As 2015 comes to an end, it has become a GoHorseShow tradition to look back on our top-10 most popular stories of the year as determined by our readers. GoHorseShow’s goal has always been to combine unbiased and responsible journalism, entertainment, education, interaction and fun as well as to provide a reading experience unparalleled to any other in our industry. GoHorseShow was there to cover it all in 2015.
The year 2015 will be remembered for many things, including unveiling a brand new website. We would like to give special thanks to the many loyal GoHorseShow readers for making 2015 the biggest year to date for our web traffic, further solidifying GoHorseShow as the industry leader for yet another year.
From now until January 1, we will reveal the top-10 stories for the year 2015. Each story’s ranking is determined by how many times it was read.
NUMBER 1
GoHorseShow Exclusive: Invitation Only and Lazy Loper Sell to Leeman Farm
Published
Written by GoHorseShow
When Invitation Only and Lazy Loper’s breeding manager, Debbi Trubee asked us to break the story that the two famous stallions had been sold to Fritz and Carole Leeman of Massillon, Ohio, we knew immediately that we had a story that would vie for the most popular story on GoHorseShow for 2015. We were right. Combine the sale of two of the most dominant stallions in our industry with long-standing and likable pillars in the industry, and people take notice. As a side note, one of our favorite quotes of the entire year came out of this story when Debbi Trubee told us, “Fritz is the most excited person I have ever seen buy a horse in my life. He is like a little kid. He is giddy!”
Click here for the most popular story on GoHorseShow for 2015
NUMBER 2
Ten Things We Give Up Showing Horses
Published
Written by
The second most popular story of the year on GoHorseShow discussed what “normal” is for horse show people and illustrated all of the things we lose in order to show horses. Not surprising, Kelsey Keathly’s insightful and well written story became a viral sensation and forced us all to take personal inventory of why we show horses. “Ultimately,” Keathly eloquently stated, “when it comes to showing horses, the things that others might see as things we lose in this world are greatly outweighed by the things we gain.” Amen to that!
Click here for the 2nd most popular story on GoHorseShow for 2015
NUMBER 3
Judges Discuss Top 10 Fashion Mistakes with Stephanie Lynn
Published
Written by Stephanie Lynn for GoHorseShow
May is Fashion Month at GoHorseShow and in 2015 we spent much of the month discussing all facets of fashion in the show ring. The most popular fashion article was when judge Stephanie Lynn interviewed 10 other top judges about what they feel are the biggest fashion mistakes being made in the show pen. According to Lynn, “While no judge evaluates an exhibitor solely on their outfit, there is no doubt that what an exhibitor wears makes a difference in judges’ minds as they assess contestants.” This story caused a huge buzz and made it the third most popular story for 2015.
Click here for the 3rd most popular story on GoHorseShow for 2015
NUMBER 4
Legendary Stallion Zips Chocolate Chip Passes at 30
Published
One of our least favorite, yet extremely important, responsibilities at GoHorseShow is reporting the death of famous horses. The year 2015 saw the unfortunate passing of many great ones that we wrote about; Mr Magnolia Zip, Scotch Margarita, That Would Be Me, and Chocolate Zipper, just to name a few. However, the one that resonated the most with our readers and made it the fourth most popular story of the entire year was the legendary stallion, Zips Chocolate Chip. GoHorseShow broke the story of Chip’s passing in September at the age of 30. One of the finest sons of Zippo Pine Bar was loved by many, but none more than owner Ann Myers who bred, raised, owned and adored Chip until the end.
Click here for the 4th most popular story on GoHorseShow for 2015
NUMBER 5
Can You Say Wow? GoHorseShow’s Top-15 Congress Stall Fronts
Published
There’s only one All-American Quarter Horse Congress, and for many trainers, exhibitors, owners and horses, once a year is more than enough. A long-held tradition at the Congress is the decoration of stall fronts to represent each barn. After GoHorseShow writer visited each barn and looked carefully at all of the stall fronts and their details, she came up with a list of favorites. Our readers reacted in full force to this story. Some called them amazing, beautiful and impressive, while others thought they were tacky, uninviting and crazy. All of these opinions made this the 5th most popular story on GoHorseShow for 2015.
Click here for the 5th most popular story on GoHorseShow for 2015
NUMBER 6
Perfect Diagonals – How to Never Look Down Again with Holly Hover
Published
Written by for GoHorseShow
Apparently one of the hardest maneuvers for equestrians to learn is how to pick up the correct diagonal. With insightful input and analysis from renowned judge, Holly Hover, easy to follow information from our writer, Chenay Jordan-McDowell, and pictures from Sarah Elder Chabot, our readers made this educational story the sixth most popular story of the year.
Click here for the 6th most popular story on GoHorseShow for 2015
NUMBER 7
A Trainer’s Perspective: 15 Truths Every Horse Show Parent Must Consider
Published October 26, 2015
Written by Julie Kennedy for GoHorseShow
After dealing with an upset child in her barn, APHA trainer and multi-carded judge, Julie Kennedy of Eastover, South Carolina wrote a list of 15 fantastic tips for horse show kids. Kennedy’s advice struck a chord with our readers who embraced her common-sense approach to what she felt are things every parent needs to consider when their child rides. Her sage advice is the 7th most popular story on GoHorseShow for 2015.
Click here for the 7th most popular story on GoHorseShow for 2015
NUMBER 8
Published February 27, 2015
Written by Shelby Ratliff, GoHorseShow Intern
The eighth most popular story for 2015 was written by GoHorseShow Intern, amateur exhibitor, Shelby Ratliff. Shelby came up with a list of ten horse show “hacks” meaning any trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method that increases productivity and efficiency at the horse show. Shelby taught us that many household items such as WD-40, dryer sheets and Pledge spray could solve every-day problems that could be useful in your barn or at your next horse show.
Click here to read the 8th most popular story on GoHorseShow in 2015
NUMBER 9
Crundwell Loses Court Battle and Her Trophies
Published
Written by SaukValley.com
Rita Crundwell continues to make headlines and our readers are still interested enough to make this the 9th most popular story of the year. Three years after GoHorseShow broke the story to our industry of Crundwell’s arrest for embezzlement (the most popular story on GoHorseShow for 2012), people wanted to know what was going to happen to the 700+ trophies that were found on her property. U.S. District Court Judge Philip Reinhard ordered that she forfeit her collection of trophies and awards, her show clothes, and the remaining miscellaneous household goods and other personal items being held in storage in Wisconsin and Dixon, to help satisfy the $53 million-dollar debt she owes her hometown.
Click here to read the 9th most popular story on GoHorseShow in 2015
NUMBER 10
Kruzin to a Comeback: Gelding Overcomes Devastating Accident to Show at Congress
Published October 20, 2015
GoHorseShow’s coverage of The All American Quarter Horse Congress is always a huge traffic generator for our website. In this feel-good story, GoHorseShow writer and amateur exhibitor, Liz Arnold takes our readers through the amazing Congress comeback story. At the Congress in 2014, Pretty Much Kruzin suffered one of the worst accidents many at the Congress say they’ve ever seen. But he was back to show in 2015 thanks to people who came together to lend a hand in a desperate situation proving that miracles still happen and dreams can be made.
Click here to read the 10th most popular story on GoHorseShow in 2015
