Congratulations PtHA Exhibitors of the Month- Sharon Welsh and Hannah Brock
Wrangler Exhibitor of the Month- February
Sharon Welsh
“I began riding when I was 12, and my parents surprised me on Christmas Day with my first horse, an Anglo Arab named Cinder. Cinder taught me so much, and we grew up together. I remember my first horse show well, because I was on Cinder and he was still young and learning. Even though we didn’t place in our classes, I was awarded the Sportsmanship award, which meant so much to me. When I was 16, my mom and I joined the Sewickley Foxhunt Club and had many amazing riders over the years on our horses together.”
“While in college, I joined the Equestrian Team at West Virginia University. I met so many fun people and rode lots of different horses with varying abilities. After getting married and having children, I took a break from riding for about 10 years. At age 35, I leased a wonderful horse named Naughty and began three-day eventing, which was very exciting.”
“When I turned 52, I decided that I wanted to learn to ride Western, so I bought a horse named Roxie and began showing again and was hooked. But it was truly love at first sight with my current horse, Inviting All Artists, aka Artie. I saw his pictures and videos and knew I had to make him mine. Artie is a gentle giant at 17 hands and very sweet. He is a true puppy dog that will follow you wherever you go. At 11 years old, he has been there and done that, and I’m learning so much from him.”
“I’m currently showing APHA/PtHA and having a blast. I have met so many wonderful people along my journey with horses and I’m truly blessed to be able to do what I love!”
Wrangler Exhibitor of the Month- January
Hannah Brock
“I have been showing horses for eight years. I was eight years old when I competed at a horse show for the first time. It was a Punta Gorda Horseman’s Association horse show in Florida. I had been able to watch a few horse shows prior. Competing for the first time showed me just how much I enjoy the camaraderie of horse showing. I was so excited and nervous at the same time. At the end of the day, my face hurt from smiling so much.”
“I love preparing for the shows and then seeing how much I have accomplished. I also realized how competitive I actually am. It took me a year to win my first blue ribbon.”
“Arnold, Our Larks Legacy, is a 22-year-old bay gelding. Most of the time, we call him Arnie. He’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. He’s easygoing and loves to impress. He’s like the wise old professor at a large university. He knows how to show but makes you earn the wins. He’s trustworthy, smart, gentle, and takes great care of me. He loves Pop Tarts and peppermints. My family purchased him when he was 10. We have been a great team and have accomplished many successes. We have made it as far as a 4-H regional competition in Perry, Georgia. Last summer, we went to the Pinto World competition in Tulsa, OK. We won two world titles in Western Dressage and placed top ten in our solid Pinto English and Western Youth events. We have competed in Florida Paint/Pinto, Florida AQHA, 4-H, and Punta Gorda Horseman’s Association (our local shows).”
“Arnie is a great all-around horse. We compete in Western Trail, English, Western Showmanship, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, English Pleasure, Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, and Western Dressage. We have also participated in local trail rides for fundraising events.”
“The best thing about showing my horse is the team work, not just in between him and I, but with my trainers and show team. Avery Sinclair (Sinclair Performance Horses) and Karen Dubin (Dubin Farms) have been great teachers and support. They have included us in their barn family and helped us grow and succeed.”
