NSBA News: A Day For Heroes at NSBA World Show

NSBA News

By: Connie Lechleitner

The 2021 NSBA World Championship Show and Breeders Championship Futurity honored the members of the armed forces for their sacrifices as well as awarded their horsemanship skills when the Heroes On Horses class and Heroes Parade took place in the Ford Arena.

The arena was filled with American flags presented by NSBA and NSBA Foundation officers and directors, corporate sponsors, members and professional trainers in honor of the veterans who competed as well as honoring those who gave all with a riderless horse presentation.

Heroes As Champions

Thirteen veterans competed in this year’s Heroes On Horses Walk Trot Western Pleasure class, and a second-year participant was named the 2021 world champion. Miranda Burkett, showing MTC Easy Tiger, won the title unanimously.

“I’m so excited,” Miranda said. “I showed last year for the first time and got sixth, on a different horse, and this year I was able to win it. I’m from Nashville, Tennessee and I work with Ryan Cottingim. I think this was my third ride on this horse, but he was great.”

“This class is so important, because it brings a great spotlight to the veterans, and what horses can do to benefit veterans. When you’re riding, you forget whatever was bothering you. It’s just you and your bond with your horse. For me, horses just take away the stress. Yes, showing is stressful in a way, but it’s just a different feeling when you get with a horse. I’m so thankful that NSBA offers this class here and promotes it at other shows too.”

Top ten placings included:

Reserve champion – Lazy Assets, Larry Pittingshrud
3rd – Megas Playboy, Jackie Egan
4th – Made To Slay, Jeanna Irby
5th – Skippers Pudden, Phillip Matthew Quintana
6th – Tuff Two Top, Jeff Harris
7th – Hot Shot Of Crown, Armando Rodriguez
8th – Amigos Big Leaguer, Bill Huynh
9th – Fit For Royal Te, Kendra Begley
10th – Huntin For Stardom, John Halpin III

Finalists:
Lenas Prescious Dove, John Kelley
Elegant Hunter, Lisa Bass
Heartbreak Sinsation, Cynthia Graham
Red 57, Kevin Sloas

Jumping To The End of The Fences

The Working Hunter and Equitation Over Fences classes concluded for the 2021 NSBA World Show in the Ford Arena on Saturday. Exhibitors were very appreciative of the schedule change, which moved Hunter Hack classes a day earlier, allowing the over fences classes to be spread out over a two-day period. The entries increased in nearly all the classes.

Jana Rodes and Jo Jo Win Big

Amateur 50 & Over exhibitor Jana Rodes and her ApHC mare Jo Jo had a big day on Saturday, leaving the show arena with three world championship titles in 50 & Over Working Hunter, Open Working Hunter and 50 & Over Equitation Over Fences.

“We showed here last year and were third, and we were third in Hunter Hack yesterday,” Jana said. “I felt a little rusty yesterday when we showed, so it felt especially good to have my game on today. Jo Jo is so easy. She’s just quiet and straightforward, and she was just so good today. It certainly came out better than planned.”

Jo Jo, better known as Daddys A Hero, is by Hands Of A Hero and out of Artfully Made.

Parisek Sisters Share Wins In Amateur Events

Sisters, Alexis Parisek and Morgan (Parisek) Ratkowski, ended up trading some hardware between the Amateur Working Hunter and Amateur Equitation Over Fences. Alexis and her horse, Truly Authentic, won the Amateur Working Hunter world championship and Morgan was third with Better Buy The Minit, and then Morgan won the Amateur Equitation Over Fences world title with Alexis earning the reserve world championship.

“I’ve had Hummer for almost five years, and in many ways he’s like a baby,” Alexis said. “He is so fun, and very sweet. He’s a barn favorite. He loves his job and he loves to work. The minute he goes into the arena his ears go up and he’s ready to go.”

The win was Alexis’ first NSBA world championship, however she and Hummer have earned six AQHA world titles.

Morgan and her gelding known as Murray continued their winning ways in Amateur Equitation Over fences after winning the Working Hunter Derby a day earlier. She also saw top five placings with her second horse, Penny Kruzer, who also saw a world title a day earlier.

Youth Hunter World Champions Named

Madison Dolan and her horse, A One Nite Stand, earned their first NSBA world championship in Youth Working Hunter. Madison showed her 11-year-old gelding known as Rhett to the win.

“I’m really excited to win a world title here,” Madison said. “We were third here last year, and we just came from the AQHYA World Show and won the Level 1 Equitation Over Fences and Youth Working Hunter.”

“Rhett is by Louisianasaturdaynight and out of Misty Blue Legend, and was bred by Susan Clune. I love his personality. He’s really quirky, and I guess I am too, so we’re a good match. He’s really sweet. I just really like the English events, and I can’t really tell you why. It’s just really fun. I have another horse that I show in Hunter Under Saddle and Hunt Seat Equitation.”

In the Youth Equitation Over Fences, Denim Wellhouse showed Naturally Immortal to the world championship, winning her second world championship in two days. “Our go was really good,” Denim said.  “I loved the course and thought it rode really well, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I honestly didn’t think I was being called back for the awards so I didn’t go down to the arena because I wasn’t feeling well, so it was all a surprise.”

Denim and her horse have a long history together. “We’ve had Naturally Immortal his whole life and he’s ten now. He is by Natural Iron,” she said.

Trainer, Ryan Painter, was another repeat world champion in the Hunter division, winning an NSBA world championship in Green Working Hunter aboard Tabloid Famous for owner, Shannon Roberson.

The NSBA World Championship Show and Breeders Championship Futurity continues through Sunday, August 22. To view complete show results or follow the live video feed, please visit www.nsba.com or use the Horse Show Tracker app.