After sitting out the required five years, former World and Congress Champion open rider, Brian Isbell of Atlanta, Georgia has just started a new chapter in his horse show career as a Non Pro. Isbell debuted in the Non Pro Classes at the NSBA World Show with his new horse, David Buckham (Rodney). The new team won the Open and Non Pro BCF 3 to 6 Year-Old Color Hunter Under Saddle Classes.
“I’m glad to be back. I was a little nervous at first, but when I went into the pen it was like riding a bicycle, and I felt at home,” Isbell recalls. “After not riding much in five years, my legs are really sore now, so, I definitely need to work on getting them stronger.”
The five year-old hunter under saddle horse by All Time Fancy was the 2011 APHA Junior Hunter Under Saddle World Champion. Brian looks forward to showing Rodney in the hunter under saddle, pleasure driving, and showmanship at the APHA World Show. Their next show will be the Paint show held during the Reichert Celebration. Isbell also has a quarter horse mare, The Last Appeal, that he plans on showing in the pattern events under the supervision of Jenell Pogue. Their debut in the amateur events will be in a few weeks in Michigan.
“It is a different mind set showing in the Non Pro,” Isbell says. “I think everyone including myself has to get used to the idea of me not being a professional any longer–including the judges. Some of the trainers also were joking how unfair it was for me to be able to show in the non pro. I know some people don’t agree with me being able to compete as an amateur, but I knew that going in and I know it will take a while for some people to get used to the idea. Despite these challenges, I look forward to the new chapter in my life and can’t wait to go to my next horse show.”
Click here to read the very popular feature story we did on Brian in May of 2011.
