An abundance of applause filled the World Show stands on Monday for Sophia Herman of Walhalla, North Dakota, and her horse, The Slowsmobile, who she affectionately calls “Angus”. Sophie who was born with arthrogryposis, a condition of congenital joint contractures, warmed the hearts of the crowd as she and Angus entered the arena in the Amateur Performance Halter Geldings.

Because of the long track at the World Show, Sophie was unable to walk far enough and quickly enough to complete the L-shaped pattern at the jog. So, an exception was made for her to be able to stand at the second cone and lunge her horse around her in a circle to check for soundness. Everyone in the stands was extremely impressed with Angus’ ability to jog on cue around the cone on a loose lead for Sophie.

“At weekend shows where the track isn’t as long, Sophie is able to complete the pattern easier but here since the track is longer and the walk is further into the arena, we had to find a different way for her to compete,” said Sophie’s trainer, Jenna Mickelson of East Grand Forks, Minnesota.

In fact, Sophie and Angus made their World Show debut in Amateur Performance Geldings in 2011 when they first displayed their special tracking skills.

“When Sophie first bought Angus a few years ago, we discussed how she could compete in Halter. So, we cleared the tracking method with AQHA and trained him to be able to track around the cone,” Mickelson said.

After Angus was cleared for soundness yesterday, Sophie’s leg temporarily gave out and the ring stewards diligently attended to her by supplying a chair for her to rest on until exhibitors were cued to stand their horses up for inspection. At that point, Sophie was able to get up and demonstrate her horse throughout the rest of the class. Everyone was impressed with Sophie’s showing skills as she beautifully exhibited Angus.

“We weren’t expecting her legs to give out that quickly but were thankful for the ring steward’s help,” Mickelson said.

Besides showing in the Performance Halter at the Amateur AQHA World Show, Sophie and Angus also competed in the Amateur Trail this year.

“I really enjoy being able to show Angus at the World Show. I especially like the competition and plan to come back again in the future,” Herman said.

Sophie and Angus have shown extensively around home in Trail, Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, and Performance Halter. Their future goals include finishing up their Superior in Amateur Trail.

“He has just been a jewel for her. I found Angus in a field when he was 6 years old. He had some previous training but had no points. At 12 years old, he now has earned 3 AQHA Superiors and is an AQHA Champion. Sophie is the second owner I have trained him for,” Mickelson said.

Sophie’s condition, arthrogryposis, is described as joint contractures in two or more areas of the body. Battling the condition since birth, Sophie explains how her limbs were actually attached where her ankles were connected back behind her knees and her wrists were attached up by her elbows. She has undergone extensive amounts of surgery to have mobility in them. Although her leg strength is limited, Sophie explains that riding is actually easier for her than walking long distances at a time.

“Having enough leg pressure to cue Angus for different maneuvers is a challenge for Sophie riding, but I have to say her biggest challenge is working the gate in the Trail because he is big and her arms are short. She has to make sure she gets him close enough to the gate to be able to maneuver and latch it,” Mickelson said.

Although doctors predicted Sophie would never walk, she has beat all odds and started showing Quarter Horses when she was 8.

“My mom was involved in showing so that is how I got started. I started riding at age 6 and progressed to showing by 8,” Herman said.

“Angus has a special love for Sophie. He is better when she is at a show. He definitely knows the difference and acknowledges her presence. Sometimes when I am showing him in the open events, I will feel him quit paying attention if Sophie is standing on the rail where he can see her!” Mickelson said.