GoHorseShow would like to congratulate Lydia Menossi of Edwardsville, Illinois on the purchase of AQHYA World and Congress Champion Justa Machine. This talented bay gelding was recently named the 2021 AQHYA World Champion in Western Riding 14-18 with Grant Mastin as well as the L2 Champion. Mastin and ‘Ziggy’ were also Top 10 in 14-18 Trail. Justa Machine is also a two-time Congress Champion in western pleasure.
“Lydia has two years of youth left and is wanting to ride in college,” Lydia’s mother, Misty told us. “We are hoping that Ziggy fulfills her dreams for her last couple years of youth.”
Justa Machine is sired by Machine Made and out of the legendary mare, Zip N Therapy, who is also the dam of such greats as RL Best Of Sudden.
This year, Lydia has been showing Flat Sophisticated (pictured right), and the two were recently APHA Reserve World Champions in Novice Youth Western Pleasure and Reserve Intermediate World Champions in the Youth 14-18 Showmanship.
Under the guidance of Tim and Shannon Gillespie of Gillespie Show Horses, Lydia and Ziggy will continue to train under the Gillespie’s talented instruction.
“Lydia is such a hard working girl and has so much natural talent,” Tim Gillespie said. “We can’t wait for what’s in her future. This is why Shannon and I love what we do. We are also so thankful to customers like the Menossi’s.”
We asked Lydia how this sale came about. “My trainers approached me saying that Justa Machine was possibly for sale. As soon as they told me this, I was instantly interested in him. So, we proceeded to try him, and I fell in love with him as soon as I rode him. I love his calm and sweet personality and how loving he is. He is such a fun horse to ride and has such a soft feel to him.”
Lydia will be showing him in the trail, western riding, western pleasure, and hopefully, horsemanship and showmanship in the future. The new team will be making their debut at the NSBA World Show.
“I’m so excited for this opportunity to own such a talented horse, and I can’t thank my trainers and parents enough for this opportunity,” Lydia told us.
Gillespie adds, “Thank you to Ryan Cottingim, Amanda Gately and Samantha Gately, for being so professional and great to work with. Also, congratulations to Grant Mastin on all of your success with Ziggy.”
From all of us at GoHorseShow, we wish the best of luck to this new team on your incredibly bright future together.
