Tip #1- Avoid creating a pass or fail mentality. Your kid’s job is to function at their optimal level, TODAY! They are working with an animal that has its own free will and doesn’t always understand the emotions coming from the rider, or people surrounding the rider. Credit their improvements.

One of the many fun events is the Ice Cream Social on Wednesday after the show sponsored by the PHBA Amateur organization. You also can wake up with caffeine daily from the Coffee Mobile and beat the heat with all-you-can-eat snow cones while waiting to see if you won the raffle for a Bob’s saddle or Kathy bridle among other fabulous donated items. The ever-popular Amateur Team Tournament runs throughout the entire show. Exhibitors from all over the country are randomly selected to form teams, which, in turn, form lasting bonds.

Congratulations is in order for Team USA! Mallory Vroegh was named the Champion in Showmanship and was followed in Reserve by Natalia DeVencenty. Another Team USA member, Mattie Dukes, placed tenth. Then, Team USA’s Mattie Dukes won Horsemanship, Mallory Vroegh was second, and Natalia DeVencenty was third. A clean sweep! EC Blog by: Mallory Vroegh […]

Mattie had a great run to start off the cutting in Brenham, Texas where she lead USA to a solid win on both cards.

All 19 countries were split up into groups of 15 riders and were led by Jenny and Robin Frid, Dan and Darlene Trein, Mark Dunham, Tami McAllister, Jennifer McGrath, Nikki Riddle, and Melissa Dukes. Each horse and rider combination ran through the pattern once, got advice from the clinicians on how to improve, and then they ran through the pattern again.