Pennsylvania Amateur competitor Ali Hubbell has never tried a discipline she didn’t like. From Showmanship and Horsemanship to Equitation to Trail, she’s shown in it. She even rode Saddle Seat and Dressage for a time on her first show horse, a leopard Appaloosa by the name of K Doc Holiday. “He did everything,” Hubbell said. […]
Anyone with even the slightest bit of experience in the show pen knows that there are many variables that go into the making of a champion. Conformation and genetics have big roles. And of course there’s the training aspect. But when you start with an animal that is a natural things just seem to fall […]
AQHA and NSBA competitors Drew DeBuhr and Brooke Granzow were married on Sept. 14, at the Haviland Residence in Urbandale, Iowa. Brooke graduated from Valley High School in Iowa and studied Animal Science at Iowa State University. She earned her MBA in Business Administration (Strategic Management) from Drake University. She competes as an Amateur and Non-Pro. […]
QHA and NSBA competitors Clay Arrington and Lexi Frencl were married on Aug. 31, at the French Farmhouse Venue in Collinsville, Texas. Frencl grew up in Illinois and competes in Amateur and Non-Pro events. Arrington grew up in Florida and is the son of professional trainers Ricky and Christie Hill Arrington, of Graceville, Florida. Clay established […]
They laugh about it now but Gracie Robertson’s parents, Mark and Katie Robertson knew they were in trouble pretty much the first time she ever sat on a horse. Since they themselves showed American Paint Horse Association (APHA) as kids and actually met showing horses, they were careful not to push Gracie in that direction […]
For 28-year-old Justin Melvin there are no “one size fits all methods” when it comes to training horses. “I like to learn what works for each horse specifically,” he explained. “Some horses may learn more quickly than others and some may need to be started a little slower.” Melvin became seriously involved with show horses […]
Multiple Congress Champion and Reserve American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Champion producer Hot Diggity Joe was humanely euthanized on Friday in Ocala, Florida, following a brief battle with congestive heart failure. The 1998 sorrel stallion, sired by Blazing Hot and out of Jodie Fivette, was bred by and owned his entire life by Kerry […]
When she was just a kid, growing up in rural Brill, Wisconsin, Ann Lapacinski was lucky to share a passion for horses and showing with her mother. “When I was in kindergarten I can remember getting picked up by my mom on our old horse Rusty who was a Quarter Horse/Welsh Pony cross and we […]
If you are watching the Amateur Hunter Under Saddle or Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle Maturity at the National Snaffle Bit Association’s World Championship Futurity this month or at the Quarter Horse Congress, it will be easy to spot Amanda Smith. She will be the one with the big smile on her face, courtesy of her […]
“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” – Michael J. Fox. For the Herman Family, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, nothing could be closer to the truth. It’s what defines them, both inside the show arena and out. The Hermans have patriarch Dr. Robert Herman to thank for their love of horses and competition. He was […]
This is an important year for Blacklick, Ohio Amateur competitor Jessica Balo. It marks her transition into all-around competition and her trainer, Missy Thyfault found the perfect partner for her in Absolutely Krymsun (Goose). Goose is a 2018 bay gelding by One Hot Krymsun out of Absolutely Luxurious who was bred by Karen Hurtgam. “Missy […]
Close your eyes for just a moment and imagine Elle Woods from Legally Blonde as a horse. What you will have is Alexis Gooding’s 3-year-old Western Pleasure contender Snazzy Lil Machine (Molly). Alexis and her husband, Austin, purchased the 2021 sorrel mare by Machine Made out of Lazy Lil Me, last April from her breeders […]