CLICK HERE to view the September issue of GoMag
About the Cover
Courtney Stephens and Pistol Packin Mann are featured on the September cover of GoMag. This duo competes in the Amateur Western Pleasure, Maturity Non-Pro, and Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure and is looking forward to showing at the AQHA World Show in November. In addition, her trainer Bret Parrish will show “Pistol” in the Senior Western Pleasure in Oklahoma City.
The Stephens Family has owned Pistol Packin Mann for the past four years. Pistol is a 2013 sorrel gelding sired by Machine Made and out of Shes Simply Southern. “He’s all heart, easy going, and willing to do his job,” Courtney shares. “He knows when it’s show time and gives his all. He loves big hugs, and he also loves having his picture made. He’ll strike a pose anytime he sees a camera. Pistol is just an exceptional horse.”
After only owning him for a few weeks, Courtney and Pistol won the BCF Western Pleasure at the NSBA World Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “I can’t begin to tell you how excited everyone was, especially me,” Courtney said. “That is something I’ll never forget.”
Some of their other accomplishments include winning multiple classes at the Sudden Impulse NSBA Show & Futurity and winning the Maturity Non-Pro Western Pleasure and the Amateur Western Pleasure at The Premier.
“Pistol is the total package; he means the world to me. He’s the perfect partner; we work hard to be the best we can be. He loves what he does, and I love what I do, too. So, together, I think we make a pretty good team.”
Her trainer Candy Parrish talks fondly of this team. “Courtney has a special love for Pistol. She and Pistol are a competitive show team but have a special bond outside the show pen. Courtney works hard to be competitive and puts time in the saddle to achieve her accomplishments, but the most important thing to Courtney is to enjoy her time showing and riding. She loves riding with every cell in her body.”
Her biggest supporters are her parents, Kenneth and Teresa Stephens, and the rest of her family. Their biggest fan is Melinda Baumann, Pistol’s first ‘Mom.’ She celebrates all of their accomplishments. “I can’t thank her enough for cheering us on,” says Courtney.
In the future, they would like to start showing Pistol in Western Riding. “Cody Parrish has an excellent talent for training horses for that event,” Courtney adds. “I plan to show a younger horse in Western Pleasure when that time comes.”
“I’m so blessed to be a part of the Parrish family. It’s hard to describe how much they all mean to my family and me,” Courtney shares. “When my dad met Bret for the first time, he knew he was a remarkable man. We had no idea then what God had in store for us or how blessed we would be at Parrish Quarter Horses. We thank God for them every day, and we thank Him for Pistol, too!”
CLICK HERE to view the September issue of GoMag
Cover Design: Courtney Moses – Cover Photo: Impulse Photography
The deadline for the October Congress Issue of GoMag is Wednesday, September 28th. To reserve your space, call or text Suzannah Fuhrman, GoHorseShow’s Co-founder and Executive Vice President at 214-449-8716 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. GoHorseShow…Where The Winners Go.
