Morgan Bechtel and Pamela Switzer Win APHA World Showmanship

By: Brittany Bevis

This evening’s Showmanship classes produced two new World Champions. First, Morgan Bechtel led her 11-year-old gelding, Dressedtothemaxxman, to win Amateur Showmanship during her first appearance at the APHA World Show.

Morgan has been showing “Conner” since he was just four years old. Most recently, they have trained under the guidance of Rhonda Replogle. Since Rhonda had to judge a show and couldn’t accompany Morgan and Conner to the Texas, Sara Simons stepped in to assist. “She was a key factor in setting us up for both of our World Championships,” Morgan says. Earlier today, this team won a World Championship in Novice Amateur Showmanship. They also have prior wins at the AQHA L1 Championship in this event, because Conner is triple registered with AQHA, APHA, and PtHA.

Morgan says Showmanship is her favorite class because of the precision it requires. “I like the attitude and personality it requires. It’s a fun class that lets me showcase him. He’s a pattern guru. He loves it. As soon as I turn to the steward, I swear he hones in on him.” However, Morgan is the first to recognize that Conner isn’t necessarily an easy horse. “He’s very difficult. If he’s on; he’s on. If he’s not; forget it. He came to the game with his head in the right frame, and we got it done.”

The Reserve Champion was Lana Markway with CR Love Like Crazy. Third was Megan Seehafer with All That I Got. Fourth was Missy Merwald with He’s Wiser. Fifth was Tori Heinricher-White with JZA Jewelontherange.

Pamela Switzer led her 5-year-old mare, No Doubt I’m Invited, to win Masters Amateur Showmanship. We spoke with Pamela last year when she and “Riley” were named the World Champions in Masters Amateur Junior Western Pleasure. This year, they’ve begun to add all-around events.

“I had Zippos Redemption, and then he passed away,” she says. “He was phenomenal, so she had big shoes to fill. I truly believe he was with me during this go.”

Pamela enjoys Showmanship because of the challenge it requires. When Pamela and her trainer, Sara Simons, talk about Showmanship, they work on creating a “dance partner scenario.” “I enjoy that you have to make a plan and then execute it,” she says. “One of the elements, the back to the left, was very difficult. She executed that really nicely, so I was very happy with that.”

Coming up next, they will compete in Western Pleasure and Horsemanship.