WSPHC Star Spangled Classic – Former World Champs and First-timers Turned Out to Compete at State’s Largest APHA Show
Stefanie Fricke and Kay Ceeya Later
EC Blog by: Stefanie Fricke
As an officer and active member of the Washington State Paint Horse Club, taking the opportunity to do a blog recap of the club’s annual Star Spangled Classic Paint-O-Rama this past weekend at the fairgrounds in Monroe, WA, provided a different perspective. While I was still focused on showing my bay tobiano gelding, Kay Ceeya Later, in Classic Amateur events, knowing I wanted to tell the story of the show opened my eyes to an event that was full of individual, unique, and fun stories.
The Star Spangled Classic continues to be the largest APHA show in Washington State with talented trainers and exhibitors returning each year. This fills the show up with familiar and friendly faces, but what I thought was great about our show this year were all the first timers and new faces. The three-day, six-judge weekend (two separate three-judged shows) provided the perfect backdrop for the introduction of new horse/rider combos, exhibitors returning to the show pen after years off, and people making APHA show debuts.
Terry Irvin with Iconic Sensation and Eezee Money. Photo courtesy of Terry Irvin.
Terry Irvin was very excited to be at this show even though she’s been a regular, winning competitor in this arena for years. She told us, “Funny thing is, I’ve been showing at this arena for many years – and winning here – with my obedience trial dog! It’s so wonderful that I’ve switched to horses, which has been my desire and dream for many years. I love both of my young horses and had been so looking forward to watching my new three-year-old Iconic Sensation show here!” Terry’s young paint, “Connor,” was shown in Junior Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle by Tammie Whitt.
Landon Fricke and Brokers Lucky Kid, led by Mackenzie Preston. Photo by Danyelle Harp.
A favorite moment for me from the weekend took place during Leadline, which will come as no surprise to anyone. My soon-to-be 5-year-old son, Landon, currently rotates showing at Paint shows between my gelding, Casey, and multiple World and Reserve World Champion, Brokers Lucky Kid, aka “Denver.” Usually led by either of my trainers, Kip Larson or Mike Davis, Denver’s owner/rider, Mackenzie Preston, took the lead.
About 13 years ago, I led Mackenzie in Leadline, sporting our bright pink and black outfits, with Hy Dollar Zippo. Fast forward many years, now dressed conservatively in black, Mackenzie is guiding my son and giving him these wonderful experiences. I also love that the regulars in Leadline at our area shows have been boys, with Landon’s show buddy, Braxton Wilson, son of trainer Anthony Wilson, also competing this weekend on the sorrel overo mare, Hoppin My Hilfigers.
Emmie Sullivan and Suddenly Unstoppable
Attending her second paint show this year and second with a new partner, Emmie Sullivan piloted Suddenly Unstoppable in various novice youth and youth events. Emmie showed at her first paint show here at this show last year. Emmie’s sister, Zanna, also shows with her Solid Paint Bred, JZA Wyatt I Zipped. They both just recently returned from Texas where they competed at the AjPHA World Show in the Youth Judging contest and Zanna competed in SPB classes bringing home World and Reserve World titles.
Many young horses (and in some cases also the handlers) made debuts in the yearling classes. Chandelier Swingin, owned by Dianne Rouse, competed for the first time in Yearling Longe Line. She’s a bay tobiano filly with a World Champion pedigree and big horse shoes to fill – by John Simon and out of Chansation – and it looked like she was doing just fine in that regard. Also, Missy Neill showed her bay tobiano stallion, Oceans of Assets, in Longe Line and In-hand Trail classes. Missy’s first horse was a Paint and while she’s been an APHA member for 25 years, this was her first APHA show.
Erin McGowan and Famous N Fancy joined by AQHA exhibitor Karla Ness. Photo courtesy of Erin McGowan.
It was probably close to 18 years ago that Erin McGowan and I last showed horses together as youth kids, growing up in 4-H and competing in open level shows together for years. Erin made her debut in the APHA pen this past weekend on her six-year-old, bay overo mare, Famous N Fancy, showing in Novice Amateur Western Pleasure and Horsemanship.
Oceans of Assets with Missy Neill. Photo courtesy of Patty Baker.
Taylor Kieser showed two horses in youth events, marking her second APHA show, coming off a great debut at the AjPHA World Show. Taylor showed her gelding, ImaRealSweetNorfleet, in Hunter Under Saddle and her new three-year-old mare, Good Girl Gone Bad, in Western Pleasure. This mare has been showing successfully in the Premier Paint Sires program. Trevor Rollins and his mare, You C Me Lopin, showed in a competitive group of novice youth classes. This was Trevor’s second APHA show, having been showing more recently at the Pinto shows.
Taylor Keiser and Good Girl Gone Bad
Numbers were good, with the Amateur Walk Trot division remaining one of the biggest, with 15+ horses in the Western Pleasure. It was also great to see the junior horse classes growing (close to 10 in the pleasure) as well as the youth and novice youth classes. WSPHC offered Ranch Riding this year, in addition to Ranch Pleasure, which continues to draw a lot of interest. Laura Miller and barn mate, Tracy Shultz, traded in their regular show gear to make appearances in these Ranch classes. Laura showed her all-around gelding, Razor Tuf, for the first time in Ranch classes and Tracy showed her 17-hand gelding, One Fancy Dream, proving just how versatile Paint Horses really are!
Laura Miller and Tracy Shultz showing in Ranch classes. Photo courtesy of Laura Miller.
In between showing her gelding, Fool of Irony, in all around 14-18 events, Blayne Bell organized a blanket and stuffed animal drive for Seattle Children’s Hospital on behalf of the WSPHC youth club. She explained that she chose Seattle Children’s for a few reasons, the first being that a lot of people visit the kids but they don’t bring them anything and those kids are usually there for a long period of time. She believes they deserve to have new toys and blankets to comfort them. Another reason she noted is Cody Norquist, who she went to high school with, has spent a couple of years there being treated for cancer. “It’s a great hospital that really gives their all for the well-being of the kids, and I have always wanted to do something for them. We collected over 100 stuffed animals and some blankets as well.” Great job!
Overall, the show was great fun with tough competition from the mix of returning World Champions, show ring veterans, and APHA show newcomers. The show offered nice Trail courses designed by Robert Dehn and there were vendors for shopping, food for eating (thanks to sponsors Teresa Sullivan, Whitt Show Horses, and Olympia Copy & Printing), and to top it off, the weather cooperated, allowing us to show outside in the sunshine.
Check out the fun recap video created by WSPHC member Danyelle Harp, of Magic Look Photo and Design, also a first for our show!
Show High Points and more candids from the show are on WSPHC’s Facebook page.
Onward now to the Zone One show in a few weeks!
