A 1-2 Punch for First Time Congress Champion Emilie Mathisen in L1 Sr Ranch Riding
Emilie Mathisen Earns First Congress Champion Title and Takes the Reserve Champion Title, all in the L1 Senior Ranch Riding at the 2024 All American Quarter Horse Congress.
By Sarah Welk Baynum
Emilie Mathisen, originally from Denmark, had her first Congress win today. She also placed second on her other mount, despite a large and competitive class.
“I have worked with Bud Lyon the past three years on and off. I came back to the U.S. this year since we finally got a visa that allowed me to stay here for a year. I’ve been here since April, and I’ve showed with Bud at the World Show and at Congress the last two previous years,” says Mathisen.
Both of the horses she won the Champion and Reserve Champion titles with in today’s class are owned by Ava Smith.
“It was fun for Ava to get two of her horses in the placings, and we even got them pretty recently. The horse I placed second on, Ara Lobo, I actually only showed him the other day for the first time. It’s been fun getting to know this horse!” says Mathisen.
Pale By Comparison, whose affectionately knowns as Bubbles around the barn, is the mare that earned Emilie her first Congress win today.
“Bubbles is a really fun mare, and she has such personality—she just tries really hard! She has a big stride, so maneuvering her around in a small pen makes it difficult to show her off, but she was really good for me today. It really came together for us!” says Mathisen.
The path to the poles in this pattern was also challenging, Emilie explains.
“It’s a walk-in pattern, so luckily you have time to get the horses settled at first. Bubbles has such a beautiful extended trot, so going down to the rail at the extended trot to the stop let me really show that off. The trickiest part is the side path going into the poles, because you can easily get trapped there and either get too close to your walkovers or not have enough forward motion to get over them. That was a concern of mine—getting in a bad spot there. On both horses, I was happy that that worked out! Bud lets me show such nice horses, and being a part of this program is really cool—we’ve got a good group of people!” adds Mathisen.
