Congratulations to Linda Neece on New Partner, Multiple World and Congress Champion, For One Night Only

By: Brittany Bevis

Congratulations are in order for AQHA Select rider, Linda Neece, following her recent acquisition of multiple AQHA World and Congress Champion, For One Night Only, from Capital Quarter Horses, LLC. Most will know “Sid the Kid” as the 5-year-old, bay gelding by Invitation Only and out of Radical Zippette, by Radical Rodder, who’s had a stellar career in the Western Pleasure pen.

In addition to numerous wins at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, beginning in his two-year-old year, all the way up to his final win with owner, Hillary Roberts, in Amateur Western Pleasure at the 2016 AQHA World Show, this talented gelding’s track record speaks for itself. During his three-year-old year, Sid was undefeated in his age division, which largely led to him being named the NSBA Horse of the Year in 2015.

Now, he’s embarking on a new journey with new owner, Linda Neece, in the saddle. “I’ve always loved this horse,” Neece says. “I knew the Roberts family had put him up for sale, but I wasn’t really sure they were actually going to sell him. Once I got him out of the stall and rode him, we just clicked. I was very fortunate that the Roberts family, especially Hillary, was agreeable to letting me purchase him, because I know how attached they are to him. She knew I would give him a good home, and he and I really seemed to hit it off.”

Among the attributes that attracted Neece to Sid were his natural movement, consistent performance in the show pen, and charming personality. “He such a beautiful mover and a natural mover. Everything he does is very easy. There isn’t a lot of prep time with him. Everything comes naturally for this horse, and he’s got such a great personality. He’s a hoot! He likes his treats, and he has a lot of character. As long as you don’t disrupt his little world, he will give you everything he has.”

Since Neece took Sid home a few weeks ago, she’s been hard at work with trainers at Rusty Green Show Horses preparing to make their debut at the Cornhusker Classic that will take place in Nebraska, June 14-18. “I’ve been riding every day,” she says. “My first show is going to be in Nebraska, and then we will take him to the NSBA World and the Quarter Horse Congress. I’m very excited.”

Neece is also planning to compete at the Select World Show with her other horse, Scoot Over, a 4-year-old mare she fondly calls “Mary.” “I bought her as a two-year-old, and Rusty showed her all last year in the three-year-old futurities and did pretty well on her. She’s won at the Congress and the Little Futurity. I’m excited to have two, really nice horses!”

There’s a chance Neece might be taking Sid to the Open/Amateur AQHA World Show in the fall; if she can qualify in time. “It may be possible to get points to qualify to compete in Amateur Western Pleasure, and I’m still a Level 2 rider in that class. That’s what we’re aiming for. Then, I could show Molly in Select and Sid in the Amateur.”

Also on the horizon for this new team is the addition of more classes to Sid’s repertoire. “He’s making a really good Trail horse. He did really well at Scottsdale in the Green Trail, so I will be doing Trail with him and hopefully adding more all-around events. Shannon Curl has done really well with him in Green Trail. I believe they’re sitting sixth in NSBA standings. He does have a lead change for Horsemanship and a really good turn around.”

Neece is excited for the future with her new horse and is very grateful to the Roberts family for giving her this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “I can’t thank the Roberts’ enough. They were really amazing to sell me Sid, and I’m very grateful.”

Roberts, too, is grateful that she was able to find the perfect new partner for a gelding that has been beloved by her family for many years. “He’s been a really special horse for me, and, in selling him, it was really important to me that he went to someone who would take really good care of hims and love him like I love him. Linda is a really good friend of our family, so I knew he would be going to someone who would take care of him like I have and hopefully go on to be really successful together.”

“I’ve done everything I can do with him, and we definitely went out on top with our relationship, so for him to go on and be successful with somebody else just speaks a lot about the horse. I think it’s a really great fit, and for him to go on and have success with Linda will really mean a lot to me.”

Hillary Roberts/For One Night Only Win Amateur Western Pleasure

Afternoon Congress Champions Include Hillary Roberts and For One Night Only

Congratulations 2015 NSBA Horse of the Year: For One Night Only!

2-Year-Old Non Pro Limited Western Pleasure Congress Win Goes to Hillary Roberts and For One Night Only