After selling her all-around horse, the next horse Courtney purchased, The Sky Rider, specialized in Hunter Under Saddle. It was because of “Hank” that Courtney developed a love for the class and would make it her focus in later years.

“The Sky Rider is the horse that has impacted me the most,” says Courtney. “Nancy Sue Ryan won the Open 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle at the Congress with Hank before we purchased him.  He was a great teacher and I won quite a bit with him including placing Top Five at the Congress several times. It’s because of Hank that the Hunter Under Saddle is still my favorite class.”

Prior to heading off to college at the University of Missouri – Columbia, Courtney sold her horse and for the next ten years focused on getting an education and building her career. After moving to the Midwest in 2008, where riding and showing was far more accessible, Courtney’s passion was reignited, and she has been showing ever since.

“After finishing school, I moved to Los Angeles where I didn’t really have the opportunity to ride,” explains Courtney. “Once I moved to the MIdwest it was pretty easy to find a place to go and just be around horses. That lasted a few months before I decided I really wanted to show again.”

Taking a ten-year hiatus from showing has given Courtney a deeper appreciation for the industry. “As a kid I was super shy. I think growing up with horses and competing at the shows really helped me build confidence and played a big part in the success I’ve been able to achieve in my career. Now as an adult, watching the youth at the shows, and recalling my own experiences, I really appreciate what horses and showing does for kids and what it did for me.”

Although Courtney says that many things were the same when she returned to showing, including the friendships that she had forged years earlier, in many ways it was also very different.

“I was amazed by how much the quality of the horses had improved when I came back,” shares Courtney. “They are so much more specialized now than when I showed as a youth. There are also so many more opportunities for both exhibitors and horses such as the Level 1 and Maiden classes. Ten years ago, there weren’t very many opportunities for a horse that wasn’t ready to compete as a two-year-old other than to step right into the three-year-old events. This year, having two horses who didn’t show as two-year-olds, I’m very grateful for all the new Maiden and Novice horse classes that are offered.” 

GOODFELLAZ

Goodfellaz is a 2020 gelding by Good Better Best out of Babe In The Irons and was bred by Michelle and Sheila Bauer. Courtney and her trainers Tim and Katy Jo Zuidema first saw “Greg” at the 2022 All American Quarter Horse Congress. Having recently sold her horse, Courtney was looking for a new futurity prospect and when she saw Greg, she knew he was the one. Tim and Katy Jo agreed, and they rode him and finalized the deal the same day.

Greg will make his debut with Katy Jo in the 3 & Over Maiden Hunter Under Saddle at The Premier. After that, Courtney will step into the irons to show him in the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle events.

“I showed a little bit in the three-year-old events last year, but prior to that most of my horses were Maturity horses” says Courtney. “I’m excited to have a futurity horse again. Not only is Greg big and pretty, but he’s such a gentle soul and extremely talented. At nearly 18 hands, he needed more time to grow-up and having a Maiden class a little later in the year was perfect for him. I’m very excited to watch Katy Jo show him and then show him myself.”

Although Katy Jo “retired” from showing the Hunter Under Saddle after winning the AQHA Reserve World Championship in 2020 with Hows That For Ya, she’s putting back on her breeches to show Greg, which says a lot.

“It was going to take a really special horse to get me to show the Hunter Under Saddle again,” says Katy Jo. “And Greg is really special. We call him our pet dinosaur because he’s huge and so good minded. Garth, Sonnesa and Austin Gooding did a great job bringing him along slowly as a two-year-old and it shows. I’m all about the third gear and this horse can canter. He’s really, really good legged and soft and truly great minded. And at 18 hands tall he is a true Hunter Under Saddle horse which I really appreciate. He’s the first Good Better Best that I’ve ridden and if they are all as good minded and talented as Greg, I’d be happy to ride and show more of them. I think Courtney is going to have a lot of fun with him this year.”

SUNDI COMIN DOWN

Aside from a few classes as a youth, Courtney has not shown much in the Western Pleasure, but last year she purchased Sundi Comin Down, a gorgeous bay 2020 stallion by Lazy Loper out of the great mare Hotroddin On Sundi who was bred by John Zuidema Jr. Although she wasn’t necessarily looking for a western horse, Tim and Katy Jo had been riding the colt and felt like it would be great opportunity for Courtney, who embraced the chance to try something new.

“It felt like a fun adventure” says Courtney. “The Western Pleasure today is very different than when I showed in it for the all-around as a kid. I don’t know if I’ll show ‘Timmy’ this year, but I’m looking forward to stepping into the pleasure arena in the future. The Hunter Under Saddle is always going to be my first passion, but I have a real appreciation for the Western Pleasure horses. I think diversifying and learning to ride a pleasure horse will make me a better rider in all disciplines.”

Timmy made his debut with Katy Jo in The Virginia Maiden 3 & Over Maiden Western Pleasure placing Top Five and earning a check for $3,800. He will continue to show in 3-Year-Old Open and Novice Horse events, although Katy Jo believes he has even greater potential as an all-around horse.

“He was a lot of fun to show in Virginia,” says Katy Jo. “He’s a great pleasure horse, but he has a gigantic future in the all-around events. I taught him to change leads in one day and he’s outstanding. He’s going to win a lot in the Western Riding in the future.”

LIFE BEYOND HORSES

As passionate as Courtney is about the horses, she is equally passionate about competing in AKC agility trials with her Sealyham Terrier, Auggie.

“My husband, Wayne, and I both love competing with Auggie in the agility trials,” shares Courtney. “Auggie is a lowrider but incredibly fast and driven. We lovingly call him White Lightening. I was the one who started out competing with Auggie, but I tore the gastrocnemius muscle in my calf during a competition last year and so Wayne stepped in for the next round and now he doesn’t want to give him back. But I really don’t mind since he’s extremely supportive of the horses, both the show horses as well as my retired show horse, Skipalilassets, and the two miniature horses and mini donkey we keep at home.”

When she’s not at a horse show or agility trial, and even frequently when she is, Courtney works for a Fortune 500 company where she leads global corporate communications for its pet division.

“I have a really cool job,” says Courtney. “I get to work across many different functions within the company and lead all our external PR. My job entails everything from major marketing campaigns, to working with celebrities, but also doing things like managing crises and reputation building. I’m in the pet care sector which is obviously a big passion of mine, and anything related to dogs or horses are kind of sweet spots. I’ve been in this industry for almost 18 years now. Prior to the company I am currently with, I worked for a large PR agency and worked in-house for some other consumer brands. I work non-stop and can frequently be seen on my phone working while I’m at the shows, but I absolutely love what I do.”

As a busy professional, the horses give Courtney a nice break from corporate America. Since making her return to the show arena, Courtney has worked with several different trainers, all of whom she credits with helping her become a better rider, but it wasn’t until she found her way to Katy Jo and Tim that Courtney finally felt at home.

“I’ve been training with Katy Jo, Tim and their assistant Becca Spellman for almost two years now, and I can honestly say this is the most fun I’ve had showing in a really, really long time,” shares Courtney. “With horses it can be kind of a roller coaster, but when you get on that ride with really good people who care about you and care about your horses, it kind of stabilizes the highs and lows. I just can’t say enough good things about them and their program and I’m so grateful to be in their barn. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the year.”

Been there, done that describes Jethro perfectly. He began his show career as a two-year-old in the Western Pleasure futurities, and by the end of his three-year-old year, Jethro had already earned Superiors in Showmanship, Trail, and Western Pleasure, and won an NSBA World Championship as well as several all-around titles. In 2018, Lisa Neiberger showed Jethro to win the Reserve World Championship in Horsemanship at the AQHA Amateur Select World Championship Show, and in 2020, Lauren Graves rode Jethro to win the Reserve Championship in Level 2 Horsemanship at the AQHYA World Championship Show. Over the years, Jethro has won numerous all-around and high point titles in Open, Amateur and Youth competition winning more than $52,000 in NSBA earnings and over 1,300 points to date.

For Brad Ost, teaming Morgan up with such an experienced horse was an easy decision. “When Lauren told us she wanted to sell Jethro, we really wanted to be able to keep him in the barn. We knew Morgan wanted to start showing in the all-around classes and putting her on one of the green horses that she had would have made it a lot harder for her to learn those events. We just felt like Jethro would be a great teacher and help prepare Morgan to show her other horses in the future.”

And Brad and Troy were right. Morgan recalls one of her first rides on Jethro, when she was still just thinking about buying him. Even though Morgan had never been taught how to change leads, when she when to change on him for the first time, Jethro did his job flawlessly. “I was getting ready to leave the World Show, so I was wearing leggings and tennis shoes and Troy asked me if I wanted to take Jethro out and ride him. After cruising around for a bit Troy told me to go across the middle and change leads. I really had no idea what I was doing or what buttons to push, but Troy talked me through it and Jethro was perfect. Since Western Riding has always been one of my favorite classes to watch and the one I most wanted to learn, that really sealed the deal.”

In addition to the Western Riding, Morgan is looking forward to showing Jethro in the Horsemanship, Trail and Equitation with their sights set on the Novice Amateur events at many of the major circuits including the NSBA World Championship Show and All-American Quarter Horse Congress.

“I’ve never shown in any of the all-around events before, so this is really going to be a learning year for me,” said Morgan. “Having only shown in the Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle, I’m definitely more comfortable with classes judged primarily on the horse as opposed to me, but I enjoy challenging myself.”

And Morgan is definitely challenging herself this year. Not only is she learning the western all-around events with Jethro, but she also showed in the Pleasure Driving for the first time at the Tampa and Venice circuits and has been taking jumping lessons with Hows That For Ya, who was the first Quarter Horse Morgan purchased. After successfully showing “Howdy” in the Hunter Under Saddle for the past two years, Morgan decided to send him to Florida to learn the jumping and driving with Tyler Haney. 

“In the past when I showed young horses, after their futurity years I either sold or retired them,” shares Morgan. “Howdy has a forever home with me, but he wasn’t ready to be retired, so Brad, Troy and I made the decision to send him to Tyler to continue his show career in some new events. Katy Jo Zuidema, who was Howdy’s trainer at the time we bought him and has continued to be a great partner in his show career, was the one who recommended Tyler to us, and I’m so glad she did. Tyler has done such a great job with him, and I had so much fun him showing in the Pleasure Driving. Tyler has been showing Howdy in the Working Hunter and Hunter Hack, but I’ll probably wait until next year. I’ve been taking lessons with Tyler and even though I jumped a little bit as a kid in Pony Club, I forgot how hard it is. It takes muscles I didn’t know I had but I think the jumping has really helped all my riding by making me stronger and more balanced. I always tell Tyler he has his work cut out for him with me, but he seems far more confident! I like to give myself grace in learning new things and I’m taking on a lot this year so for now I’m just going to keep taking lessons and work towards showing in the jumping next year.”

While Morgan is focused on learning new events, she has several young horses who are also expanding their repertoires including Congress Champion and Reserve Champion Got What I Got, and NSBA Reserve World Champion Made It In Time.

“One of the main reasons for purchasing Jethro was so that I can learn the all-around events on a seasoned horse and let Brad and Troy concentrate on training and showing ‘Annie’ and ‘Maren’ this year,” said Morgan. “They are both so talented in the Trail and Western Riding and I am looking forward to showing them in the future.”

Got What I Got is planned to make her Trail debut in the Premier Sires 3 & Over Maiden Trail at The Premier with Brad and has started changing leads. In addition to the Trail and Western Riding, Annie will continue to show in Amateur and Non-Pro Western Pleasure events with Morgan. Made It In Time has been showing in the Trail for the past two years, beginning as a three-year-old winning the NSBA Reserve World Championship in 3-Year-Old Open Trail. She will continue to show in Junior Trail classes this year with Brad.

“Both Annie and Maren are very special to me,” shares Morgan. “They have both been a lot of fun for me to show in the Pleasure and I could not be happier with the success I’ve had with them the last two years. As much as I love showing them, I also love watching Brad show them. I remember watching him show Annie in the 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure at the World Show and getting chills because she looked so good. I’ve really enjoyed watching them move on to the next step in their careers learning new events.”

Of course, a horse is only as good as the team behind them, and Morgan is quick to credit her trainers with helping both her and her horses succeed in the arena.

“Working with Brad and Troy is a lot of fun,” said Morgan. “They are both very good at what they do as well as teaching and explaining things to me. I’ve worked with them exclusively for the past three years so when we made the decision to send Howdy to Tyler, I was a little worried, but they have similar styles and all work very well together which makes it easier on me. It can be hard sometimes just because they are in different parts of the country and don’t always go to the same shows, but so far we’ve been able to make it all work. I feel very fortunate to work with all three of them and am very grateful for their support and guidance.”

And that sentiment is mutual. “When a customer first comes into the barn you never know how that relationship is going to develop,” said Brad. “With Morgan coming to us from the Appaloosas, we really didn’t expect her to jump into the Quarter Horse industry full force the way she has. It has been a lot of fun and we enjoy riding horses for her and are looking forward to being part of her next chapter in the all-around events.” 

“I am so grateful to Katy Jo, Nancy Sue, Jason, Ryan and everyone who played a part in Wally’s career,” said Marcie. “They all did a wonderful job and I’ve learned so much from all of them. Wally wouldn’t be the horse he is without each one of them.”

What Matters Most was officially retired from competition following the 2016 World Show with more than 130 points and over $27,900 in earnings. From Oklahoma City, Wally headed north to Michigan to begin his breeding career under the expertise of Kim and Shelley Donovan. After four years at BSB Quarter Horses, in 2021, Marcie made the decision to bring Wally home to her new M&M Ranch Holdings in Ocala, Florida so that she could spend more time with him.

As any veteran breeder will tell you, breeding is not for the faint of heart. But for people like Barb Miller, who have a passion for it, raising foals can be tremendously rewarding. Barb’s involvement in the equine industry began as a child, riding hunters and jumpers, however it wasn’t until she took a job working for Kathy Goodman that she started riding Quarter Horses and made the switch to Western Pleasure.

“I really learned a lot working for Kathy,” said Barb. “As I became more involved with the breeding side of Kathy’s operation, I eventually stopped going to shows. With more than forty broodmares to foal and breed, as well as standing several stallions, leaving the farm during breeding season really wasn’t an option. Sometimes things work out for the best because Kathy gave me an incredible education and sent me all over the country to vet schools and veterinary conferences to learn from industry leaders. I worked for her for fifteen years and am very much indebted to her.”

Even after leaving Kathy’s, Barb’s passion for breeding and raising foals never waned. In 2001, she and her husband, Mike, started Saddle Oak Farm with just one mare, Invested Pine Lady. Fast forward to today and Barb has three mares—Hope Four The Best, Better Lookin Lady, and Best Lookin Lady—and an impressive list of accolades as a breeder. Some of the most notable horses she has raised include Congress Champion and multiple NSBA World and Reserve World Champion MadeFourIt, Reserve Congress Champion and Tom Powers Champion KM SuddenFriedChikin, Reserve Congress Champion SomethingToHopeFour, APHA World Champion Im Good With It, Level 1 Champion Tweet That, and Level 1 Reserve Champion Due N My Best. Although she has a hard time picking a favorite horse, Barb’s proudest moment as a breeder occurred in 2021, when she was watching from the stands as MadeFourIt unanimously won the 3-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure at the All American Quarter Horse Congress.

“Even after foaling out hundreds of mares, each time it’s special,” said Barb. “With the help of my husband, I do all of the breeding, ultrasounding, foaling, everything, and while that’s not always easy, it’s definitely worth it to watch a foal I have raised grow up and go on to achieve success in the show arena, especially at the Congress is just incredible.”

Although the joy and pride she gets from breeding and raising foals has always remained constant, throughout the years Barb as seen the industry evolve in several ways.

“Years ago, large breeding operations were much more common, but today very few of those are still in business and most of the rest have reduced the size of their operation,” said Barb. “I think the breeding industry has made the shift to focusing on quality over quantity. Embryo transfers have also become routine, allowing a breeder to have just one good mare and still produce multiple foals a year.”

For Barb, the focus on quality begins with her carefully curated band of broodmares, two of whom she bred and raised, and extends to selecting the stallions she breeds to.

“All three of my mares are daughters of RL Best Of Sudden, so I guess you could say I’m a little partial to him,” said Barb. “When choosing stallions, I really try to look at what my mares can improve on and pick studs that complement them rather than focusing on a stallion’s popularity. If I like how a horse is bred and how it moves, and I think he will cross well with my mare, I’m going to breed to him even if he is not the current ‘flavor of the month.’ The most popular stallion is not always going to be the best cross for your mare and I think sometimes people lose sight of that and then end up disappointed when it doesn’t work out. You can breed a great one to a great one but that doesn’t mean you will get a great one. As a small breeder it’s important to make sure your priority is always trying to better what you have and not get lost in everything else.”

When Barb first started breeding her own mares, it was commonplace for trainers and buyers to log hundreds of miles and countless hours in the truck, scouring the country for the best prospects. In the last decade, the internet has drastically changed the way people look for horses, much to the advantage of small breeders.

“It used to be that if you weren’t a big breeding farm or well-known breeder, or you didn’t live in a certain part of the country, it was hard to get people to come to your farm and look at horses,” said Barb. “I struggled to get noticed when I started breeding. The first time Cole Baker came to my farm, I remember feeling like I was finally somebody. But now, thanks to the internet and social media, it’s much easier for those of us who are small breeders to market our foals.”

Even though she believes that if you are putting out a good product, it no longer matters where you live, five years ago, when Barb moved from Florida, where she was in an area heavily populated with horses and equestrians, to Tennessee, she briefly worried that she would have a harder time selling her foals. That move became an opportunity for Barb to focus on marketing, something she thinks is often overlooked by small breeders.

“It’s not just about having a good horse, but you also have to market them well,” said Barb. “Good pictures and videos go a long way in garnering interest and selling horses. I dedicated a lot of time to learning how to take good pictures and videos and thanks to the vast audience on the internet, that has really paid off for me. I have sold many horses that people never came and saw in person before buying. I often hear from other breeders how they feel discouraged by the amount of interest, or lack thereof, their horses are getting. Marketing really is a big part of this business and it’s an area where you must be your own toughest critic. It may take more than one attempt to get great photos or videos, and that can take a lot of time and effort, but it’s important. It doesn’t matter how good your horses are if you aren’t presenting them well.”

But even if a breeder breeds a quality prospect and markets them well enough to catch the eye of a top exhibitor or trainer, there is still no guarantee of success. The breeder and their role in raising the horse is just one small piece of the puzzle.

“As breeders, I think it is important to remember that not every horse fits every program and that so many pieces have to come together in the right way and at the right time for a horse to become a champion,” said Barb. “A great horse can be sold to a great owner and end up with a great trainer, but the stars still have to align. And if they don’t, it doesn’t mean you didn’t breed a great horse.”

Beyond encouraging breeders to focus on how they are marketing their horses and reminding them that success in the arena takes far more than just breeding a great prospect, the best advice that Barb has for other small breeders is the best piece of advice that she herself once received: Just don’t give up.

“In the breeding business, you are going to have good days and bad days, good years and bad years,” said Barb. “When things don’t go according to plan or you don’t feel like your work and effort are being recognized, it’s easy to get discouraged and want to quit. I’ve had plenty of heartbreak over the years and moments where I wondered if I should stop breeding, but it’s my passion and so I keep pushing forward. Breeding is not easy. You have to take the highs with the lows, but if you love what you are doing then you just can’t give up.”

And heeding her own advice, Barb doesn’t plan to quit any time soon. She is looking forward to continuing to breed her small but mighty band of broodmares.

“The goal when I first started breeding was to try and produce the best horses that I could and get them in the right hands,” said Barb. “Like every breeder, I had dreams of breeding a Congress or World Champion. Even having achieved that dream, my goal is still the same as when I started. Each year I am still just striving to produce the best foals I can.”

Stacy Huls recalls watching Judy and Zion show and being impressed by how big and strong he was even as a two-year-old. “He had so much size and body and was just so strong that he really stood out as a two-year-old. On top of that he was just so pretty and such a good mover that he really caught my eye.”

Stacy continued to watch Zion through the first part of his three-year-old year and when her customers Matt and Kayla Budine began looking for a new horse, Zion quickly became the obvious choice.

“Kayla has a couple of hunter under saddle horses that she has had quite a bit of success with, but we’ve shown them a lot over the last few years and it’s time for them to get a little break,” said Stacy. “We bought Zion to be Kayla’s amateur horse. She’ll show him in the Amateur and Non-Pro events next year and the plan is to stand him after that.” 

Matt and Kayla finalized the purchase of Zion at the NSBA World Show. A few days later Stacy showed him in the 3-Year-Old Limited Open Hunter Under Saddle, placing third. They are currently in Oklahoma City preparing to compete at in the 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes and Junior Hunter Under Saddle at the AQHA World Championship Show.

“He always shows even better than he warms up,” said Stacy. “He’s just a fun horse to ride and I’m looking forward to getting Kayla on him next year. I think they are going to make a great team and she’s going to have a lot of fun with him.”

Kayla can’t wait to get in the saddle. “I’m so happy that my dad and I were able to purchase Zion this year. He is such a beautiful, natural mover and it’s always exciting when you get to show a horse with so much talent. I’m so thankful to my dad for always being supportive of my dreams and giving me the opportunity to ride a horse like Zion.”

PRESTIGIOUS PEDIGREE

If there is any doubt that Iron Lion Zion was bred to be both a show horse and sire, just look at the maternal side of his pedigree.

Zion’s maternal grandam, Ready To Dance, was the 1996 AQHA High Point Hunter Under Saddle Champion and earned 101 AQHA Open Hunter Under Saddle points during her show career. But her produce record is even more impressive. She has eleven foals, ten of whom are performers earning a combined 1,962 AQHA points and over $91,500 in NSBA earnings. Her most notable progeny include AQHA World Champion Dont Ya Wanna Dance, Congress Champion and AQHA Reserve World Champion These Irons R Dancin, and Zion’s dam, Reserve Congress Champion These Irons R Ready. Zion is her first foal. 

“There have been so many great show horses and producers that have come from Ready To Dance,” said Kayla. “These Irons R Dancin is a full sister to Zion’s dam, These Irons R Ready, and she has produced horses like Hubbout A Dance and Heza Dancin Hubba. His maternal line is just incredible, and we all know how much that plays a part in breeding.”

Stacey shares Kayla’s sentiments. “Whether I’m breeding or buying a young prospect, the maternal line is as much or more important to me than the sire. Zion’s granddam has an incredible produce record and if Zion is any indication, These Irons R Ready is going to carry on that legacy as a great producer. I think his maternal line is something that is really going to appeal to breeders when the time comes to stand him.”

A FATHER DAUGHTER BAND

Father and daughter duo, Matt and Kayla Budine, have owned a number of successful hunter under saddle horses, including Vinn Diesel, who Kayla showed to win the Level 2 Amateur Hunter Under Saddle at the 2020 AQHA World Championship Show as well as the BCF 4-6 Year Old Hunter Under Saddle the same year, and Made In The South, who she showed to a Reserve Championship in the Level 2 Amateur Hunter Under Saddle at the AQHA World Show in 2021, but Zion is their first stallion.

“Buying a stallion was not something we had planned on,” said Kayla. “But buying Zion was an opportunity that we couldn’t pass up. We have a lot to learn about the breeding side of the industry, but we are fortunate to have many experienced friends and mentors to learn from, especially our trainer Stacy. Both my dad and I are so grateful for all that she does for us and Zion.”

And that gratitude goes both ways.

“I really enjoy riding horses for Matt and Kayla, especially Zion,” said Stacey. “I think he’s got a very bright future ahead. He’s good minded, he’s pretty, he’s a good mover, he’s got size and is structurally correct, and he’s got great bloodlines. He checks all of the boxes that you look for in a stallion.”

“Sonny didn’t do anything fast,” said Maddie. “That was probably a good thing for me back then. He was a great babysitter and taught me a lot about riding and showing.”

With the Hunter Under Saddle being a little bit more Maddie’s speed, the family eventually purchased Fashion Statemant, the horse Maddie has shown for the past two years. From the beginning, they were a formidable team. The Tom Powers Futurity was their first show together, and Maddie and “Romeo” won all three of their Hunter Under Saddle classes unanimously.

“The Tom Powers was a highlight for me,” said Maddie. “To win all three of our classes at our very first show together was an accomplishment that I am very proud of.”

In addition to their success at the Tom Powers, Maddie and Romeo won the Level 2 Hunter Under Saddle at the AQHYA World Championship Show in 2021 and were also the NSBA World Champions in the Novice Youth and Color Youth Hunter Under Saddle that same year. Following the 2021 All-American Quarter Horse Congress, where they placed third in the Youth 12-14 Hunter Under Saddle, Maddie brought Romeo home to the family’s farm in Maryland to spend more time practicing the all-around events with him. After winning several all-around titles together, Maddie made the difficult decision to sell Romeo and switch her focus to the Western all-around events.

“Romeo is such a special horse,” said Maddie. “I’m really happy that he’s in Shannon’s barn where I get to see him at all the shows. His new owner is the sweetest girl and I absolutely adore her. She loves Romeo as much as I do. They’ve had a lot of success together already and it’s been so much fun to cheer them on.”

SWITCHING GEARS

As a freshman in high school, Maddie is already thinking about her future. One of her goals is to ride for a collegiate team.

“Moving up to the 14-18 division this year, I really wanted to focus on the western events, primarily the Horsemanship,” said Maddie. “I definitely want to ride in college, so this is a step in achieving that dream.”

The family’s search for a western all-around horse for Maddie, eventually led them to North Dakota. Their trainer, Shannon Walker, had found a 7-year-old gelding in Brett Clark’s barn that she thought would be the perfect fit.

“We booked the next flight to North Dakota,” said Maddie’s mom, Deanna. “Shannon and Brett both spoke so highly of this horse that we didn’t want to waste any time.”

It didn’t take long for Maddie, Deanna, and Shannon to agree that they had found the perfect horse. The Best Ryde, better known as Ziggy, is sired by RL Best Of Sudden out of Invite Me Breeze. Although he hadn’t been shown much, at the very first show they took Ziggy to, he won the Open High Point with Shannon. At their second show together, which was the NSBA World Show, Maddie and Ziggy won the Show Your Colors Youth All-Around.

“I definitely wasn’t expecting to win the All-Around,” said Maddie. “I only got to show Ziggy one time at a small show in Nebraska before the NSBA World Show, so we were still just getting to know each other. I was so honored and surprised to hear my name called. I’m very excited to start our career on such a high note.”

The next two months will be busy for Maddie and Ziggy. They have plans to attend several shows this month to practice as much as possible before the All-American Quarter Horse Congress. As anyone who has horses in training outside of their home state knows, it takes a big commitment to develop a partnership with your horse when they are hundreds of miles away.

“It definitely takes a lot of planning to make sure both Maddie and Allie get enough time to practice with their horses while balancing school and family time,” said Deanna. “Between time spent at Shannon’s practicing and going to shows, Maddie will only be home six days this entire month. It’s definitely a big commitment and sacrifice but one that our family believes is worth making in order for Maddie to follow her dreams.”

At this year’s Congress, Maddie and Ziggy will be competing in the Youth 12-14 western all-around classes. Maddie is also looking forward to donning her English attire to compete in the Level 1 Youth 14-18 Equitation, a class she has been working hard to perfect.

The Congress will also be special because it is one of the last times that Maddie and her younger sister Allie, will compete in the same age division, at least for the next few years. This will be Allie’ first year in the Youth 12-14 division, and Maddie’s last year before moving up to the 15-18 division next year.

“Because the Congress is the only show to offer the 12-14 division, this is one of the few times that we will get to compete against each other,” said Maddie. “We are both very competitive but also very supportive of one other, so I think it will be a lot of fun.”

“I just hope they aren’t in the same splits,” said Deanna. “If they are, I won’t know which way to look! Last year Maddie only showed in the Hunter Under Saddle, so she was there to support her sister in every single class, helping Allie win four Congress Championships. This year, they will still be making the walk to the arena together, only this time they will both be going to compete.”

OUTSIDE OF THE ARENA

When Maddie is not busy showing, she works hard helping run the family’s boarding facility. Their farm in Maryland is currently home to 14 horses and 2 miniature horses, 11 of which are owned by boarders.

“I really enjoy helping run our boarding facility,” said Maddie. “It’s taught me a lot about horses and about running a business.”

Beyond horses, Maddie enjoys baking, especially cupcakes, and decorating, with Christmas being her favorite holiday to dress the house up for. For a family who spends a lot of time on the road with Maddie and Allie showing horses, and their brother, Jackson, showing cattle, Christmas is a season for the family to slow down and enjoy time at home together around the fireplace.

“The holiday season is a welcome change of pace for our family,” said Deanna. “For a few weeks we get a break from all of the travel and enjoy time at home on the farm together.”

Family means everything to the Rippeons. As the middle child, Maddie is often seen as the glue that holds everyone together. Although she is extremely independent and driven, Maddie is also quick to put others first, especially her siblings. Just recently, Maddie was adamant about adjusting her own show schedule to watch her brother compete with his cattle at the Junior Nationals. Of course, this didn’t surprise her mother because that’s just who Maddie is.

“Maddie is such a strong, kind, and thoughtful kid,” said Deanna. “She amazes me daily with how capable she is both inside and outside of the show arena. Even though she is only fourteen, she carries herself with the confidence and poise of someone much older. She is extremely supportive of her brother and sister in their endeavors, while working hard to follow her own dreams. She makes me proud to be her mom.”

Allie’s show career began when she was just four years old in Leadline classes with her first horse, The Terms Are Sonny. Allie’s mother, Deanna, fondly remembers Allie jogging ‘Sonny’ on the rail in the arena pretending to show. Even then she did her best to capture the attention of those watching. It wasn’t long before Allie graduated to the Walk-Trot classes. Sonny did everything and he did it all well. He taught Allie a lot about riding and showing before enjoying a well-earned retirement at the Rippeon’s farm in Maryland.

Determined to help Allie accomplish her goals for her last year in Walk-Trot, the Rippeons purchased Famous N Foolish from Shannon Walker and Hannah Lind. Allie and Calvin won the Small-Fry All-Around at every show they went to that year. Together they won NSBA World Championships in the Small-Fry Horsemanship, Showmanship and Equitation. Allie concluded her Walk-Trot career winning a Congress Championship in the Small-Fry Showmanship and being named the Small-Fry Reserve High Point Champion.

“Calvin was a phenomenal horse,” said Deanna. “The year we showed Calvin, both Allie and her sister, Maddie, won Congress Championships in the Showmanship with him. Those were moments that our family will cherish forever. We are so happy that he now belongs to the Cook family. He’s the perfect horse for their three daughters and we have so much fun cheering them on.”

COURAGE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

With her Walk-Trot career coming to an end, the Rippeons began searching for a horse that Allie could be competitive on in the Novice Youth events. Eventually they found and purchased Play On. Although the mare had only been shown in Western Pleasure and Western Riding, within a matter of weeks, Allie and “Roxy” made their horsemanship debut, placing first under several judges. However, what looked to be the beginning of a great partnership, quickly turned to tragedy.

Shortly after purchasing Roxy, a freak incident sidelined her from the show arena. Eventually the Rippeons decided to bring Roxy home to Maryland to continue their efforts to rehab her. While Roxy was at home, Allie assumed nearly all responsibility for her care. During that time, she and Roxy developed a special bond. They would even share Twizzler’s, each eating from one end, much like the spaghetti scene in “Lady and The Tramp.”

“She was a one-person horse, and Allie was her person.” said Deanna. “She had so much heart, and so much love for ‘her kid,’ that I don’t think we really knew how much pain she was in for a long time.”

“Roxy and I had a bond that she didn’t have with anyone else,” said Allie. “She liked everyone, but I was her favorite. She was the sweetest horse and I loved her so much.”

Despite everyone’s best efforts, Roxy’s condition deteriorated until the most humane thing to do was end her suffering. It was eleven-year-old Allie who recognized the mare’s pain and told her mom that she thought it was time.

“When I answered the phone, I heard silence followed by a deep sigh and then Allie said, ‘Mom, I think it’s time,’” shared Deanna. “I’m so proud of how Allie handled that situation. She could have easily been disappointed about not being able to show, but she kept a great attitude and put the well-being of her horse first. She took the lead in caring for Roxy and even now, more than a year later, it’s still hard for her to talk about. For her to recognize that Roxy was suffering and be the one to call and tell me that we needed to call the vet, and then be there as she took her last breath showed a maturity beyond her years. It was really hard on her, but I know she is a better rider, competitor, and friend because she went through that.”

FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH

After losing Roxy, the Rippeons began searching for a new horse for Allie. Deanna was afraid that it would be hard to replace the bond that Allie had with Roxy, but that all changed when they found ItzOnlyMakeBelieve.

“The first time I rode ‘Molly’ she was just phenomenal,” said Allie. “Before getting on I introduced myself to her. Teresa Balkcum, who we bought Molly from, laughed and said she had never seen anyone introduce themself to a horse before. I told her I thought it was kind of weird to get on a horse that doesn’t know me!”

From that very first introduction, Allie and Molly have proven to be a formidable team. At their very first show together they won the Novice Youth Trail and Western Pleasure. Because the qualifying period for the Youth World had already ended, the team’s first major event was the NSBA World Championship Show. There they won the bronze trophy in the Youth 13 & Under Horsemanship and placed Top Ten in both the Novice Youth and Youth 13 & Under Western Pleasure.

They continued to build momentum at the WEC Championship Show in Ocala, winning the Youth 11 & under Equitation and Novice Youth Western Pleasure and placing Reserve in the Youth 11 & Under Horsemanship and Western Pleasure. They finished the show as the Novice Youth High Point Champions.

By the time they got to the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, Allie and Molly were on fire. By the time they finished their last class, they had won four Congress Championships and one Reserve Championship.

“It was crazy,” said Allie. “I couldn’t believe it. When I won my first Congress championship it was incredible, but then to win three more times was just crazy. My whole family was there, and they were all so supportive.”

SISTER ACT

Part of what makes showing horses so special for Allie, is being able to share her passion with her older sister, Madeline. Only a year apart in age, the two sisters both started riding and showing at the same time. Over the years, that has also meant competing against one another.

“There is definitely more competition when your sister is in the ring with you,” said Allie. “In Ocala last year Maddie beat me in the Horsemanship, which is one of my best classes, and she was so happy. Then I was Reserve to her in the Equitation, and she still talks about that to this day.”

“When they were in the same division, there were times they would be in the show arena together and I didn’t know which way to look,” laughed Deanna. “Having one daughter focus on English events and the other on Western events worked out well up until recently. We just sold Maddie’s hunter under saddle horse, Fashion Statemant, and now she will be focusing on the Western events with her new horse. At least for this year they will be in different age divisions.”

Although Allie and Maddie are both fiercely competitive and want to win, they are also extremely supportive of one another and quick to step up and help each other, whether that is caring for their horses or offering a word of encouragement.

“Maddie was a crucial part of Allie’s success at the Congress last year,” said Deanna. “She was a great buffer between Allie and I and helped keep Allie from getting nervous. She was very supportive of her sister and I’m so proud of her for that. There is nothing like that sister bond.”

EYES ON THE PRIZE

In just a few weeks, Allie and Molly will head to Oklahoma City for the AQHA Youth World Championship Show where they will be competing in Youth 13 & Under All-Around events. Following the Youth World, they will show at the NSBA World Championship Show.

“It’s my very first Youth World so I’m pretty pumped,” said Allie. “I’m looking forward to hanging out my friends that I don’t get to see except for a few times a year. I would love to get a globe and hope to do well in the all-around. To do that my plan is to just focus on one class at a time and try to have the best rides that I can.”

Deanna hopes that all her daughter’s hard work and dedication allows her to achieve her dreams in the show arena, but even more importantly, she just wants Allie to have fun.

“We know that it takes a village to achieve success in the show arena,” said Deanna. “We are very grateful to all who have played a part in preparing Allie, especially our trainers, Shannon Walker and Hannah Lind, as well as Keith Miller who helped us find Molly. It is because of the efforts of each member of our team that Allie has been able to accomplish all that she has. I can’t wait to watch her compete at her first World Show and my hope is that she enjoys every minute of the ride.”

Horses were such an integral part of Melissa’s life that it was at a horse show where she first met her future husband, JR.

“JR and I met at the Just For Pleasure Futurity in Perry, Georgia in 2003,” said Melissa. “JR was there showing Halter horses for his grandfather, and I was there showing my pleasure horses. We went out on a date at the next show and were married three years later.”

Prior to meeting Melissa, JR had ridden Cutting horses—he is a Reserve World Champion and NCHA Youth Hall of Famer—and shown Halter horses, but it was Melissa who introduced him to Western Pleasure.

“I had two horses that year for the World Show,” said Melissa. “I couldn’t show both, so I convinced JR to show one. We only had about four weeks to teach him how to ride a Western Pleasure horse. He would fly in on the weekends to practice. I guess it paid off because he ended up winning the Reserve World Championship in Novice Amateur Western Pleasure that year.”

In 2008, life began to lead JR and Melissa away from the horses.

“At the same time we were beginning to think about starting a family, my dad became ill and was no longer able to run our family business on his own,” said Melissa. “JR and I stepped in to help until he passed away in 2010. That was a really hard time for our family.”

Not long after her father’s passing, Melissa and JR decided to start their own business, Allstate Signal & Construction, a heavy highway electrical construction company based out of Cypress, Texas. While in the early years of building their business, they also became new parents.

“Our first daughter, Georgia, was born in 2011,” said Melissa. “Two years later Isabella arrived, and then finally, Elizabeth. Starting a family and trying to grow a business made it impossible to even think about horses.”

As their daughters began to grow up, it became very apparent that Georgia had inherited her parents’ love for horses. It was her passion that prompted the family’s return to the show arena. Shortly after his oldest daughter began showing, JR followed suit.

“I started showing hoping to help Georgia and work with her horse in the ring,” said JR. “It took off from there and spread through the family. After Georgia and me, Bella started, then Elizabeth, and now finally Melissa.”

FLO RIDA

Although Melissa wanted to return to the show arena, JR knew that his wife would never look at or buy a horse for herself. “Melissa is the most unselfish person. She always puts me and the girls first. This was something that I really wanted to do for her, so Cole and I made it our mission to find her the perfect horse.”

After looking for more than a year, in December the Cook’s long-time trainers, Cole and Liz Baker, were at a show in Tampa when they first saw Flo Rida. The 2019 sorrel gelding, who is sired by No Doubt Im Lazy and out of Why Not Invite Me, was in training with Chris and Shannon Holbin at the time. It only took one ride on “Buggs” for Melissa to fall in love with him.

“Buggs has such natural athletic ability,” said JR. “You see those horses that lope around making it look easy, well he is one of those horses. His size and eye appeal really make him the complete package. He has tons of ring presence and a personality that has quickly made him one of our family’s favorites.”

“I don’t know why he is named Buggs,” the Cook’s middle daughter, eight-year-old Isabella shared. “He isn’t anything like a bug. His name should be Prince Handsome.”

Bred by Kenneth & Lisa Elam, Flo Rida is making his name known this year, showing in 3-Year-Old Open and Non-Pro, Limited and Novice Horse and Amateur Western Pleasure events. Already this year, Cole and Flo Rida have been Champions in the 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure at the Fun In The Sun, unanimous Champions in the 3 & Over Novice Horse Western Pleasure at The Virginia Maiden, Reserve Champions in the 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure at Georgia On My Mind and Champions in the 3 & Over Novice Horse Western Pleasure at the A Sudden Impulse Futurity. Melissa and Buggs have shared their own success in the arena as 3-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure Champions and 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure Reserve Champions at Georgia On My Mind.

“Buggs is such a talented horse and keeps giving us more and more every time out,” said JR. “We are very pleased with all he has accomplished so far. He and Melissa become a better team with every ride.”

When Melissa was younger, she would get sick before a show because she was so nervous. Now she is much more relaxed and just enjoying the horses with her family. “I’ve learned that the people who are going to be happy for me will be, and the others don’t matter. I just want to have fun, improve my abilities and do the best I can,” she shared.

While Melissa is focused on improving inside the arena, JR is learning to take on the role of horse show husband. To help stay calm while his wife is in the show pen, he often finds himself pacing. “It’s hard for me when it comes to my wife and kids. I just want them to do well.”

“Dad gets grumpy when Mom shows,” added Isabella. “He says he is in the zone.”

ENJOYING THE RIDE

Melissa and Flo Rida have a full show schedule planned for 2022 which includes The Premier, Big A, NSBA World Championship Show, All-American Quarter Horse Congress and AQHA World Championship Show. 

“I’m excited to get back out there and show more,” said Melissa. “I of course love to win, but there is a lot more to horse showing than just the showing. You need the perfect picture. After being away from the pen for so long I need to reestablish myself and my style.” 

As part of her return to the show pen, Melissa is learning to balance her roles as both a horse show mom and competitor. For Melissa, family is everything and since becoming a mother, her priority has been to support her girls as they chase their dreams and fulfill their goals. She also knows that it is just as important for her daughters to see her chase her own dreams.

“I worry that the girls will need me, and I won’t be there,” said Melissa. “I have only shown with them at a few shows so far, but I have found that if I get everything done early, I don’t have to stress so much about getting the girls ready. My hope is that my experience will set an example for my girls.”

With all five members of the Cook family now showing, having a great support system is essential. JR and Melissa are grateful for the help and guidance of their trainers Cole and Liz Baker.

“They are very fair and honest,” said JR. “They work hard to do a good job and are just good people. They are also very good with kids. Cole and Liz have done so much not only for our horses, but also for our family.”

“I can’t thank Cole, Liz and the Baker team enough for their patience, hard work and support in preparing me and Buggs for the show ring,” said Melissa. “I didn’t realize how much I missed showing. JR and my girls are so excited for me and it’s a lot of fun to all be showing together.”

“I think she is going to do great,” said Georgia, the Cook’s oldest daughter.

“I’m happy to see Mom show,” chimed in Isabella. “I like to watch her.”

Elizabeth, the youngest Cook daughter, is just as excited. “I’m happy for my mom to start showing again and for us to all show together.”

JR couldn’t be prouder of his wife. “To say I am proud of Melissa is an understatement. She has put her own dreams on the back burner for so many years to start a family and build a business with me. She has watched and cheered for Georgia, Bella, and me for the last few years. Now it’s her turn. Riding and showing horses was something she loved to do when we first met and it’s something that I really wanted to share with her. I don’t want to do this without her. I’m so excited for Melissa and I know that together she and Buggs will do great things.”

“This is an exciting new chapter,” said Melissa. “I am blessed to be doing something I love with the people I love and such a special horse. I’m just enjoying the ride.”

Bobbie Piddock is an NCEA assistant coach at the University of California – Davis. Bobbie originally dreamed of being a horse trainer after finishing her youth career, however her parents insisted she get a college degree first. Bobbie started out her collegiate career riding for the University of Tennessee – Martin before transferring to UC Davis. During her senior year, Bobbie attended the NCAA Career in Sports Forum where she had the opportunity to learn from college coaches from all around the world. It was there that she fell in love with the idea of coaching and after graduation joined the coaching team at UC Davis. For Bobbie, competing on a collegiate equestrian team led her to a career that she hadn’t considered prior to college. Her biggest advice for youth riders who may be unsure of what they want to do, is to figure out what you love and are passionate about and then find a way to support yourself doing that. 

Riding for a collegiate equestrian team offers a great opportunity for riders to get a college education while also being able to show, but it is not the right choice for everyone. Some kids don’t like the idea of showing horses other than their own. Others may want to focus exclusively on college without balancing the demands of riding. For these kids, the right choice may be going to school while continuing to compete in AQHA (or other association) shows or taking a break from showing all together.

Hannah Warren is an Amateur competitor who has been riding for most of her life. After high school, Hannah had planned to ride for an NCEA team, however, when touring colleges she fell in love with High Point University, a school which did not have an equestrian team. As a life-long equestrian, Hannah admits she felt some pressure to choose a school with an equestrian team, but because High Point was the “perfect fit” and closer to home where her retired horses lived, it was the right decision for her. Hannah’s advice for kids who find themselves at a crossroads at the end of their youth career is to not rush into a decision. Growing up and potentially leaving home can feel daunting, so she encourages kids to take the time they need to feel confident in their decision. This time in life is an opportunity to try new things or focus on goals in a new way, and Hannah’s advice is to embrace the process.

Since men do not have the option of competing on collegiate equestrian teams, the choice for those who choose to go to college is to continue showing their own horses as an Amateur or take a break to focus on school. High school senior Grant Mastin is one of the male riders about to make the transition to college. Grant, who has committed to play football at Texas Christian University, credits showing with helping to prepare him for college. While he hopes to continue showing his own horses, Grant also acknowledges that college and his commitment to the football team will have to be his priority. Balancing school, athletics and horses will require him to rely on his trainers keeping his horses fit and prepared and strategically selecting the shows he attends. Grant feels strongly that showing provided him with skill sets and connections that will help him excel in college and in life. He encourages other young riders to make the most of their youth years and use that time wisely because it goes by quickly.

For some riders, the end of their youth career will be the end of their show career, at least for the foreseeable future. It is no surprise that showing horses is an expensive hobby, and for many youth riders, without the support of their parents, they simply can’t afford it while going to school. Others may choose to put riding on hold while they pursue other dreams.

Colbi Jacobs is a youth competitor who has decided to give up riding competitively while focusing on her education at Stanford, her “dream school.” Although school will be her priority for the next several years, Colbi does not want to give up riding forever and hopes to have a career in the future that will allow her to pursue her passions, which includes showing horses. Her advice for other equestrians trying to decide on their next steps is to do a lot of soul searching and really think about what you want your future to look like and then do what is necessary to achieve that.

While many kids will choose to attend college, whether they ride for a collegiate team, continue showing their own horses or take a break from competing, there are other riders who decide to forgo college, and instead focus on pursuing a professional career in the horse industry.

Kayla Kholer was already training horses and knew that was going to be her career when she was still competing in Youth events. Kayla had her first horse in training when she was just fifteen, before she was even old enough to drive. Family and friends encouraged her to go to college and pursue a different career, but Kayla was adamant that she wanted to be a horse trainer. Unfortunately, while Kayla was still in high school no one talked to her about the opportunities that collegiate equestrian teams could offer her. She admits now that had she known more about the NCEA, she would have been more inclined to consider college. While Kayla doesn’t regret the path she chose, she does encourage kids to take the opportunity to go to school and try new things because horses and showing will always be something they can come back to. Even for those kids who choose to pursue a professional career in the horse business, it is important to spend time learning how to manage a business, as it takes more to be a successful horse trainer than just great horsemanship.

A rider’s decision on what they want to do after their youth career comes to an end is intensely personal. While all of these riders chose a different path, what they all agree on is that riding and showing during their youth years helped prepare them for life. 

About the author: Natasha Replogle is a Freshman at UC Davis where she rides on the equestrian team and is the first Aggie to be named an ECAC Sports Rider of the Week. Natasha also competes with her horse Cash Included under the guidance of Vickery Performance Horses.