First Time at the Paint Congress, First Time with a New Horse, First Time as a Classic Amateur!
Puffy takes a nap to prepare for the show.
EC Blog by: McKenzie Verling
This past week has been full of firsts for me. I attended the World Wide Paint Horse Congress for my first time; showed my mare, RR In The Spotlight, aka “Puffy,” for the first time; and it was all during my first outing as a classic amateur! So, why not add in another first! My first blog for The Equine Chronicle!
[RR In The Spotlight is a 2012 mare sire by A Scenic Impulse. She was the APHA Reserve World Champion in Green Western Pleasure in 2015 with Mike Hachtel]
With so many firsts happening all at once it was nice to see the familiar smile of my good friend and barn mate at Mike Hachtel Show Horses, Madison Ketchem! Despite her busy week of showing in youth all-around events with her gelding, Red Solo Cup, she went out of her way to help ease the stress of my experience. She had everything covered from showing me around the show to helping me write my first blog.
Congratulations to Madison and “Oliver” on their circuit championships in both the Youth Western Pleasure and Youth Hunter Under Saddle!
McKenzie and Mike practicing with Puffy.
Being given the opportunity to blog from the Paint Horse Congress really made me realize what a great show I was attending. From the very beginning, I encountered wonderful people. The horse show management and staff were so welcoming and ran an excellent show. The show had great numbers and had the best of the best showing.
A tiny Equine Chronicle fan!
Recapping my experience this past week, I truly believe I’m blessed in so many ways! Mike Hachtel is such a talented trainer; I couldn’t ask for a better barn to ride in.
I continued to be amazed with how much talent and athleticism these show horses hold. Puffy not only displays these qualities as a Western Pleasure horse, but she also has a heart made of gold. Horses like her don’t come along often, and I couldn’t be more thankful for her.
Until next time
– McKenzie
Other circuit champions at the show include the following:
Stay tuned for complete results coming soon.
- 14-18 Western Pleasure- Red Solo Cup/Madison Ketchem
- 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle- Red Solo Cup/Madison Ketchem
- Senior Western Pleasure- Beyond Sensational/ RJ King
- Classic Amateur Showmanship- Gametime Sensation/Ali Eidson
- Classic Amateur Equitation- Gametime Sensation/Ali Eidson/
- Classic Amateur Western Pleasure- Gametime Sensation/Ali Eidson
- Classic Amateur Horsemanship- Gametime Sensation/Ali Eidson
- 18 and Under Youth Horsemanship- Radicalized/Mary Katherine Camp
- 14-18 Showmanship- Optimized/Lucie Lundquist
- Novice Youth Trail- Optimized/Lucie Lundquist
- 14-18 Equitation- Chipped In Roses/Olivia Eagles
- 14-18 Western Riding- Chipped In Roses/Olivia Eagles
- Masters Amateur Showmanship- Zippos Redemption/Pam Switzer
- Masters Amateur Western Pleasure- Im First In Line/Susan Juroe
- Novice Amateur Trail- Zippos Redemption/Pam Switzer
- Novice Amateur Horsemanship- Zippos Redemption/Pam Switzer
- Masters Amateur Trail- Zippos Redemption/Pam Switzer
- 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure- No Doubt Im Invited/RJ King
Love the hats ladies!
