Amateur Select Exhibitor Ann Bossert of Morgantown, North Carolina was kind enough to share her reflections of her first time showing at the All American Quarter Horse Congress this past October. Bossert had some trials and tribulations, and almost wasn’t able to show. However, she ended up fulfilling her dream of showing at the Congress. Even months after the Congress, her first experience was something she will never forget. Let’s find out her story and how she did!
In Ann Bossert’s Own Words:
My first horse show was when I was six years old, and I won the blue ribbon in the Pleasure Pony class at an open show. I showed American Saddlebreds and Racking Horses for many years. In the eighties, my friend, Pam, was showing Quarter Horses on the South Carolina Quarter Horse Circuit, and it was she that convinced me that I needed one too. We hauled together and both showed in Amateur classes. Later, she married Eddie Jackson and they became professional trainers. Some years passed without owning a horse, but in 1994, they became my trainers.
I sold my previous horse and Pam found, Locate Your Assets (Harvey) for me. His dam is out of Nancy Sue Ryan’s stud, Fabuluke, and he is by Allocate Your Assets. He definitely had some good things going for him: he was a pretty bay; he was a gelding; and he had a great big trot. Just being around him a short time; it was also obvious that he also had a huge personality. So, he made his trip from Texas to his new home at Sugarberry Farm in Horatio, South Carolina. Pam brought him along, and we were successful in winning circuit championships and year end awards in the Select Hunter Under Saddle class.
In June, 2011, Harvey and I moved to Steve Reams Quarter Horses. I would say that they have finished, Harvey, but they still have a long way to go with me! We put the Congress on as a “maybe goal.”
I had been to the show as a spectator, but this was my first time ever taking a horse. On every trip at some time while sitting in the Celeste arena, I would think to myself, “Wonder what it would feel like to ride in here?” Closer to Congress time, it was decided that I would attend the show.
On October 13th of this year, I turned fifty four years-old. I left on my birthday to drive from my home in Morganton, North Carolina to Columbus, Ohio. It was my birthday gift. I had plans to arrive on the 13th and stay until the end. The Select Hunter Under Saddle class is on the next to the last day of the Congress. I was just going to take in all the Congress had to offer!
On day two or three of my stay, I came into the barn one morning and Steve said, “I’ve got some bad news for you. Harvey is sore. I have already taken him to the vet and he thinks that he has sprained his ankle in some way.”
The treatment plan was stall rest for a couple of days and then hand walking and then we will see! Dr. Hassinger of Hassinger Equine Services took care of him. He went to therapy twice a day and was put on the vibration machine. This machine promotes circulation which promotes healing. Steve told me that he had some better news for me and that morning, it was obvious that Harvey was sore because of an abscess and it was already open. Some days, Harvey would be doing better and then about the time I would get my hopes up, he would be more sore than the day before. At least three times, I almost concluded that this Congress was not meant to be and that I was going to go home. For some reason, I stayed. I guess “the want to so bad in me” just would not give up! Harvey did get better and stayed better.
Later, I was doing some shopping and I went into the Hitching Post trailer. He sells English items. I went over to the rack with the shirts on it, and there right on top was a Christmas red colored one. I looked at the size and it was my size. At that very moment, memories of my daddy went through my mind. Daddy would say that, “There is nothing prettier than a pretty lady riding a nice Five Gaited Saddlebred or a Racking Horse with a bright red show coat on!” As hard as I tried not to, the tears came. I’m sure my love of horses came from my father. So, I knew I had to buy it and wear in honor of my father, despite the loud color!
Those of you that were at the Congress know that some days of this Congress were very warm and other days were cold, windy, and rainy. October 27th was a cold, windy, and a rainy one! I kept telling myself not to think about all this negative stuff like the weather and that Harvey is not a spooky type horse and it was all going to be just fine! I tried to focus on all the positive reasons why it would be!
To the arena we go! I was in the first cut. Steve and Jennifer had Harvey all covered up so he would not get wet. Jennifer warmed him up and it was then my turn. It was so exciting! These might not be the exact words, but my instructions went something like this. “Harvey is a very good horse, show him like you know it. Keep your head up and look where you are going. Keep your butt down in the saddle at the canter and do not push him forward and the very last thing was have fun!”
I went into the small pen at the end of Celeste and I thought, there is not one thing that my trainers can do for me now. I had a very good ride and was called back to the finals. When they called my number out, I looked down just to make sure that that was really my number. I had really never talked much about my goal for the Congress but my personal goal was to make it to the Finals and I had just done that–I was so happy. When I came out, Steve and Jennifer told me that we had a great ride. I went back in for the finals and had another very good ride. I was so amazed that I did not have anxiety at a level that affected my ability to concentrate on my riding. That was just a miracle. As you know, they called the placings out for each judge. It was then that my heart was racing. Harvey and I ended up with a fourth place medallion! When I came out of the arena, Steve and Jennifer both told me congratulations and that I had a great ride, probably the best one ever. I think I might have had an angelic co-pilot.
Off to get pictures–it is common to have one picture at the Congress with everyone from your barn. Everyone from the Reams barn had already left the Congress. It was just Steve, Jennifer, and me. Dr. Hassinger and his wife Amy had their picture made with us. They were certainly a very important part of our team in making this ride happen. For sure, a dream come true for this Carolina country girl!
Photos © Jeff Kirkbride
