In the words of the band Semisonic, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
Whenever a new horse and rider team comes together, the match is made with the dream of accomplishing something great together. However, few achieve greatness on the level of 16 year old Allie Rippeon and her talented mare ItzOnly Make Believe (aka “Linda”).
Together, Allie and Linda are 11-time Quarter Horse Congress Champions, 7-time AQHYA World and Reserve World Champions, and 10-time NSBA World and Reserve World Champions. The pair has won unanimous Congress titles in Showmanship, Equitation, and Horsemanship and a unanimous AQHYA World Title in the Trail. They were also named the AQHA All-Around Youth Year-End Champions in 2024 and are on track to repeat the title in 2025.
After attaining such incredible heights in the industry, it is difficult to fathom what could be next for such an amazing duo. Yet, despite the temptation to continue their winning ways together, Rippeon decided to let Linda retire from all-around competition at the top of her game.
Closing A Chapter
“Linda is only eight years old, but she is so special to me that I didn’t want to keep pushing her in the all-around,” Rippeon explains.
“After discussions with my trainer [Michael Colvin] and my family, we decided to give Linda a chance to retire from the all-around when she is healthy, sound, and still enjoys her job.”
“We made the decision at the beginning of the year that this was going to be my final year showing Linda in the all-around classes. She isn’t going to completely retire from competition, but our intention is to scale back on her workload to allow her to have a more laidback show schedule.”
Rippeon will continue to show Linda in Trail at the 2026 majors under the guidance of Colvin.
Playing the Odds
Hour Slot Machine (aka “Vegas”) is a 2019 gelding by Machine Made out of Kaleena Weakly’s World Champion mare Hours Yours And Mine. He was bred by Weakly and started by Drew DuBuhr.
According to Weakly, “I love this cross with my special mare Blondie. Vegas has been special since he hit the ground. He is striking and talented – exactly what I hoped for when I planned this breeding.”
Vegas has been owned by Amateur exhibitor Maggie Edwards since 2021 and they’ve competed together since 2022. As a team, Edwards and Vegas have consistently earned top placings in Performance Halter, Showmanship, Horsemanship, and Equitation.
“Vegas has been an absolute joy to have in our lives for the past four years,” Edwards gushes. “He has a lot of personality and there’s never a dull moment with him.”
Edwards continues, “This year we finally came together as a team and really laid out some great rides consistently throughout the year, which was a lot of fun.”
She admits, “It’s been a very hard decision to sell Vegas because my husband and I love him so much. However, the Rippeons feel like the right family and it is the right time for me as well.”
Edwards adds, “I know Allie and Vegas will be an unstoppable team and we’re looking forward to watching the next part of Vegas’ career unfold. We wish them all the best and know they will do great together.”
Opening A New Chapter
Rippeon explains, “We’d been looking for another all-around horse for the past two years, but really started to search more urgently this past year. We happened to try Vegas at the 2025 Shamrock Shuffle and the rest is history.”
Rippeon chuckles, “When I first tried him, I was really impressed because we had just started seriously looking and I was surprised to find something so great so quickly.”
The Rippeons remained in touch with Edwards throughout the year with the intention of having her finish out the show season with Vegas, culminating at the AQHA World Show.
“I was honestly so impressed by how well Maggie did working with Vegas – she’s put such an amazing foundation on him and I’m looking forward to have the opportunity to build on what she started.”
Rippeon is excited to add Vegas to her 2026 show string. “Vegas is a big horse – around 16.2h and he is a super sturdy. He has a funny personality and it’s clear he loves to be around people. He loves to eat bananas, which I think is adorable.”
Vegas will come home to Rippeon Farms after the AQHA World Show where he will enter training with Colvin. Rippeon likes to take an active role in working with her own horses and she is looking forward to spending more time getting to know Vegas at home.
“I’m most looking forward to showing Vegas in the pattern classes,” Rippeon admits. “He is a super strong pattern horse and he also has a great lead change. So, I’m excited to get more into showing the Western Riding with him as well possibly even the Hunter Under Saddle.”
Ultimately, Allie hopes to show Vegas in the Showmanship, Performance Halter, Horsemanship, Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, Western Riding, and Trail.
If she plays her cards right, it seems like she might have hit the jackpot with this new match.
