Two Sets of Best Friends Win APHA World Showmanship Titles

By: Brittany Bevis

Two sets of best friends scored wins in Showmanship classes this evening at the 2021 APHA World Show.

First, Melody Hackworth led Im Good With It to win 13 and Under Showmanship and the Intermediate division of the class. Her best friend, Alyssa Martin, led Elite Le Zipped Up to win Novice Youth 13 and Under Showmanship and was Reserve in Intermediate 13 and Under Showmanship. Both ladies compete under the guidance of Baker Training Stable with Monica Webb and Kara Whitsell.

Melody’s own horse is currently on stall rest, so she was able to borrow Im Good With It from a fellow barn mate, Nancy Parkison. She’s only been working with this horse for one week. “He’s really sweet, and he likes to work for you,” she says. “He likes for you to tell him what to do.”

This is both Melody and Alyssa’s first time competing at the APHA World Show, and they admit that it’s a bit nerve-wracking, but today’s result couldn’t have been better. Alyssa’s main goal for this class was to remember her pattern. “I think my extended trot, walk, and 360 after the judge was really good,” she says. “Showmanship is my favorite class, because she’s really good at this class, and she’s a very good listener.”

Meanwhile, in 18 and Under Showmanship, another set of best friends took the top two spots. Macie Soderquist led Pour Me A Cuervo to her first World Championship. Her best friend, Margaret Applegarth, led Get The Sensation to a Reserve finish and a win in the Intermediate division. Third was It’s All Bhindthe Zipr and Talyn Smith. Fourth was Simon Always Says and Kimber Cobbs. Fifth was One Flashy Sensation and Lauren Gralla.

Macie was Reserve in this class last year, and because she’s 19 and this is her final Youth World, she was really striving for a win. She’s leasing her current show partner, and this is only their third horse show as a team. Both Macie and Margaret compete under the guidance of Showmanship guru, Carly Veldman Parks.

“I hated this class when I first came to Carly,” Macie says. “She loves it, so she kind of made me love it too. It’s fun when you’re precise and it pays off. I really liked my extended trot and back, which I was a little worried about, but it was good. He’s a really seasoned show horse, so a lot of what we did before the class was helping him settle down and being calm. We wanted to show like we practiced.”

Margaret showed her sister’s horse “Nick” in tonight’s class. She’s also 19, and this is her final year in youth competition.

“We spent a lot of time the last couple of days getting him down and forward,” she says. “We just wanted to be smooth and calm with it.”

“I feel like this is awesome to have a friend be beside you, and you’re one and two. That has never happened to me before.”