CLICK HERE to view the July Issue of GoMag
About the Cover
AQHYA World and Congress Champion Sydney Swallom and her horse, Almost Invited (Nate), are featured on the cover of the July AQHYA World Show issue of GoMag. This successful team will look to defend their 2022 AQHYA World Championship title in the Level 3 Youth Horsemanship 14-18, which is considered one of the most prestigious and challenging classes to win in Oklahoma City.
“That was possibly the most memorable day of my entire showing career,” Sydney says about winning the gold globe. “My second favorite win was the 15-18 Youth Horsemanship at the 2022 All-American Quarter Horse Congress. That day, my trainers, Mike and May Edwards, and I had the same mindset of leaving it all out there and going for it. They pushed me hard in the warmup pen before showing and being able to translate that into the show pen was very exciting.”
In the fall of 2022, the 18-year-old and her mother, Angie Johnson moved from Washington to Scottsdale, Arizona, where Sydney was able to finish high school online. She graduated from Lake Washington High School in June.
Swallom says she loves being a part of Team Edwards who also relocated from Washington to Scottsdale, Arizona. “Mike and May Edwards have been my trainers since day one, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their endless support, blood, sweat, and tears.”
Sydney says her goal for this AQHYA World Show is to lay down excellent patterns. “I want to continue to improve and push myself to complete patterns the best I can. Going into this youth world, I am going to practice hard and leave it all out in the show pen. This is not my last youth year, but I still want to show up and show out to the best of my abilities for the remainder of 2023.”
Swallom says Nate, is “the most special animal I’ve ever had the pleasure of swinging my leg over. Not only is he incredibly talented, but he has the biggest personality. He acts like a big puppy. I joke that he would sit in my lap if I let him. He loves his job and always aims to please which is an incredible quality of his.“
Sydney looks forward to riding on the Auburn Equestrian Team starting this coming fall. “I had committed to the team in the fall of 2021, so I have had close to two years of anticipation for this, so I’m ready and beyond excited for this next chapter of my academic and athletic career.”
GoHorseShow wishes this dynamic duo the best of luck in Oklahoma City, and we look forward to watching her continued success in the show arena and beyond.
CLICK HERE to view the July Issue of GoMag
Cover Design: Courtney Moses – Photos: Shane Rux, Kirstie Marie and GoHorseShow
The deadline for the August NSBA World Show Issue of GoMag is Friday, July 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.
