Laura Gilmer

Select Amateur Maggie Bellville of Atlanta, Georgia is moving into a new chapter of her life. The Harvard Business school graduate now runs her own consulting company; has some new horses, and is still dealing with the passing of her husband, Lew. GoHorseShow sat down with this amazing businesswoman and exhibitor to find out what she has been up to lately and her  insight into how to improve the horse industry.

Carolyn Day of Corpus Christi, Texas has been on a fast learning curve when it comes to showing horses on a national level. This 18 year-old is looking forward to showing at the Congress for the first time. Day and her horse, Dont Skip My Good Image (Farmer), will be showing in the novice all around events including: horsemanship, western pleasure, trail, western riding, equitation, hunter under saddle, and showmanship under the guidance of Reid Thomas.

McKenzie Merrill of Dallas, Texas has been involved with horses ever since she was born. Her parents, Frank and Robin Merrill, are considered the closest to royalty as any family involved in the industry. While McKenzie is still involved with showing cutting and cow horses, she is not involved in AQHA as much as she was growing up. GoHorseShow wanted to know what else she has been up to these past few years and what her plans are for the future.

Most Select Amateurs would not change their riding disciplines at the pinnacle of their show careers, but husband and wife, Jay and Julie Cain, are not your average select riders, nor couple. In addition to that, this couple will be showing a mother and daughter team in the Novice Amateur and Select Amateur hunter events at the All American Quarter Horse Congress.

Amateur Competitor Brittany Boyd and Dont Skip My Charms have been successful in their show careers so far---but they have unfinished business. Chester had colic surgery in January, 2010 resulting in a slow recovery--leaving Brittany feeling unprepared going into the Congress and World later that year. However, in 2011, things are looking up for Boyd and Chester and they have considerable momentum going into these two major shows.

Back in the 80's and 90s, the Mackenzie sisters, Michele and Heather, were leading exhibitors who competed on the AQHA circuit. When they showed, I was a young girl and remembered them being tall, blonde, beautiful…..and from California. When I think back, I clearly remember thinking that these sisters epitomized "cool" without even trying.

Select Amateurs, Ronnie and Vickie Kent of Graceville, Florida have been on a roller coaster ride of highs and lows over the past two years. Exactly two years ago this month, the Kent's show horses, Won Ona Rv Version and Ill Be RV Radical died in a trailer accident. Then, this past weekend, their two year-old, Won Lopin RV Machine, won the Reichert Two Year-Old Challenge. 

Al Be Graceful has been dominating the three year-old hunt seat futurities this season with owner Adria Smith and open rider, Trisha Yamber. Affectionately known as "Allie”, this 2008 bay mare by Allocate Your Assets out of Polished Grace just won the SIF Three Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle and was Reserve Champion in the Signature Three Year-Old and Over Hunter Under Saddle at the Reichert Celebration.

Two year-old mare, Ultra Lazy, may have had a rough start in life but this talented pleasure mare has quickly turned into a champion. The bay mare by Lazy Loper and out of Ultra Investment is owned by Michelle Farmer of Elkhorn, Nebraska. This new team was Reserve Champions at the Reichert Celebration in the Two Year-Old Ladies $1000 Western Pleasure Stakes, Midwest Owner/Rider Non Pro Limited Two Year-Old Western Pleasure, and the 10k and Under Limited Two Year-Old Stakes.

Fourteen year-old Janet Brooks is a multi-talented youth exhibitor who loves to perform, and not just in the show arena. This high school sophomore from Laurel Hill, Florida also has an amazing voice and has been singing ever since she can remember.

Seventy two year-old select exhibitor, Betty Watt, is not your average grandmother of five. This busy lady uses an iPad, and is riding horses while most people her age consider golf a strenuous activity. Betty wasn't sure whether she would make it to the Select World this year due to an accident that fractured and displaced her pelvis, but, she was determined to make it to the show, and she did!

"We are all falling apart at this age," Select Exhibitor Linda O'Brien says and laughs when talking about being a cancer survivor and wanting to still show at the Select World this year. "By this time in people's lives, most have had to overcome obstacles and illness to do what we love. We definitely appreciate things more and realize that the time we have on this earth is precious and fleeting."

While at the AQHYA World Show, GoHorseShow was excited to witness some amazing performances from up-and coming riders. In this specific case, these young exhibitors also happen to be the children of some of the top trainers in the country. We asked Kaylee Mellott, Klay McDowall, Austin and Calyn Halvorson, Taylor Searles, Kaylee Rampey, Shea Graham, and Deanna Green about their World Show experience.