Afternoon APHA World Equitation Wins Go to Bull/Timeless Assets and Weiser/Nighttime Sensation

By: Brittany Bevis

This afternoon saw two new World Champions crowned in Classic Amateur Equitation and Masters Amateur Equitation. First, Christine Weiser rode Nighttime Sensation to win the Classic Amateur division. The Reserve Champion was Kylee John with Krymsunized. Third was Ali Eidson with Gametime Sensation. Fourth was Randi McCook with Ima White Sensation. Fifth was Alison Foster with A lot To Offer.

Then, in Masters Amateur Equitation, Coleen Bull rode Timeless Assets to win their fifth career World Championship title in the class. The Reserve Champion was Melissa Haberkorn with VR Knockyoursocksoff. Third was Diane Luckey with Hez Got It Go N On. Fourth was Jo Lynn Kirkman with She’s The One N Only. Fifth was Tracy Hull with Big Ones Only.

We’ve had the opportunity to speak with Coleen several times throughout her career, but this win with her beloved “Tucson” is very special because it marks their 21st World title earned as a team. Currently, the record for the most APHA World Championships titles held by an individual horse is 24, which was set by Slide Away Sally, a mare that passed away earlier this year. Coming into the APHA World Show last year, Coleen and Tucson were at 15, but after an exceptional showing, they added five more to their total. “I figured someday if would be neat if he held that record. But, he’s only 11; he’s still just a baby. Then, last year we got five World Championships and all of a sudden we were sitting at 20. I thought, ‘This is doable.'”

Although the record isn’t at the forefront of Coleen’s mind when she enters the pen to compete, she brings up an interesting point. “If I don’t think about having another goal, what takes me to the next step? Still, this is beyond my wildest dreams… never in a million years did I imagine we could do this…”

One might think, that after such success, the nerves would dissipate somewhat, but for Coleen, every time she enters the pen it’s a tumult of excitement, anticipation, and an uneasy stomach. “It’s almost worse now, because the expectations are so high,” she says. “Every year, I think I just want to go to the World Show, have some fun, let the pressure go away, and just enjoy it. This year, I thought I was doing great, but then there was some talk on Facebook about the decision to combine Top 20 points, and I feel like I became the unintended recipient of people’s frustration, even though I had nothing to do with the decision. I feel like things are slightly different here at the show, so it’s been more of a roller coaster than usual.”

Despite the emotional roller coaster that comes along with competing at a World Show, Coleen keeps everything in perspective with the help of her trainers, Garth, Sonnesa, and Austin Gooding, as well as a bit of humor provided by her husband, Kit.

“Kit was cleaning Tucson’s stalls somewhere when some woman came up and said, ‘Pardon me sir, but what’s the name of that woman that you work for?'” Coleen laughs. All kidding aside, Coleen feels very grateful to have such a supportive and understanding husband. “I do love my husband very much… but Tucson is the love of my life!”

Coleen feels she and Tucson have been able to have such success in this discipline because of a combination of hard work, dedication, and teamwork. “I work really hard at Equitation, and I think I’m fortunate to be good at it. I think the other thing is that it’s all about your mount. Every year, before the World Show, I watch the previous year’s videos, and I think about what the winning piece really is. As I watch Tucson, there is a softness about him that’s eye appealing. I really think it boils down to the horse.”

“It’s a team. If Tucson was with someone else, he might not be the same horse. If he had a different rider, it might not be the same combination. If I was with Tucson, but we were with another trainer, we might not be what we are. It really takes the right combination of everybody. I’ve known for a long time that Garth and Sonnesa are, without question, the best thing for my horse, and his comfort means the world to me, more than anything else.”