Mackenzie Chapman and Have A Good Flight Win First World Champion Title as a Team in 13 and Under Showmanship at 2013 AjPHA Youth World Show

When asked to describe her 8-year-old, all around gelding, Have A Good Flight, the outgoing Mackenzie Chapman had plenty to say.

“He’s the horse that everyone loves,” she says. “People love him because of his personality, how outgoing he is, and how he doesn’t care about anything. All of the trainers that have ever rode him love him because you don’t have to ride him so much. You can ride him for 20 minutes and you have nothing else to fix. I love him because of all those things and that he gives 100% every time. [It doesn’t matter if it’s] goat tying, jumping, or showmanship, he gives me 100%.”

“Clark” certainly tried his hardest this afternoon in the 13 and Under Showmanship and helped Chapman win her first World Champion title in the 13 and Under age division. While most exhibitors are just beginning their 2013 AjPHA World Show journey, Chapman has been hard at it for several days now. Thus far the pair has achieved a third place finish in 13 and Under Goat Tying, a fourth place finish in 13 and Under Hunter Under Saddle, a third place finish in 13 and Under Jumping and made it back to the 13 and Under Equitation finals. Later on in the show Chapman will compete in Reining, Trail, Western Riding, Western Pleasure, and Horsemanship.

While most horses might begin to fade after competing in so many events, Chapman says Clark never fails and is always there for her 100%. This true all-around horse definitely has an appetite for competition and a few other tasty items as well…

“He sees food and then he gets a little larger,” she giggles. “He likes to eat.”

Like other self-described “horse trainer’s kids” Chapman often finds herself in a unique situation when it comes time for the horse show. For this Youth World Show she not only relied on the guidance of her mother, horse trainer and multi-carded judge, Kelly Boles Chapman, but also her own individual trainers, Jeffery Gibbs and Jenna Hyde.

“It’s kind of different, but with Jeffery and Jenna it’s so awesome,” she says. “My mom brought other people here and so they can help me while my mom is helping the others. With being a trainer’s kid I always have to wait for mom to help the other kids, and then it’s my turn. But with Jeffrey and Jenna here it’s nice to feel like a real customer.”

Following her big win this afternoon in the 13 and Under Showmanship Chapman definitely has plans to celebrate, but only after her fellow barnmates finishing competing.

“I don’t know what Jeffery and Jenna do [to celebrate], because this is my first World Show with them, but we have to get Dippin’ Dots,” she says. “That’s the one thing I said I wanted before I went in, banana split Dippin’ Dots. Clark gets an ice cream cone. That’s his favorite.”

13 and Under Showmanship:

1-Have A Good Flight/Mackenzie Chapman

2-Chipped In Roses/Olivia Eagles

3-Cadets Honor/Emily Drew

4-Zippos Redemption/Mary Camp

5-Sacrifice/Hannah Stokan