Michelle Forness and Stretch Machine Named Amateur Horsemanship World Champions

By: Brittany Bevis

At the recent 2017 All American Quarter Horse Congress, we had the chance to speak to Michelle Forness after she rode her longtime partner, Stretch Machine, to be named the Congress Champion in Equitation. It was during that interview when we learned about Stretch’s health scare at the 2016 Congress, when she was forced to leave the pen during the rail work.

Stretch has a unique condition where his inability to break down sugars and starches in his food causes a build up in his muscles, which causes debilitating stomach cramps. With careful management, Michelle and trainers, Robin and Jenny Frid, have been managing the condition, and Michelle and Stretch returned to the Congress this year to claim the Congress Champion title.

Sadly, it seemed like de-ja vu during the Equitation finals here at the World Show, where Michelle was forced, once again, to leave the pen during the rail work after delivering a stellar pattern. “He has hind gut ulcers, but there’s nothing you can do for them, except for antibiotics, which you can’t give here,” Michelle says. “Then, we’ve got some medicated powder for him, but it takes two to three weeks to get that into his system.”

Faced with the same scenario from 2016, Michelle and Robin concocted a different plan for tonight’s Horsemanship finals. “I went on faith with Robin. He said we were just going to leave him in his stall and go show. I was a little nervous out there, but it worked! Last night, we walked through the pattern and loped a couple of pieces. Then, Robin did a couple of little, bitty test rides today, but that was it. We trusted him.”

It’s clear Michelle has a special place in her heart for her 10-year-old gelding, describing him as a joy to be around. “No matter how tired, hurt, or hungry he is, he always comes to you with his ears up. He loves people. He’s talented, and he wants to be good. Sometimes, he gets in his own way, but he wants to be good. I’ve done a lot of getting horses ready and selling them, but this is the first horse I’ve gotten to keep and enjoy showing. I know that time is probably coming to an end soon, but he’s been a joy to have. That will be hard for me… He may stay at my house forever!”

The Reserve Champion was Graysen Stroud with Invita Duke. Third was Johnna Letchworth with Krymsun Kryptonite. Fourth was Brittany Boyd Lisotta with Don’t Skip My Charms. Fifth was Kara Vickery with Strawberri Wine.