Rodney is kind and sweet. He gives rides to little children and loves peppermints. Coco is super smart. He will do anything for a hug and he too enjoys a peppermint now and then. Lucky s a mellow fellow. He has been known to nibble on things but is very content just doing his job.

These are Katherine Tobin’s show parters and the Scottsdale, Arizona competitor says she is blessed to have these horses in her life.

“I’m very thankful for these three horses and all the wonderful horses I’ve been blessed with over the 50-plus years I’ve been showing,” she insists.

If you have watched her compete you will recognize Rodney. His real name is More Radical, a 2004 bay gelding by Radical Rodder and out of Zip Me Some More. Tobin shows More Radical in Amateur Select Trail and Western Riding. They won the Western Riding at the 2013 AQHA Amateur Select World Show.

Tobin purchased RA Undisputed (aka Coco) from Diana Davidson in August of 2013. She is currently showing the 2006 sorrel gelding by Chips Hot Chocolate and out of Are You Zipped in Amateur Select Trail, Western Riding and Horsemanship and has already captured numerous circuit championships in Trail and Horsemanship, including one at the Sun and Surf Circuit in Del Mar, California this past May.

Tobin’s Hunter Under Saddle partner, Blameitonthe Alcohol (Lucky) is a 2011 bay gelding by Tobin’s Hunter Under Saddle sire Allocate Your Assets and out of Jazzy Details. Bred by Tobin’s trainers Jim and Deanna Searles, Blameitonthe Alcohol was fifth in the Congress Masters Hunter Under Saddle last year. They were Reserve Circuit Champions in Amateur Select Hunter Under Saddle at the Sun and Surf Circuit this year and won the 3&4-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle futurity class there.

The Sun and Surf Circuit is one of Tobin’s favorite shows.

“It is a very exhibitor friendly show,” she explains. “They really try to accommodate the exhibitor by their show scheduling and management.  They listen to everyone.  You can’t beat the gorgeous setting and sea breezes.  The ocean and world famous Del Mar race track are just down the street.  Del Mar even has a dog friendly beach right down from the show grounds.  The footing and stalls are great.”

Ask Tobin which are her favorite classes to show and she will tell you Trail and Western Riding.

“I like the challenges and patterns,” she explains. “Even though the Western Riding patterns don’t technically change, they actually do because the patterns are usually set differently width and lengthwise.  Trail is always a challenge because rarely do you ever do a Trail pattern twice.  There is a lot of quick thinking and maneuvering to keep us on our toes from start to finish.”

Tobin grew up in Prescott, Arizona, the daughter of Robert and Dudie Kieckhefer. She has a brother and two sisters, including fellow competitor Susan Johns.

Her father and grandfather owned a cattle ranch and they wanted great cow horses so her father went through the newly formed AQHA for registered Quarter Horses.

Her first experience showing a horse was with K4 Sissie, a 1951 chestnut mare by Johnny Boy out of Red Bird R (by Harry McCue) at an AQHA show in Prescott.

“She was one of the registered Quarter Horses dad had on his ranch,” Tobin explains. “Dad started the Prescott Quarter Horse Show in the late 40s to show case and help promote registered Quarter Horses.”

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in U.S. History at Arizona State University she met G.W. (Jerry) Tobin in graduate school and they were married in 1976. They have two adult children, Hayden and Harrison.

They split their residence between homes in Texas and Arizona and spend much of their time on the road at horse shows and although she says she has a lot of people to thank for the success and enjoyment she has found at shows, Tobin says it starts with her husband.

“He is always so positive and makes me laugh at my mistakes,” she insists. “He keeps me centered and tries to keep me positive too! Secondly, is my sister, Susie Johns, who also inspires me and encourages me to keep going.  Plus I try to ride as good as she does, so she impresses me with her riding.  Also Jim and Deanna are huge influences.  Their positive attitudes, encouragement, patience, and kind constructive criticism have pushed me to be as good as I can be. Plus they have found amazing horses for me to ride.  Also, I would thank my parents who started me showing and made me get back on after I’d fallen off.  They made me a better rider (because the horses they bought me were a bit rank) and to be a good sport (to win and lose graciously).  I can’t thank them all enough for all they did for me and to Jerry, Susie, Jim and Deanna I also say ‘thank you’  more than words can say.”

In addition to Allocate Your Assets and the three horses Tobin is currently showing, over the years she has had the opportunity to own such talented individuals as:Flashy Attraction, HRZ Make Mine Gold, The Best Cookie and Just Burning Money and has no plans to give it up any time soon.

“My goals in horses and in the outside world are just to keep going,” Tobin says. “I love the mental and physical challenges of showing and that helps me in the outside world stay fit.”