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Multiple AQHA World & Congress Champion Glo Inthedark Retired

Bittersweet News: Multiple AQHA World & Congress Champion Glo Inthedark retired & donated to Penn State.

Amateur Kristie Patterson of State College, Pennsylvania, has donated her multiple AQHA World & Congress Champion mare, Glo Inthedark (Augusta), to the Penn State Breeding Program. Augusta has impeccable bloodlines – by the legendary RL Best Of Sudden and out of the famous dam Onlyafraid Inthedark, who is by the late great, Invitation Only.

“We decided to retire Augusta because we knew there needed to be more of her in this world. She was a phenomenal show horse with a great pedigree and not continuing those genetics would be a disservice to the industry. Breeding is not something I have wanted to take part in personally, which led to our decision to have her join Penn State’s herd. We look forward to potentially owning one of her babies.”

Patterson is an alumnus of the equine sciences program at Penn State. ”I am thrilled to give back to the program that helped shape my future as a young adult. We live very close to the University and are always getting updates on the mares we have donated. We do not have any dibs on her babies, but we are excited to watch them hit the ground and go through Penn State’s two-year-old training class and sale, another program I was heavily involved in during my time at Penn State.”

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Penn State Judging Team Coach and Farm Manager Brian Egan says that this mare will significantly boost their breeding program. If possible, he hopes first to breed her to One Hot Krymsun. “As a judging team coach, Augusta is the perfect example of a mare that exhibits form to function. A structurally correct, well-made mare that will hopefully produce higher quality and longer-lasting performers. She also has a great attitude, which is an important part of the program since there are a lot of students involved.”

Patterson’s trainer, Chris Gray looks forward to seeing her many foals in the show ring. “Augusta has provided all of us with so many precious memories. I am very excited she gets to retire into the broodmare band at Penn State. I can’t wait to see what she produces.”

In 2023, the Patterson’s first year owning Augusta, daughter Melanie and Augusta were Champions in L1 Youth Performance Halter Mares and Reserve Champions in L1 13&U Showmanship at L1 East Championships. They went on that year to be Congress Champions in Youth Performance Halter Mares, win two Region 5 Championships in Equitation and Trail, and multiple Grand Champions and Circuit Champions in both Youth and Open Performance Halter Mares. Augusta also achieved her Trail Superior with Chris and was the 2023 Highpoint in Open Performance Halter Mares. 

Moving on to 2024, she continued her success with Melanie being back-to-back Congress Champions in Youth Performance Halter Mares and L2 & L3 World Champions at the AQHYA World Show. She was also L3 Bronze Champion and L2 World Champion with Kristie in the Amateur Performance Mares at the AQHA World Show. Rounding out her success was completing her Open AQHA Championship this fall with trainer Chris Gray.

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“Augusta was an immense amount of fun to show,” Kristie says. “The first year, I watched Melanie and Chris show her constantly while I was sidelined with an injury. This mare truly loved her kid and cared for her in the ring. As Melanie grew taller, it was clear that she would need a bigger horse. That’s when Chris had the idea to have me show Augusta this past year, and Melanie gained a new partner to show in the all-around while still exhibiting Augusta in the halter and trail.”

That connection of sharing a horse with her daughter was incredible, Patterson says. “Augusta always had her ears up when you walked in the barn. Her personality added to her beauty and was a huge part of what made her so lovable. I felt even more pride and excitement watching Melanie win the halter at the AQHYA World Show and Congress than when I had my successes with her. It brought Melanie and me even closer in our relationship.”

“Augusta means the world to me,” Melanie told GoHorseShow. “She never let me down on any day and worked hard to make my dreams come true. She was the silliest and most dramatic horse I have ever owned, and I am so thankful to have had her.”

After Melanie learned that Augusta would be retiring, she knew it was the right decision for her. “It saddened me, but I knew it was right for her. She was too beautiful not to go and produce even more beautiful babies. I was glad to hear she was going to Penn State because I knew she would always be in caring hands.” 

Kristie says she owes their success in the show arena to their trainers, Chris Gray and Adam Deardorff. “They, along with an amazing group of friends throughout the horse industry, made sure that Augusta was always at her best.”

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