughter, Beez In The Trap doing the same after winning at the 2020 AQHA World Show, the resemblance was just too uncanny not to share. Both mares are owned by Deanna Green and family and their likeness (and cuteness), even all those years apart, were enough to capture the #1 social media post of the year.
CLICK HERE to read the #1 most popular social media post from GoHorseShow.
Number 2
The Dos and Don’ts of Showmanship Suits
Published on May 19, 2020
Written by Kassidy Lammers for GoHorseShow
Every May, GoHorseShow holds our annual Fashion Month, when readers clamor for as much fashion news and information as we can possibly throw at them. And even during a global pandemic, which resulted in many people spending every day living in sweatpants, our readers’ thirst for horse show fashion tips could not be deterred. In this article, industry fashion experts gave their dos and dont’s on the popular trend of wearing suits in showmanship and the response made it the number 2 story of the year.
CLICK HERE to read the 2nd most popular story of the year on GoHorseShow.
Number 3
What to Look for in the Perfect Western Pleasure Horse with Casey Willis and Jay Starnes
Published on February 18, 2020
Written by Olivia Bradish for GoHorseShow
As has been the trend, GoHorseShow readers continue to show a great affinity for informative articles from experts within the industry. So, when one of our writers pitched doing a series of articles on what to look for in certain disciplines, it’s no wonder they were all incredibly well-received by readers. Although horsemanship, hunter under saddle, showmanship, trail, western riding, and equitation were all also very popular, the one on western pleasure with top trainers Casey Willis and Jay Starnes took the cake as our number 3 story of the year.
CLICK HERE to read the 3rd most popular story of the year on GoHorseShow.
Number 4
2020 Redbud Spectacular Receives Official Approval to Host Show
Published on May 14, 2020
Written by GoHorseShow with OQHA
In a normal year, the announcement that a horse show was going to proceed as normally scheduled would barely even register with most readers. However, as we all know, 2020 was anything but normal. So, when one of the biggest spring shows, the Redbud Spectacular in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was one of the first to announce the show would continue as scheduled after approximately two months of horse show shutdown, GoHorseShow readers really took an interest. Although seemingly simple, this announcement was everything we all needed at the time and provided just the breath of fresh air to register as our number 4 story of the year.
CLICK HERE to read the 4th most popular story of the year on GoHorseShow.
Number 5
We Ask The Experts – What’s The Most Challenging, Yet Successful Horse You’ve Trained in Your Career?
Published on July 15, 2020
Written by GoHorseShow
If there is one thing that’s remained consistent over the 12 plus years of GoHorseShow’s history, it’s that our readers seem to love the “We Ask The Experts” series. Without fail, year-after-year, horse enthusiasts seem to really take an interest in hearing what their fellow exhibitors have to say regarding various topics, ranging from hot controversies to just exploring fun facts. This year’s most read “WATE” story was regarding people’s most challenging, yet successful mounts. We’ve all had them, challenging horses…sometimes it’s just nice to know that some of the best in the industry have too. Having experts in the industry recount some of their more difficult equine companions, is our number 5 story of the year.
CLICK HERE to read the 5th most popular story of the year on GoHorseShow.
Number 6
Practice Tips for a Stellar Showmanship Pattern with Charlene Carter and Shannon Vroegh
Published on September 15, 2020
Written by Georgia Smith for GoHorseShow
What do you get when you combine one of the most popular classes at the horse show with tips from two of the leading trainers for that class? One very popular story, that’s what. Charlene Carter and Shannon Vroegh, both judges as well, have coached more championship winning showmanship runs than you can count and they were kind enough to share some of their expertise with GoHorseShow readers. In our number 6 story of the year, Carter and Vroegh each offered up their top 3 showmanship practice pointers for laying down the perfect pattern.
CLICK HERE to read the 6th most popular story of the year on GoHorseShow.
Number 7
Charlie Cole’s Virtual Horse Show – A Popular New Way for the Horse Show World to Compete
Published on March 27, 2020
Written by Julie Hoefling for GoHorseShow
One thing nobody can accuse the horse show community of during the pandemic is a lack of creativity. Professional trainer Charlie Cole of Highpoint Performance Horses in Pilot Point, Texas was one of the first to step up to the plate with a global solution for the entire show world…a place for people to show their horses online during quarantine. Charlie’s Virtual Horse Show concept took on a life of its own as people from all over the globe entered to win prizes and get feedback from real judges. It was more than just another success story from Highpoint, it was just what the show world needed.
CLICK HERE to read the 7th most popular story of the year on GoHorseShow.
Number 8
Tips and Tricks to Obtain the Perfect Body Position While Riding
Published on January 21, 2020
Written by Cat Guenther for GoHorseShow
GoHorseShow readers certainly seem to appreciate all the self-help articles they can get their hands on. That’s no surprise, considering a large portion of our readership consists of ultra-competitive exhibitors who are always looking for that extra edge in the show ring to stay at the top of their game. Our number 8 article proved to be no exception as readers were all about getting body position tips from expert equestrians Nancy Cahill and Carla Wennberg.
CLICK HERE to read the 8th most popular story of the year on GoHorseShow.
Number 9
Forming the “Winning” Picture in Halter
Published on January 19, 2020
Written by Madison Lee for GoHorseShow
Who doesn’t love a pretty horse? In our 9th most popular story of the year for 2020, champion halter trainers Ted Turner, Dewey Smith, Buddy Laney, and Steve Tidwell discuss current trends and formulas for success in the halter class. Despite the common misconception that the halter class is judged by the pound, our industry experts set the record straight and discuss more focus on prettiness, balance, and correctness.
CLICK HERE to read the 9th most popular story of the year on GoHorseShow.
Number 10
Horse Practice without Horses with Professional Trainers Brad Kearns, Missy Thyfault and Brent Tincher
Published on April 6, 2020
Written by Kassidy Lammers for GoHorseShow
At the early onset of the pandemic, as shows all over the world started to get canceled or postponed, the horse industry had to get a little creative to find ways to get our horse fix while socially distancing. About three weeks after the first cases really started to impact things, some of the horse show industry’s leaders started to share their ideas for keeping things headed in the right direction, even if being with your actual horse wasn’t an option.
CLICK HERE to read the 10th most popular story of the year on GoHorseShow.
