Caroline Nielson and Theonlykisstoenvy Win AQHA Youth World 14-18 Western Riding
By: Brittany Bevis
Coming off of a win yesterday in Level 2 Western Riding, Caroline Nielson had high hopes for today’s 14-18 Western Riding, but she never imagined she would be leaving the final class of the horse show with a golden horse AND a golden trophy.
When we chatted with Caroline yesterday, she indicated that although she was pleased with her performance, there were a few small adjustments she was hoping to make to better her performance today. “We scored really well, with a 232, and we had some minor small issues, so I know we can improve upon that and maybe get a gold globe this time instead of just a horse!”
In all the excitement of the announcer revealing that she was the World Champion, she didn’t hear her score for today’s class. “I actually didn’t hear my score, which is kind of upsetting. I’m sure it’s somewhere… I hope it’s better than yesterday. He’s so trustworthy and honest in the pen. He shows exactly how he practices. I was pushing him through all of his changes as much as I could to get bonus points for each change, so hopefully it worked out… I guess it did!”
We did a bit of investigating and Caroline and “Scottie” did in fact improve upon their score with a 235, a full five points ahead of the next highest placing rider.
For many years, Caroline and Scottie have competed under the guidance of Tim and Shannon Gillespie, and she still relies on their support for her Hunter Under Saddle horse, BMQ The Jig Is Up. Now helping she and Scottie in Western classes in Blake Weis.
“He has a lot of different perspectives that I’ve never heard before, so it was nice to get some tips that I’ve never heard. Also, he rides Scottie a lot, and that helps him help me, because he knows what Scottie does, and then he voices it back to me. He’s really talented, so it pays off.”
What are some of those helpful insights? “Scottie likes to put his head down really low; but, if I pick my hand up a little bit, he will keep his head more level, and it helps his changes stay more straight and solid. He tells me not to be afraid to push him, because I know he’s going to be good and that he changes better when he’s fully riding step by step.”
“Also, before almost every class, he tells me that no matter what happens he’s proud of me. He says that no matter what happens, I should pet my horse when I’m done. It means a lot for me to know that no matter what happens, he’s proud.”
There are certainly other reasons to be proud, because Caroline and Scottie also were crowned the Reserve Champions in Level 2 Horsemanship and fourth in Level 3 Showmanship.
Scottie is a double registered AQHA/APHA gelding, so our readers are more used to seeing him on the APHA show circuit. This is Caroline’s second time showing him at the AQHA Youth World Show. Next up, they will be heading to the NSBA World Show before Caroline starts at OSU University in the fall. “I never thought this day would actually come. This is going to be my new dorm room decor for sure!”
The Reserve Champion was Nya Kearns with Never Sudden. Third was Ella Petak with Gettin Hot. Fourth was Taylor Ramsey with Ruby Due Good. Fifth was Leah Anderson with Gunpowder N Smoke.
