In the final installment of our six-part series on what it takes to win a World Championship title Indiana sisters Preslee and Rory Tauer talk about the difficulty in finding success in a class as complicated as Trail. They know a little something about that topic as both won World Championship titles in Trail at the Appaloosa Youth World Show last year – on the same day – with Invited For Chocolat.

Capturing a World Championship title in any breed association takes a lot. Determination, hard work and a little luck all play a big part. But how wonderful, and unusual would it be for two sisters to both win those titles on the same day?

That’s exactly what happened at the 2025 Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) Youth World Show, held in Oklahoma City.

Preslee and Rory Tauer, daughters of Ginny and Andy Tauer, of Monrovia, Indiana each took home a winning title in Trail with Invited For Chocolat (Ted), their family’s 2018 red roan, gelding sired by Chocolatey and out of A Goodbar Invitation.

Thirteen-year-old Rory went first winning the 13 & Under Youth Trail and Preslee, 16, followed that accomplishment up with a win of her own in the Youth Trail 14-18 just a few hours later.

Preslee Tauer

To prepare for the Appaloosa Youth World Show both girls spent many weeks and weekends at their then trainer, Taylor Pearson’s facility in Woodburn, Kentucky.

“During this time, we set up various parts of the Trail pattern and slowly mastered each piece ensuring that Ted, my sister and I were confident with each maneuver,” Preslee explained. 

With Trail classes slated for the very end of the show day, the sisters knew Ted would be tired so they focused on keeping him engaged yet slow and careful throughout the course.

“I also knew that my run was going to go after my sister so I made sure not to overprepare for the pattern so that Ted would not be anticipating or rushing the maneuvers for my go,” Preslee said.

For her, the most challenging part of the pattern was the lope-over sections.

“There were three long and tedious sets of lope poles in the pattern,” she explained. “The most difficult part for me was getting the correct strides and cadence through the logs.”

But Preslee has a lot of confidence in her horse and in their preparation.

“I think what set us apart from other competitors is that I showed with a long drape and did my best to show each maneuver to its highest degree of difficulty,” she said.

Preslee encourages other youth competitors who dream of winning a World Championship title in Trail to just be the best they can be.

“The most important piece of advice I could offer youth competitors on how they could win a World Championship in Trail is to put in the work at home,” she said. “That way you can come to the show and be fully prepared and have trust in yourself, your trainer and your horse.”

Rory Tauer

Rory Tauer has an interesting way of looking at a Trail course.

“Every time I go into the Trail pen I think of the pattern like Candyland and it makes it easier for me to remember the pattern,” she said.

Rory relied on that blueprint when she guided Ted through the 13 & Under Youth Trail course at the World Show.

“I wanted to stay calm and focus on one obstacle at a time,” she explained. “I would not think about the next maneuver until I had completed the one I was on.”

For Rory, the biggest challenge was keeping her horse slow on the left lead lope overs. 

And she counts on Ted’s experience when necessary.

“He is extremely careful over the poles and he rarely splits a pole,” Rory said. “He knows how to gauge his strides extremely well. He is also really cute at the gate because he is small, very careful and slow. In the box he is really zippy and turns super fast.”

Last year marked Rory’s 10th appearance at an Appaloosa Youth World Show. Her first year there she showed in Lead Line at the age of four. She started showing Trail in the Walk-Trot Division and then competed in 13 & Under for two years with Ted.

“He is very funny to be around,” she said. “He picks up everything with his teeth. He likes to rest his head on your shoulder and he loves chickens – like live ones. They are his best friends! He also eats all of his pajamas. He literally can pull off a slinky faster than any other horse in the world. If you wrap his legs they have to be duct taped or he will chew them all off.”

Rory says she is fortunate to share the horse show experience with her sister and admits it has its perks.

“My sister has been really successful and so I want to be as successful as she is,” Rory admitted. “What I really like is when I beat her in Showmanship.”

When asked what encouragement her sister gives her as she prepares to enter a class Rory said: “She usually will tell me how to make Ted be better. And, she tells me ‘don’t suck’ every time I go in the pen.”

Rory also had some advice for other youth competitors hoping to win at the highest level of competition.

“It takes a ton of practice to be ready and the more time you spend with your horse, the better your connection will be,” she said. “I never forget to have fun with my horse and I feed him tons of treats too.”