The Palomino Horse Breeder’s Association World Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma is currently under way with the Amateur and Open classes beginning on Sunday. The PHBA Youth World Show has just concluded, and the annual youth high point award winners in the nation were recognized Friday night at the Youth Banquet. GoHorseShow would like to congratulate Katie May on becoming the new PHBA-Y national president. Find out more about Katie and her plans for the association for this upcoming year.
There is no doubt that the May family of Greenwood, Florida is passionate about PHBA, and they put one hundred percent effort in helping the organization improve and move forward during these difficult economic times. Their daughter, Katie May, has been involved with PHBA since she was a little girl, and she has finally stepped up into a leadership position–becoming the incoming PHBA-Y president.
“It is really exciting for me,” Katie tells GoHorseShow.com. “I remember when I first started showing PHBA going to all the conventions and watching the youth president thinking, wow, I would love to be youth president when I get older. It’s just a great feeling to realize that I am about to take that position on the youth board.”
We also asked her what her upcoming plans are for the youth. “I’m hope to do a lot more group activities and fundraisers and just have the youth more involved not just at the youth world but at all shows,” Katie says. “By doing so, I’m hoping that will make the weekend shows and the world show bigger.”
Katie continues, “I would love to see more activities like the powder-puff horsemanship, where not only can the youth participates, but have the parents and family members be a part of it also.”
May mentions several accomplishments in the horse industry that she recalls as her favorites–winning world championships, Congress finalist, high point in the nation, and the Max Eisenburg Sportsmanship Award. However, most of the memories that stand out involve memorable moments with friends and family–not prizes.
The first memory that comes to her mind has to be when judge and halter trainer, Jarrell Jackson and Katie did the amazing race. “Between me being blindfolded and Mr. Jarrell yelling at me where to go in the obstacle course, to singing ‘You’re the one that I want’ in the karaoke contest. In my opinion, that’s pretty unforgettable.”
Her second most memorable moment has to be when horse trainer, Bo Pruitt and Katie did the blindfolded golf cart race. “Once again, I was blindfolded and driving (not a good thing when you put that together) and we were timed. All I remember is I floored it, and I felt a couple of bumps. I take off my blindfold, and I’m on the completely opposite side of the arena,” Katie remembers. “We didn’t win, but every time I look at the pictures I can’t help but laugh.”
Her last, but most definitely, her favorite memory has to be with her father, Doug May, aka Pookie Poopsalot. “I don’t think any memory will ever top the Powder-puff Horsemanship that my dad competed in and won! Seriously, how many kids get to say that they get to dress their dad in drag and not get in trouble for it,” Katie says and laughs. “I can still see it now, the blonde hair, fake teeth, make up, and a stick horse, well I think it can explain itself.”
Currently, Katie is showing her three year-old, GOLD STAR INVESTOR, aka Boots, and her four year-old, INVESTED IN DBL DEES. After high school, she plans to go to a local college and major in Graphic Design and Photography. While she is attending college, she plans to continue to ride and start training horses.
When GoHorseShow asked Katie what she liked about showing horses, she responds wholeheartedly, “To tell you the truth I haven’t liked it, I’ve loved it. It’s been such an amazing experience; I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I have met such great people, and have made so many amazing friends.”
