Top youth exhibitor and AQHA World Show spectator, Lindsey McMullen, who shows Huntin For Money, kindly agreed to be one of our reporters during the AQHA World Show. For Day 7, she reports on the Equitation finals, and talks to Kelsey Moody on her Reserve World Championship. On Saturday, Lindsey discusses the 2 Year-Old prelims, and talks to Shorty Koger of Shorty’s Caboy Hattery about the Rein In Cancer Fundraiser.
Lindsey McMullen Reports on Saturday November 13th, 2010 at AQHA World Show
The sun has finally found it’s way back out of the clouds, as if it’s trying to cap off an awesome 10 days in Oklahoma. Today all the girls in the Jewett barn have made their way from College Station and Fort Worth to come support Brad in the 2 year old Pleasure, Junior Trail, and Western Riding.
The 2 Year-Old Pleasure consisted of 2 splits and a semi’s, all of which Brad made it through for the finals on Tuesday. He showed Kristina Howell’s 2 Year-Old, In My Sunday Best. This was a fun class to watch. You get to see some of the top trainers go to work and show some really talented young horses. Though this class was a good one, I was very suprised to see how small the class seemed to be! Only two splits consisting of 11 and 12 in each.
After the pleasure was over, I set off to finish my must haves. When I was browsing through the vendors I ran into Shorty Koger at Shorty’s Caboy Hattery. Earlier while I was in the arena, I kept hearing about the Rein In Cancer fundraiser happening later in the day. I wanted to get some information on it, and who else would know all about it other than Shorty.
Shorty told me it was to help raise money for the Rein In Cancer and Shirley Bowman Nutritional Clinic. The Clinic helps all cancer patients receive free counseling on nutrition. It is said that dieting can play a big part on the recover of a patient. For the Rein In Cancer benefit, people can purchase a $5 frisbee and whoever hits the target in the arena with their frisbee will win a free custom hat from Shorty’s. They are also throwing pink t-shirts out into the crowd during the fundraiser.
Koger also has a silent auction going on in the trade show–which proceeds go toward the aid of cancer victims and survivors. She said, “I’m very grateful to all the vendors that donated, and none of this could be happening without horse people.” So make sure and stop by and check out all the cool items in the auctions, and vendors, get proactive and see what you can get donated.
Shorty is a large contributor to helping cancer victims, and many people are grateful to her hard work and determination. What a great woman!
The Jewett barn ended our night at Toby Keith’s in downtown Oklahoma City. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my stay at the AQHA World Show. I’ve had a fun time reporting on some great wins and good stories. Hope y’all have enjoyed it as well. Make sure and check out my short list, only short because there wasn’t enough time to go through all the awesome shops, of must haves coming soon in an upcoming article from the shops at the AQHA world show.
Congratulations to everyone and good luck to all the open exhibitors this week. It’s back to reality for me; my ponies are calling my name at home in Knoxville!!
Sincerely,
Lindsey
Lindsey McMullen Reports on Friday, November 12, 2010 at AQHA World Show
Our nice streak of weather is nowhere to be found on this nasty rainy and windy day in Oklahoma City. It would be my mom and sister’s luck to just miss the sun and warm breeze. Despite the gross weather outside, we all wake up, get dressed, and head out to the show. It seems while my excitement has worn off, my family has caught the World Show fever; we couldn’t be there early enough.
The show was kicked off today with five different halter classes, and then four other hunter classes. First up on the list of riding classes was the Equitation on the Flat. This class is such an elegant class to watch, especially with the ‘queen’ of the Equitation, Jessica Johnson and Royalty in Blue in it. In my opinion, not many people can compare to Jessica with that leg of steel and perfect posture.
Today, it was two black horses left standing in the middle of the pen, and who else was it but Jessica Johnson and Kelsey Moody. Kelsey has quite an inspirational story behind her pretty smile and bubbly attitude.
On the arena floor you can see Kelsey start to cry when it the announcer gets down to just two, and I look over to my right I can see her mom, Kay Moody, jumping around in her seat! She was one proud mama. Both girls look over and congratulate each other as the announcer calls Kelsey out as the Reserve World Champion. She leans over and gives her partner, Blue, a big pat on the neck. I couldn’t be happier for anyone.
I met up with Kelsey soon after she got finished with pictures and what not. When I asked Kelsey what this accomplishment meant to her, she said, “I feel like I already won, because Jessica is so good it’s almost like she’s in a league of her own.” What good sportmanship.
Kelsey goes to school at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian College in Laurinsburg, NC where she rides on the IHSA English and Western team. Ms. Moody will graduate in May of 2011. Kelsey was no new comer to the world show scene, but this was her first year at the AQHA Amateur World Show. Back in 2006 she and Blue were 6th in the Horsemanship and finalist in the Trail, Eq, and Western Riding at the Youth World. Then in 2007 she was 8th in the Horsemanship and 7th in the Showmanship. Her last year in youth she didn’t have the chance to show Blue, but she did have a top ten finish on her pleasure horse, Hot Lil Mama. To add to Kelsey’s List of accomplishments, she was 7th in the Trail and 10th in the Horsemanship here at the Amateur World Show, along with her newly awarded Reserve World Champion in Equitation.
Blue got hurt back in 2007 after the Youth World and the Colvin team managed to get him through another year, but ended up not being able to show at the 2008 Youth World, and had to give him some time off. Kelsey said they didn’t know if he’d ever be able to show again. She smiles and says, “I’m so glad he’s alive and it’s such a blessing to get to show.” I remember showing for a few years with Kelsey in the youth, and it’s obvious this big pretty gelding had way too much heart to give up now. Seems like he’s got many years of talent left to put in the show pen.
I asked Kelsey what she thought of the pattern today, and she said, “ My favorite part to the pattern was the hand gallop. I’m glad they are making Equitation more English rather than horsemanship in English attire. The hardest part, to me, was the hand gallop to the stop.” Which might I add, she nailed it perfectly.
I also wanted to ask, for all you trying to improve your equitation, what Kelsey’s secret to a super tight equitation leg was. She laughs, and says, “I give lots of credit to my coach at school. I get to ride the crazy warmbloods without stirrups. It just takes lots of practice and riding time.” As Charlene Carter would say, “perfect practice makes perfect.”
Plans for the talented duo are just to continue showing. This true all around girl says she might want to take up some reining in the future. We don’t want to leave mama Kay out; Kelsey says she will probably show Blue some in the Select Trail.
Once again, congratulations to Double T Blue Chip and Kelsey Moody in the Amateur Equitation.
Today for the McMullen’s was quite slow. We mostly visited ALL the shops in the trade shows, watched the Amateur Classes, and then hurried back to catch the always entertaining Working Cowhorse. A class that, when I am an Amateur, and my parents have sold my horses, I might want to take up. After the Cowhorse ended, we all ordered take out at the Cheesecake Factory then sat around and visited with our good friend Julie at her trailer. It’s Friday night, so I know we are leaving Sunday morning, but I wish we could be here another week. One more full day of reporting I have left for you, so I’ll try my hardest to make it a good one!
Back Soon,
Lindsey
Lindsey McMullen Reports on Day 6 of AQHA World Show: Thursday November 11, 2010
Today is Thursday; the day I’ve not been looking forward to all week, the day my partner in crime, Charlene Carter, is leaving to go back home to Tennessee. I was feeling really sad after seeing all her luggage packed up and sitting in the doorway of the hotel room.
After getting everything settled with Charlene, we headed over to the fairgrounds to watch the Showmanship finals. We got to the coliseum just in time to watch Rita Crundwell win her millionth World Champion with her beautiful stud colt.
Next up, the arena is being cleared and the judges are making their way down the steps behind the announcer’s stand. No cones are being used in this pattern; the exhibitors are starting their pattern right from the gate. Jessica Baird alongside Cool Moving Lady are first to go, and I’m thinking this is going to be a pretty salty class with a pattern like that right off the bat. The ladies, accompanied by a lone gentleman, Dan Yeager, definitely delivered a nice class to watch.
Placing 3rd in the Amateur Showmanship was the graceful Courtney Ryan leading her long maned stud. The reserve winner was Jessica Baird and Cool Moving Lady–leaving the young amateur, Kara Oldford and Im Shy But Deluxe (Travis) as the last one standing. As I watch Kara and Travis (pictured left) make their victory lap, I think of all the times Kara dominated the youth show pen, especially in this class. A lot of hard work and dedication has gone into this win for Kara and was a well deserved victory.
After the showmanship finals, I spent the rest of my day hanging out with my family’s good friend, Julie McGuffie. Before long, I found myself heading back to my room at the Biltmore hotel to await my mom and sister’s arrival. Tomorrow, we have some fun classes coming up–Equitation finals, Western Riding finals, and the Working Cowhorse finals. I’m looking forward to an exciting day of spectating tomorrow. Not to mention, all the girls from the Jewett barn are road tripping it up to the world show for the weekend!
You’ll be hearing from me soon.
Lindsey
Lindsey McMullen Reports on Day 5 of AQHA World Show–November 10, 2010
I’m back with more breaking news from the Bank of America week in Oklahoma City. After a slow going morning, Charlene Carter and I headed off to catch an early lunch at Charleston’s, with some anticipated shopping at Shepler’s across the street from the Biltmore hotel afterwards.
Just in time, we decided to head back over to the show grounds! Though we just missed the exciting run-off for the gold globe in the Amateur reining, I tracked down the newly crowned world champion and asked her to visit with me about her exhilarating ride off with Samantha Griffin and Dun Playing Tag.
Carrie von Uhlit, though no new comer to winning a world championship, kept a close hold on her shiny world show buckle as we chatted in the stands in Barn 6. After winning the reining today, she has won a grand total of 6 world championships. Even with all these awards, Carrie is just as excited, it seems, as ever.
Four years ago right after the world show, she bought a chestnut stallion by the name of Ricochet San, known to Carrie as Ricky, and the next year, she came to the world show in the reining and took home the gold. They came back in 2009 and stole the silver, and this year, the team came back and battled their way to another well-deserved victory.
Carey notes that this year is the first year to not announce the scores after each person’s individual pattern work. She says, “Its very nerve wrecking, especially with a late draw, you really have to ride for it when you don’t know the scores to beat. Even at all the big reining events, they always announce the scores. That way, everyone knows where they sit.
This talented horse woman adds, “The biggest thing in the reining is that there is never a perfect run, there are so many maneuvers at a high rate of speed, you are just trying to keep it all together. ESPECIALLY having to make two runs. Everyone going into the finals only prepares to have that one pattern, and it’s very difficult to have to prepare for another one in a ride-off. Everyone can do pieces but the hardest part is putting it all together.”
I say to Carrie, “Let’s talk about this ride off!”, and a huge smile appears on her face. Von Uhlit says that she was very excited to have the run-off, and she knew she had to run as hard as she could. It sounds to me like this young woman and her talented stallion left their hearts in the Jim Norick arena this evening!
Make sure and watch Ricky show in the Working Cowhorse prelims with Steve Metcalf on Monday. This class is a new addition for Carrie, and she intends on taking Ricky to the NRCHA World Championship show in February in San Angelo, Texas. With a track record like hers, we can all be sure to see more dramatic wins going her way! Good luck to both Carrie and Steve in any upcoming events on Ricochet San.
TRIVIA FUN FACTS:
Carrie won the Youth World in 04 four times over. She won the Equitation Over Fences, Working Hunter, Equitation on the flat, and the Hunter Hack. Not too shabby of a list of accomplishments if I don’t say so myself!
After finishing my interview with Carey, I find myself wondering where my day went. With not too many days left here in the city, I’m starting to get sad to leave this place; horse shows just feel like home, and with my mom and sister getting in on Thursday night, it will only be tougher to leave! For me, there is only 3 more days of crowning new world champs. Guess I’ll be on the other side of the computer watching all the open exhibitors during the FedEx Open Week at the World Show. But for now, sleep is calling my name!
Talk to y’all soon
Lindsey
Lindsey McMullen Reports on Day 4 of AQHA World Show–November 9, 2010
Hello again!! The days in OKC are only getting more exciting with Equitation prelims this morning, Pleasure finals this afternoon, and Horsemanship finals later on tonight.
After Charlene and I swung by McDonalds, it was off to the show grounds. Charlene kindly helped me gather a bunch of items and info for a must have list at the trade show. This task easily took two hours, and before we knew it; Charlene was getting a call saying the Pleasure was soon to be starting. Next thing you know, we are in the stands watching the first horse make it’s way down the middle of the arena at a moderate extension of the jog.
My props go out to every horse and rider in the finals. What a nice class of talented horses!
The trophy winners in the class were; Nancy Wilkerson and Troubles A Blazin taking home the bronze, Lindsey Pearce and Amblin So Good capturing the silver, and Tanya Relander on One Lazy Investment stealing the gold.
Soon after the class was over–actually while most of the finals’ horses were still in the line to get pictures, I caught up with the beautiful Lindsey Pearce who’s aboard Amblin So Good.
There’s quite an interesting story under this girl’s saddle. Lindsey is from Granbury, Texas and rides with Cleve Wells and Andy Cochran, who are stationed in Burleson, Texas. She loped her way to a Reserve World Champion globe today aboard the 5 year old mare, Amblin So Good, by Good Machine and out of the famous mare Zippos Amblin Easy. Lindsey started showing Candy as a 3 Year-old and seems to have had much success since then. Just this year, the mare won the Amateur Pleasure at the NSBA World Show and also the Junior with Andy Cochran. They hauled to the Scottsdale Classic before Congress and the mare won all of her classes out there. Next up, Andy was also 5th at the Congress on Candy in the Junior Pleasure.
When I asked Lindsey what she loved most about the talented sorrel mare, she said, “She reminds me of her mama, Lil Amble.” Who, come to find out, was purchased by her granddad, Jerry Kimmel before he retired her to be a mama. No wonder this girl knows her pleasure stuff!! Andy Cochran comments on his favorite thing about the mare, and says, “I like her topline and how she uses her ears. The topline is supposed to be one of the winning factors, and we gotta practice what AQHA stresses!” And yes, I think many would agree with Andy about the mare’s topline, always level and consistent.
Any future plans for Lindsey aren’t far from the show pen. She has a coming two year old by Good Machine out of Zippo Erin to show in the pleasure futurities.
A little trivia to the report today…
Cleve and Andy had three horses in the Amateur Western Pleasure finals today, a reserve horse, a top-ten horse and a finalist horse…two of which Lindsey’s granddad raised. Jerry raised Lindsey’s mare, Candy, and another horse in the finals, also under the guidance of Cleve and Andy, Gotta Good Machine owned by Linda Sargent. Linda’s horse is a full sibling to Pearce’s coming two year-old!
Many congrats and continued success goes out to all the Amateur ladies in the Wells/Cochran barn.
Next up on the schedule today is the Horsemanship finals. I’ve literally been anticipating this class since I arrived in Oklahoma City, and tonight there is going to be a newly crowned World Champion out there in the Jim Norick arena taking a victory lap!
All week I have been bugging my good friend, and soon to be team mate at Oklahoma State University, Marissa Dalton to let me interview her for the Horsemanship. She has kindly answered any text or quick question I’ve had for her at any hour for 3 or 4 days now. I really appreciate all her patience!
This gorgeous Ohio native has been hauling with Dan and Darlene Trein for 11 years now. At discovering this, Marissa (pictured right) jokingly looks over to Darlene and says, “and I’m just now getting good!” Marissa and her sister show Good Naturally, known to many as Ebay, in the Horsemanship. Since Brie got to show him at the Congress, Marissa got to have him for the World Show. For Marissa, the Horsemanship is her favorite class. She comments to me that in the finals, the hardest part is going from the extended trot to the jog, but that they have been overworking it, and should be able to nail it. The most fun part to this pattern Marissa explains is the spins. She says, “His spins are so fun to do, and it’ll be his time to excel.”
Tonight, accompanied by only one other newly turned Amateur, Kara Oldford, Marissa placed 9th in the Horsemanship. With a beautiful smile, Marissa trots up to the awards table with Ebay and receives a grey ribbon to match her stunning grey outfit.
A close to a satisfying yet long day couldn’t come soon enough. After watching Whitney Walquist Vicars take her much deserved victory lap, Charlene and I quickly made our way to the car and headed to our cozy room at the Biltmore.
Congratulations to everyone and good luck the rest of the week.
Until next time…
Lindsey
Lindsey McMullen Reports on Day 3 of AQHA World Show–November 8, 2010
Hi everyone! I’m back again reporting from the AQHA Amateur World Show here in Oklahoma City. Day three at the horse show began early for Mrs. Carter. Charlene and her client, Jakob Garner, were both up and at em’ getting Chips Chocolate Chex, AKA “Juicy”, ready for the Showmanship prelims in Barn 6. This is Jakob’s first year competing at the World Show! Coming off a whirlwind of a Congress, placing 13th in Amateur Showmanship (his first Congress by the way), I believe it’s safe to say; it was a very successful horse show indeed.
Soon after the rest of the crew, I was at the show and sitting in the stands watching the Showmanship prelims. Showmanship is a class that many people either love or hate. It takes a lot of practice and dedication, and those willing to put forth the determination and effort will excel!
This derivative of the halter discipline has added spins, back ups, and trot patterns all while being judged on the exhibitors ability to fit and show a horse at halter. As I can hear Charlene saying now, “You have to dance with your horse, go in there and own it! It’s about having confidence.” That, my friends, is some advice worth listening to!
With all of this running through my mind, the first horse is walking into the arena and the prelims are underway. With a few to watch before Jakob goes, I can’t help but start feeling really nervous for him.
As he takes his first steps into the AQHA World Show Arena, I am taken down memory lane remembering my first years at a World Show. They were the most scary, yet, most exciting times of my life. It was such a fun experience watching from a far the thrill of how a new exhibitor feels coming to the prestigious AQHA World Show.
Jakob and Juicy had a beautiful pattern this morning in the prelims of Showmanship. Sadly, the new duo didn’t make the finals. Although a little let down, Jakob couldn’t be too upset because multiple people throughout the day continued to come up to him and tell him how nice of a run he had earlier! It’s all about getting his name out there! Sooner or later, Jakob will be in those Amateur finals and be one of the top contenders.
With a slim list of only 15, a talented group of showmen will be walking through the “gateway of champions” to the finals on Thursday with one goal in their mind, to be the last one standing in the middle of the arena. Who will it be? Good luck to everyone!
It was an early night for the gang because of the busy day ahead of us all tomorrow. A long day of Equitation in the morning, Pleasure mid-afternoon, and Horsemanship later in the evening. There will be much to look forward to in my next report.
Until then,
Lindsey
Day 1 & 2: Saturday Nov. 6th and Sunday Nov. 7
Hello from Oklahoma City! My name is Lindsey McMullen and I will be reporting for the Bank of America Amateur week here at the 2010 World Show. With beautiful weather and high spirits from exhibitors and spectators, the World Show sure seems the place to be in November. Some of the country’s most talented amateurs, respected trainers, tactful breeders, and proud owners come to the City of Oklahoma for a chance to take home the much sought after Golden Globe, and of course, a year’s worth of bragging rights!!
My good friend and former horse trainer, Charlene Carter of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, called me a few days before the world show started and asked me if I’d like to join her for a week of horse showing and all the festivities the world show has to offer. I quickly booked my flight to Oklahoma! While Charlene will be busy with her showmanship client, I decided I would help out the folks at GoHorseShow.com and write about my days here at the show. Though I might not have all the excitement of an exhibitor, maybe I can bring some exclusive interviews to the table.
Our first day on the show grounds consisted of getting familiar with where everything was, at least for Charlene and I, this consisted of only one question, “Where is the shopping?” Attention to all the ladies, let me tell you, there are some wonderful and unique vendors added to the world show’s usual long list of spectacular shopping. So, make sure and grab your wallet and head over to BOTH trade shows located across the street from the Super Barn!
Our second day of the Amateur week here at the world show was very promising with Trail and Western Riding prelims first thing in the morning. Although we had a planned early morning start to catch both the Trail and Western Riding, Charlene and I managed to sleep right on through the Trail. Sad, because Trail is one of my favorite classes. I was cheered up when the idea came to me. Who else but the trail “queen” herself, Kathryn Gorsuch, and her reliable mount Bigbeboppinbob could give us a run down of the Trail.
Who knew it was gonna be so hard to track down this lady! When I finally caught up with Kathryn we got to sit down and chat back at her stalls for quite a while.
Kathryn (pictured left with Tim “The Trail Man” Kimura) is only 20 years old and can boast the title of having the highest recorded score in history in the trail (a 244 ½ to be exact) when she won a World Champion in Trail aboard the famous old man, Bigbeboppinbob, or more affectionately known as Bob.
Earlier in the day Kathryn showed her debut AM trail prelims in barn 6 at the world show, in which she made the finals. When I asked Kathryn what she thought of her pattern, I got the remark of a perfectionist and true accomplished trail woman. Kathryn said, “It wasn’t near perfect, I had a few ticks, but I know with how fancy and how much style Bob has in the trail that hopefully it can cover up some of my faults.”
With a score of 220 there couldn’t have been too much to fix in this young amateur’s prelim pattern. Kathryn and Bob are 10th going into the finals on Wednesday, and comments on how the finals pattern is definitely a “Bob” kind of pattern. I know I can’t wait to see if she can break her own record and take home the gold for a second year running! GOOD LUCK Kathryn!!
Finishing the Trail prelims in Barn 6 the Western Riding followed soon after. I quickly grabbed a seat in the stands. This all too specialized class is no doubt a tough class and is only getting tougher with horses like A Certain Vino, Harley D Zip, and Vital Signs Are Good at the top of the leader boards. As I sat in the stands, I was mesmerized by all the talent in the horses and riders.
I tracked down Christine Sceets (pictured right), who shows one of my family’s all time favorite horses, Intangible Award, soon after she finished her near flawless run. This gorgeous Texan and A&M Aggie was all smiles when we chatted on her way to take “Kojak” back to his stall. Christine has been hauling with Sharon Wellman for 10 years and it’s obvious all the training and riding has been paying off for her here at the World Show. Earlier this morning she made the Trail finals, and soon after, made the Western Riding finals. Not to mention the Horsemanship finals yesterday as well! This talented duo scored a 221 in the western riding prelims. Christine says, “I would like to have him a little more stood up through his crossover changes for the finals, but only minute changes to the entire pattern.”
Especially for my mom’s sake, I asked Christine what her plans for Kojak were. Kojak’s stall at Wellman’s doesn’t look like it’s going to be vacant any time soon. She also says that hauling is a nice break from having to be busy with school. So mom, it looks like you are going to have to start looking for another horse for your Amateur years!
Good Luck to Christine and Intangible award in all of your finals classes.
To wrap up a long day in OKC, Charlene and I, along with her customer Jakob Garner and sister Kelley, end up in a booth at On The Border right down the street from the show grounds. Not a better way to end your day here at the AQHA World Show!
…stay tuned for more class results and exclusive interviews with some of the top exhibitors.
-Lindsey
