When Anne-Marie Fortenberry, Farmerville, Louisiana, lost her beloved four-time American Paint Horse Association World Champion A Good Intention last year due to complications from a joint injection, she was completely devastated.

Her mother, Janet, was convinced Anne-Marie would never consider owning another horse.

“Mac was my once in a lifetime horse,” Anne-Marie says. ” I was so upset after losing him that I told everyone I didn’t want another horse or to ride again. I didn’t want to look at videos or even talk about getting another horse. I knew there would never be another Mac and I didn’t want to try to replace him.”

Although hesitant to try another horse as time passed, Anne-Marie started to miss her show friends and horses. Her long-time trainers Tim and Shannon Gillespie mentioned a horse they had previously trained The Only Kiss To Envy, a 2006 APHA/AQHA gelding by For You to Envy, possibly being a good fit in a new partner for Anne-Marie.

“I was really picky because of Mac but “Scottie” was so sweet and when I first rode him he didn’t do anything wrong. He was so perfect and willing for me,” Anne-Marie says. ” It was like a sign for me, I told myself I had to give this horse a chance and I am so glad I did!”

Only having Scottie since May, Anne-Marie has been at “bootcamp” for the past month at Tim and Shannon’s to prepare for the 2014 AjPHA Youth World Show in Fort Worth, Texas.

Today in their first appearance at the World Show, Anne-Marie and Scottie’s hard work paid off as the new team won the Showmanship 14-18. The win also marked Anne-Marie’s first title in Showmanship.

“It was absolutely unreal. I knew I had a solid pattern but you never know. It was so exciting,” Anne-Marie says.

Although the win is bittersweet, Anne-Marie says she wanted to win it for Mac.

“I was so hard on myself after Mac that I didn’t realize the cure for my heartbreak was Scottie. He heals me and has truly been a godsend,” Anne-Marie says.

With more competition to go, Anne-Marie is looking forward to competing in more events this week including Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Trail and Western Riding.

Other Showmanship winners today included:

14-18 Intermediate: Sensational Luxury and Meredith Milton

13 & Under: Chipped In Roses and Olivia Eagles

13 & Under Intermediate: Brooklyn Moch and Sensational Wow

The AjPHA Youth World Championship Show is featuring 97 classes this week at the Will Rogers Memorial Center.  More than $40,000 is up for grabs in a variety of events. In addition, the Power Performance High-Point Award will be presented to the exhibitor who accumulates the most points in cattle classes, goat tying, barrel racing, pole bending, stake race, ranch horse pleasure and reining.

For a schedule of AjPHA Youth World Championship Show events visit: http://ywcs.apha.com/schedule

Results are posted at: http://ywcs.apha.com/results