Busch and Dietrich-Dobbs Win APHA World Show Western Riding

By: Brittany Bevis

Three Western Riding World Champions were crowned at the APHA World Championship Show. First, Shelley Busch rode He Sent My Invitation to win Novice Amateur Western Riding. The Reserve Champion was Megan Winter with VR Tommy Bahama. Third was Missy Merwald with Hes Wiser. Fourth was Ryann Herrera with Wicked White N Fancy. Fifth was Shari Van Dyke with Ira Sensation.

Next, Tami Dietrich-Dobbs rode her 12-year-old gelding, Seems Like Heaven, to win Amateur Western Riding. The Reserve Champion was Maggie Griffin with I’ll Be Sensational. Third was Nadine Miller with Zip Is It. Fourth was Erica Lang-Greathouse with Over Achiever. Fifth was Missy Merwald with He’s Wiser.

Just a few days ago, Tami and “Eddie” were named the Reserve Champions in Amateur Senior Western Pleasure. Today, they claimed the top spot in one of their other favorite classes.

“It was probably my best ride I’ve ever had on him. As soon a I loped off, it felt right. When I first started doing Western Riding, it all used to go by so fast, and now it just flows. You feel like you’re out there forever, and you’re all by yourself. It feels good.”

“I think he’s extremely flamboyant. He flings his leg out there. Also, he does stay really straight in his lines. When he changes, he likes to show off and fling his foot. He doesn’t do it in the warm up pen, but he does do it in the show pen. He likes the attention.”

Tami and Eddie have won this particular class several times in the past, but today was extra special because of the song that was playing as she completed her victory lap. It was Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up,” which was the same song that was chosen to play at her father’s funeral, twelve years ago.

“He was a Cutting horse guy. He would get so nervous when he watched me show that he had to walk outside for the placings. His name was Gary.”

 

Coming up later in the show, Tami and Eddie will compete in Horsemanship. Then, Eddie also has Senior Trail, Senior Western Riding, and Senior Western Pleasure on his schedule.

 

Shelley Busch and He Sent My Invitation returned in Masters Amateur Western Riding to claim their second World Championship of the night. The Reserve Champion was Michelle Vondran with Gota Take A Chance. Third was Wendy Hull with All Star Sensation. Fourth was Shari Van Dyke with Ira Sensation. Fifth was Meredith Landy with Certified Stride.