Betsy Juette, Hailey Falk, Haley Cunningham, and Kristen Syburg Are APHA World Hunter Under Saddle Champions

By: Brittany Bevis

Today’s classes at the 2017 APHA World Championship Show are devoted to the smooth and sweeping strides of Hunter Under Saddle specialists. First up this morning, Hailey Falk rode Silver and All Fancy to win Novice Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. The Reserve Champion was Carlee Christian with Real Me In. Third was Robin Hungerford with Good To Be Fancy. Fourth was Michelle Vanrusselt with Huntin An Invitation. Fifth was Ashley Welborn with Supersized Sensation.

Haley Cunningham rode Supermodel Gisele to win Amateur Walk Trot Hunter Under Saddle. The Reserve Champion was Trinidy Bowden with CNC Hez High Profile. Third was Stephanie Proft with Come Zip With Me. Fourth was Kayla Seaman with Make It A Double Plz. Fifth was Lisa Hauth with Good Luck I’m Special.

Kristen Syburg rode Fancy N My Stilettos to win Amateur Solid Paint-bred Hunter Under Saddle. She was followed in Reserve by Lynn Harrison with Super Chip My Ride. Third was Hallie Thomas with A Sensational Machine. Fourth was Rebecca Osborne with Irresistible Appeal. Fifth was Emily Kuhn with Fleets Penny Machine.

Betsy Juette rode her double registered gelding, Huntified, to win Amateur Senior Hunter Under Saddle. Two years ago, when “Frankie” was still a junior horse, he and Betsy won the junior division of this class at the World Show. Betsy purchased Frankie at the All American Quarter Horse Congress when he was three years old, just shortly after coming to train at Tim and Shannon Gillespie’s barn. Frankie is a six-year-old AQHA/APHA gelding by Impulsified and out of a Thoroughbred mare named Diva Diana.

When Betsy isn’t in the show pen, you can find her off the coast of California where she trades her breeches and boots for a bathing suit and snorkel. She’s been doing open ocean and blue water dives for a little over a year now and she’s excited to continue the certification process. “I dive using air and enriched oxygen. I’ll dive using 21% oxygen and then do decompression with up to 40% oxygen. I’m trying to progress through certifications to do wrecks, caves, and more advanced dives. I’m also working on my Dive Master certification, which allows me to work with instructors in teaching people how to dive and to lead certified divers.”

“I just did a dive on the oil rigs off California. It’s really cool, because sometimes you will see big creatures. If you’re lucky, you will see huge bait balls of sardines. The birds are dive bombing, and the sea lions are jumping off the rigs.”

Unfortunately, due to her busy schedule, Betsy caught a stomach bug and came to the World Show sick. “It was very bad timing for getting sick, because I was just trying not to throw up. I told them to put me on and let me go! But Frankie took care of me. He was perfect. Actually, it was one of our better rides. He kind of took care of me, because I’m not feeling great still. He’s very consistent, always willing, and never tries to trick you or do anything funny. He likes his job and enjoys doing it.”

Now that their World Show journey is complete, Betsy and Frankie will be headed to the All American Quarter Horse Congress and World Show this year where they will compete in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle and Equitation.

The Reserve Champion in the class was Madison Ketchum with Red Solo Cup. Third was Ali Eidson with Gametime Sensation. Fourth was Andrea Kegley with LX Just Call Me Fancy. Fifth was Andrea Nelson with Mr. Verifiable.

Sixth was Taylor Kokemiller with All About The Goods. Seventh was Michelle Sloan with Gotta Be Sensational. Eighth was Peyton Weldon with Big Expectations. Ninth was Kylee John with Krymsunized. Tenth was Hailey Falk with Silver and All Fancy.