After Competing at APHA World Show For 15 Years in a Row, Brokers Lucky Kid Retires From Competition With 16 Career Titles
Brokers Lucky Kid competing in his final World Show Western Riding pattern with Mackenzie Preston at the 2018 APHA World Show.
By: Brittany Bevis
Just prior to the results being announced in the 18 and Under Horsemanship Finals this year at the APHA Youth World Show, a special ceremony took place to honor an APHA icon.
For the past 18 years, the name, Brokers Lucky Kid, has been synonymous with excellence in the APHA show pen. The son of Spanish Broker began his journey when he was purchased at the Denver Stock Show Sale as a yearling. Despite his inauspicious beginnings, the bald-faced, blue-eyed gelding, fondly known by his many fans as “Denver,” first attended the APHA World Show in 2003 where he placed third in 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure. For the next 15 years in a row, Denver competed at the World Show, making the long journey from Washington to Texas each year.
He has helped numerous youth, amateur, and open riders on the way to the winner’s circle. Tim Gillespie, Vicky Holt, Tracy Shelhorn, Arturo Maestas, Charlie Cole, Scott Suggs, Julie Suggs, Mike Davis, Kip Larson, Brian Isbell, Michelle Preston, Breann Preston, and Mackenzie Preston are among those who have graced his saddle. During the past 15 World Shows, he has earned 11 Reserve World Championship titles and six World Championship titles in disciplines such as Western Pleasure, Trail, and his signature event, Western Riding.
He has earned a total of 5,687 points, 3 APHA Champion titles, 34 Registers of Merit, 22 Superiors, and 3 Versatility titles.
Since he was four years old, Denver has been owned by a single family, the Prestons of Washington. He helped their two daughters, Mackenzie and Breann, each win Championship titles at the World Show- ten years apart. 2018 marks the final time that Denver will ride into the John Justin arena, because he is retiring from World Show competition this year.
Enjoy your retirement, Pork Chop. You deserve it.
Click here to read some of the interviews that have featured Denver over the years.
Brokers Lucky Kid Wins 13 and Under Western Riding at 2013 AjPHA Youth World Show
Brokers Lucky Kid Wins 2014 AjPHA Youth World Western Riding
Brokers Lucky Kid Wins 2015 AjPHA Youth World Western Riding
Brokers Lucky Kid Wins 13 and Under Western Pleasure at 2013 AjPHA Youth World
