Some of the most talented 3-year-old American Quarter Horses will demonstrate their versatility at the AQHA Pleasure Versatility Challenge, held during the 2024 AQHA and Select World Championship Shows in Oklahoma City. Total purse for the event, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, is anticipated to be $50,000, plus prizes again in 2024. […]
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 […]
Western Pleasure. In terms of entries, it’s traditionally been one of the most popular classes at American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and American Paint Horse Association (APHA) and other breed association events. Large purses and prestigious titles have traditionally drawn big numbers to the pen to be evaluated on quality of movement. The National Snaffle […]
“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 […]
A total of 19 unshown Western Pleasure prospects are slated to compete for a total purse of $46,125 in the Virginia Maiden 3-Year-Old & Over Open Western Pleasure Slot Class later today at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. The winner will collect $10,053.52 and the class will pay all the way down to 10th place. […]
Some things are just meant to be and Lincoln, Nebraska Amateur competitor Debby Brehm’s recent teaming with the AQHA show mare, Ima Golden Machine (Mac) is one of them. Bred by Stuart and Karen Banstra, of Pella, Iowa, Ima Golden Machine, a 2017 palomino by Machine Made out of Ima Golden Pleasure was previously owned […]
The fashion world has gone western. Even GQ magazine contributor Chris Black said in a recent column that although he grew up in Georgia he never wanted to rock a big belt buckle and boots – until now! He wrote….“In the world that I inhabit today, however, nothing is cooler than dressing like a cowboy. […]
Since the day he was born, Forever Twisted, Nancy Ditty’s entry for this year’s 3-Year-Old & Over Western Pleasure Slot Class at the March To The Arch this month in Fort Worth, Texas, has been reminding her of life’s most important lesson. Never give up. The 2021 bay gelding, sired by Gone Viral out of […]
It’s breeding season and in print, social media and conversations across the United States and abroad, it’s stallions, stallions, stallions. Who sires the best dispositions? Can I duplicate that stallion’s balance and topline? What get to trainers prefer? But what about the mares? As most savvy breeders agree, the dam contributes more to a foal […]
Sixteen-year-old Ava Hathaway, of Coldwater, Michigan knows all too well what a roller-coaster ride showing horses at the top level can be. She’s had her share of bumps along the way but staying focused, patient and determined she has also learned that there are just as many high points as there are lows. Like many, […]
