Tony Anderman/Solo Invested Win Amateur Showmanship, Alicia Porter/Hubbout A Dance Win Amateur Hunter Under Saddle
By: Brittany Bevis
Tonight’s finals performances kicked off with a special event for the kiddos, Mutton Bustin’! A half a dozen aspiring, young rodeo stars mounted some feisty sheep in the hopes of winning fun prizes. A great time was had by all.
After all that fun, Amateur Showmanship finals took place, and Tony Anderman was named the World Champion with Solo Invested. Tony was named the Reserve Champion with Goodness I’m Green back in 2012, but this is his first World Championship title. He showed his previous mare until she was retired to broodmare last year, and then he purchased his latest partner, a 13-year-old gelding named “Mac.”
“Mac belonged to one of Chris Gray’s customers, Kip Riley. He won the Select World, Congress, and a High Point title in Showmanship. He was very attached to him, but Kip felt like he had won as much as he could. They were very picky, because they were very attached to him, but I’ve known Kip for a long time. Actually, one of the first horses he got, when he came back after his break from showing, was from me.”
Tony describes Mac as a very sensitive horse that maneuvers skillfully through complicated patterns like the one they were given this evening. “I think Mac’s lead work is always really good. He’s a very light horse. He was so good. I couldn’t have asked for any more.”
Anyone who’s watched Tony compete in Showmanship knows that he likes to attack the pattern with conviction, especially when the extended trot is called for… “We actually didn’t have an extended trot today! But, the other day, I was told I did kick dirt into the stands! I can run really fast. I’m a speed walker. People always tell me that if you were to look at my tracks you’d think I was six feet tall!”
Showmanship is Tony’s favorite class, because of the opportunity it provides for younger horses. “I like Showmanship, because I can start a young one in it, and get a class going when they’re at the horse show, when they’re maybe not ready for riding classes yet. Also, it adds value. Obviously, the most successful you are in something, the more driven you are to get out there and do it. I’ve been very lucky with previous trainers like Bruce Vickery and Michael Colvin. They taught me a lot, so I’m very thankful to them. Then, without Clint [Ainsworth] and Chris [Gray], this wouldn’t have been possible.”
The Reserve Champion was Ashley Hadlock with Touched N Moonlite. Third was Jessica Baird with Cool Lopin Lady. Fourth was Jamie Devoe with Cadillac In Black. Fifth was Graysen Stroud with Invita Duke.
Then, Alicia Porter rode Hubbout A Dance to win Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. The Reserve Champion was Rebekah Kazakevicius with Not Just Anyhoo. Third was Tiina Volmer with Better Late Than Never. Fourth was Shelby Ratliff with Willy Has Potential. Fifth was Sarah Nimigan with Al Wayz On Your Mind.
Earlier in the show, Beth Case rode Hubbout A Dance to win Junior Hunter Under Saddle and the first title for the Porter family. The three-year-old gelding is by the Porter’s stallion, Hubba Hubba Huntin, and out of These Irons R Dancin, making the win very special. Although unknown to the crowd, Alicia and her gelding were the near-unanimous choice of the judges receiving four firsts and one second place.
At the recent Quarter Horse Congress, Hubbout A Dance won the Limited Non Pro Three-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle, was Reserve in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle, was Reserve in Open Non Pro Three-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle, was Reserve in Junior, and won the Open Three-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle.
