NSBA World Show: Putting the Show in Showmanship

NSBA News

By: Connie Lechleitner

On Monday, the NSBA World Championship Show saw nearly 450 Showmanship runs followed by two splits and a final in Open Pleasure Driving and a big class of Amateur Pleasure Drivers, who all put on a show in the Ford Truck Arena in Tulsa.

Reaching The Goal

Griffin Holliday and his horse, Good N Plenty Gold, are no stranger to winning at the NSBA World Show, but they reached one of their goals by earning a world championship title in Amateur Showmanship.

“We were reserve in the Amateur and won the Color Amateur Showmanship here last year, so winning the Amateur was one of our goals,” Griffin said.

“I was really nervous going in because we didn’t get any warm-up in. We were back at the stalls chilling when we realized it was last call for my class, so we hurried up and came down to the arena and just ran in. Macy is so reliable though. I can always count on her. It feels pretty good to get this win.”

Griffin and Macy also went on to win the Color Amateur Showmanship as well.

A Stunning Win

You’ll often find Amy Engelskirger behind the scenes outfitting other equestrians with her business, Glamorous Threads, but on Monday it was her turn to shine in the Novice Amateur 50 & Over Showmanship with her horse, Always Victorious. It was an emotional win for her.

“We worked our butts off for this,” Amy said. “I’ve only had Heather, my mare, for about a year and a half, and Beckey Schooler put us together. When we started with this green horse, I almost disliked Showmanship, but I’m not a quitter. We worked three to four times a day on Showmanship. This is my first win ever and my first buckle. I don’t even have the words to describe what this means to me.”

And of course, Amy was outfitted in a custom Glamorous Threads suit for her Showmanship performance.

Challenge Accepted

Renee Howes and Sippinonmoonshine took the world title in Amateur 50 & Over Showmanship. She credited her coach and partner, Doug Huls, with helping her earn the title. “I’ve had this horse for seven years, and he’s nine now. He was pretty high strung when he was younger, but we’ve just kept working at it.”

“This pattern was just enough of a challenge, because it had four stops in it. You had to work on getting the flow to it, being able to stop and get going and then stop again. What I love about Showmanship is that on any particular day, it can be anyone’s day, and today it happened to be our day.”

Trifecta Win for Collin Froman

Collin Froman and My Dream Remembered have now completed a trifecta of world titles in Showmanship 13 & Under. Earlier this summer, they won at APHA World in Youth 13 & Under Showmanship, and then the AQHYA World in 13 & Under Showmanship, and on Monday they added a World Championship in NSBA Youth 13 & Under. It was a fitting end to Collin’s last year in 13 & Under competition.

“I didn’t think we were going to win this one,” Collin said. “When I was going past the judge, you were supposed to stop with your horse’s hip even with the judge, and he pulled his legs forward. But it worked out.”

Ever the perfectionist, Collin talked about his pattern. “I especially liked our back, and our set up, because he knew it was coming, our 180 was good and he just walked on really well,” he said.

A Final Win For Peyton

In the Youth 14-18 Showmanship, Colbi Jacobs showed Eli Investing Wisely to the world title, and it was an emotional win for her.

“It’s my last time ever showing him,” she said. “My horse got hurt, and Jim Stubbs allowed me to show Peyton. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to get to show him. He is the best boy.”

“Our biggest challenge was making sure he didn’t lope in the extended trot on the corners but still pick up speed. It’s super exciting to win here. We were bronze champions in the Level 2 Horsemanship and finalists in Western Riding at the AQHYA World Show, so this was a great way to end this series of shows.”

First NSBA World Show, First World Title

Abigail Zawisza and her horse, KM Vested In Bo, made their first trip to Tulsa count in a big way by win the World Championship in Novice Youth Showmanship. “I’ve had Bean for four years, but it’s my first year getting into Showmanship with him,” Abigail said.

“I’m coached by Spencer and Kimmy Zimmerman. Their advice going in was to just be a good showman and think about the movement. He can be a bit lazy, so I just had to work at keeping him with me. This is my first time to come to the NSBA World Show, and this is just amazing.”

Championships Add Up For Lilly Jones

Trail may be Lilly Jones’ favorite event, but you would never have known it watching her and her horse, Chillin Ona Dirt Road, performing in Youth Walk Trot Showmanship. “I was worried about the circle, because when we practiced it, I kind of cut it off about half of it and didn’t turn when I was supposed to.”

Their practice paid off, however, as the duo performed the pattern flawlessly. “My mom and dad [Chris and Melissa Jones] told me to keep my eyes up,” Lilly said. “Mostly my mom helps me along with Jess [Jessica Baird Divine] and Miranda.”

Tough EWD Showmanship Competition

With 31 competitors in Equestrians With Disabilities Showmanship, the competition was stiff, but Lydia Sellers showed Countin Downthehours to the win. Although Lydia has been a competitor at the NSBA World Championship Show before, this was her first year with her horse, Cody.

“I was happy with every element of our pattern,” Lydia said. “I love showing at the NSBA World Show. The whole experience is fun. It’s such a great facility to show at, a good atmosphere and there are lots of things to do.”

Lydia also won the EWD Horsemanship and placed seventh in Western Pleasure, and also competes in Hunter Under Saddle and Hunt Seat Equitation.

Doing What She Loves

Leah Roehl and her horse, AlDoWhatYouLove, ended the NSBA World Championship Show with a World Championship in Amateur Pleasure Driving, bringing her horse’s total to two World Championships and one reserve title. Pleasure Driving is one of NSBA’s newest World Championship classes.

“Oh my goodness, this is a little bit like Disney World for me,” Leah said of her win. “I’m just speechless.” Leah showed her horse flawlessly to win the large class of 12 exhibitors.

In Open Pleasure Driving, Charlie Cole piloted PSU Only The Blues for Leslie Ann Reynolds to earn the World Championship award.

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