Susan Juroe could hardly believe her ears when the announcer relayed the news that she and her 6-year-old double registered gelding, I’m First N Line, were the World Champions in Novice Amateur Trail.

“I felt like I knew I had to come out and set the bar high if I was going to be first.”

“Kid Coolsified always puts a pretty head and neck on his babies, but the sun, the moon, and all the stars aligned for this one!”

The Watt Arena was transformed today into a Halter Horse enthusiast’s paradise with the top horses, breeders, exhibitors, owners, and trainers gathering to compete for big checks, fabulous prizes, and bragging rights during the APHA World Show, Big Money Futurity, and WCHA Halter classes.

“I showed his mother, Moons Fancy Face, and won on her [in 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle]. We just lost her a couple of years ago, so he’s one of the last babies from her.”

Moxie Machine is having quite a show so far here at the 2017 APHA World Championship Show. Last night, his owner, Andrea Foss, rode “Wishbone” to win the Non-Pro 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Sweepstakes. Today, Shannon Gillespie rode the gelding to win Green Hunter Under Saddle.

“I kind of wanted to prove that the Paint Hunters are just as good as the Quarter Hunters. A good horse is a good horse; That’s what Alyse and I say.”

When Betsy isn’t in the show pen, you can find her off the coast of California where she trades her breeches and boots for a bathing suit and snorkel. She’s been doing open ocean and blue water dives for a little over a year now and she’s excited to continue the certification process.

“We’ve been showing together for 20 years, so it was a really special moment to be out there with her,” Ali says.

This year, she was able to lease the APHA gelding, Huntin An Invitation, who belongs to APHA youth competitor, Lillian Woodruff, to compete here at the 2017 APHA World Championship Show.