EquineChronicle.com Top 10 Stories of 2020
By: Brittany Bevis
It’s that time of year again when we review the Top 10 stories on EquineChronicle.com! It’s always fun to see what keeps our readers coming back for more.
From inspiring stories about riders overcoming adversity and interviews with World Champions to news about the effect of COVID-19 on the horse show scene, the Top 10 stories in 2020 ran the gamut.
#10- The Bradshaw Bunch Coming to a TV Near You
This fun story relayed news of the creation of a new reality TV show that gave viewers an unprecedented look at life on Terry Bradshaw’s farm in rural Oklahoma with his wife, Tammy, and daughters, Rachel, Erin, and Lacey, with guest appearances by his grandchildren.
#9- Top 5 Western Pleasure Sires For 2019
Who were the Top 5 Western Pleasure Sires for 2019, according to AQHA statistics? Everybody wanted to know, making this our ninth most viewed post from 2020. Machine Made, RL Best of Sudden, No Doubt Im Lazy, Lazy Loper, and Batt Mann topped the list.
#8- COVID-19 Foal Names For 2020
2020 was a challenging year for everyone with the devastating, global COVID-19 pandemic. Some horse breeders chose to focus on the positive during those dark times by coming up with creative show names for their 2020 offspring. Some of our readers’ favorite included Huntin For TP, VS Total Isolation, and No Kissing The Girls.
#7- How Will Coronavirus After the Horse Industry This Summer? Statements From APHA, AQHA, NSBA Regarding Events
Cancellations began with the AQHA Convention and Houston Livestock Show and then quickly progressed to include the Appaloosa Youth World, APHA Youth World Show, and finally Quarter Horse Congress, amidst a host of other postponed and cancelled events across the country.
#6- AQHA World Champions Include JoJo Roberson- 14-18 Showmanship and Grant Mastin- 14-18 L1 Western Riding
One of the events that did take place during the pandemic was the AQHA Youth World Show. JoJo Roberson’s win with her long-maned Reiner turned All-Around superstar in Showmanship, as well as Grant Mastin’s first big win, made this our number 6 story in 2020.
#5- One Day Can Change Everything- Prayers For Autumn Zundel
Friends in the industry rallied together to lift up prayers of healing and to spur on fundraising efforts following the sudden hospitalization of beloved, AQHA youth competitor, 13-year-old, Autumn Zundel.
#4- Rita Crundwell Appeals For Compassionate Release From Federal Prison
Our readers had different opinions about a Forbes article released in early May of 2020 that included an appeal by the former World Champion horse breeder and ex Comptroller for the City of Dixon, IL., Rita Crundwell. Within the document, she filed for compassionate release from prison, due to COVID-19, among other factors.
#3- Check Out Incredible New Stalls at World Equestrian Center Ocala
Our readers were very excited to see the incredible new set up at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala that opened in December of 2020 with the Tom Powers Christmas Challenge.
#2- COVID-19 Slams the Barn Door Shut on Cash Flow For Horse Businesses
This helpful blog listed a variety of ways horse business owners could use the down-time caused by the pandemic to work on different aspects of their operations.
#1- Sincerest Condolences Following Passing of Susan Scott
The number one story in 2020 was a sad one, recounting the loss of a friend in the industry, Susan Scott. However, the fact that this story was the most viewed in 2020 serves to illustrate how beloved the matriarch of Haylo Farms really was to her friends and family.
