Ali Eidson Wins First Amateur Title With Gametime Sensation in Classic Am. Horsemanship at 2014 APHA World

By: Brittany Bevis

Ali Eidson achieved a milestone today at the 2014 APHA World Championship Show by winning her first World Champion title in the amateur division aboard her 4-year-old gelding Gametime Sensation, aka “Doc.” Coming in second was fellow barn mate, Chelsea Bain, with Sensational Blonde. Rounding out the top three was Desarae Gilley with A Sudden Legacy.

Eidson and Doc have been a team for just six months and are still fairly green in all-around events. Last year, Doc competed solely in Western Pleasure. Since then, Eidson has worked with her trainer, Sara Simons, to transform Doc into a true all-around partner by teaching him Showmanship, Equitation, and Horsemanship.

“I think this was my third pattern ever on him,” she says. “I didn’t expect much. I just went out there and felt things out to see what he could give me. I pushed him in places I could. He’s so honest; that’s what I love about him.”

“Sara said to be calm, confident, and go lay out a great, smooth pattern. That’s all she asked of me. She said to remember he is just four, so I needed to feel it out; that’s what I did.”

Earlier in the show, Eidson and Doc received a fourth place finish in Classic Amateur Showmanship and placed sixth in Classic Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation. Coming up next, the pair will compete in Classic Amateur Junior Western Pleasure.

Although Eidson was confident in many elements of Doc’s pattern, especially his quick spins, she never expected to be named the World Champion in a class of so many seasoned horse and rider teams.

“When it came down to me, it was just shocking,” she says. “I won before as a youth, but I haven’t won as an amateur. Every year, I kind of change horses and start over. I really like that part of it; I love taking a young horse and teaching them all-around events. This one came along so quickly; it was incredible.”

“[I liked] his last turn to the right. I got into it and I knew I could ask for more, so I kicked him around and he whipped out of it. It was perfect; he was flawless.”

Classic Amateur Horsemanship–

1-Gametime Sensation/Ali Eidson

2-Sensational Blonde/Chelsea Bain

3- A Sudden Legacy/Desarae Gilley

4- One Flashy Sensation/Taylor Lynn Prince

5- A Subtle Impulse/Jennifer Humphries