A Trail Filled Day at Sudden Impulse NSBA Show and Futurity

By: Jillian Sinclair

It was a rainy start to day three of the “A Sudden Impulse” NSBA Show and Futurity at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, FL. Thanks to the pristine indoor arenas, top-notch competitors were able to give their all in classes laced with tough competition. While Arena One hosted a variety of Youth and Novice Horsemanship and Ranch Riding classes, Arena Two was filled with Trail competitors of all ages and levels.

Green Junior Trail started off the day with a total of 31 entries. The rider to take home the trophy was Melissa Jones for Jessica Baird with partner, IB Real Lazy, who laid out an impressive pattern.

“He’s just a great horse and he’s really good-minded, so I was really happy that he was able to make it to the top today,”  said Baird.

The pattern consisted of obstacles that required precise navigating, as well as a line of mirrors next to a lope-over section. Some horses were caught off guard by the mirrors, which inevitably caused their strides to become out of place with where they needed to be. Brad Ost placed second in the trainer-filled class on Call You Later. The pair that earned the third-place spot was Carmen Mayabb riding Drinks R On Me.

Following the Green Junior Trail class was the Six & Over Non-Pro Trail with 15 horse-and-rider combinations. Emma Gore, a youth exhibitor, held her own in this tough class and ended up taking the first-place spot with her horse, KM Genuinely Best. Courtney Mortiz and Lifes Good came in second place, followed by Rachel Trebesh and No Doubt I Shine in third.

After a quick lunch and drag break, the show started back with the Four and Five-Year-Old Open Trail. Of the 16 riders, Carli Pitts Jerrell and Phat Tuesday navigated their way to the winner’s circle.

“It was a really good class. I was super happy with her today. She listened to everything I asked. I can always trust her to be there for me. Today, she was ‘Perfect Patti,’ or ‘Patti the Princess,’ which is what we always call her,” said Jerrell.

Jerrell also mentioned that the class was filled with some of the best Trail professionals in the industry, and she was honored to be at the top with them. Following close behind were Blake Weis and Hot Lopin Lily in second and Carmen Mayabb and Good To Be Lazee in third.

The Ranch classes began in Arena One after lunch, starting with the Amateur Ranch Riding. Courtney Dobbs piloted Fancy Blue Roo through an alluring pattern, which ultimately led to their first-place win.

“Roo is just an awesome horse. He goes out there and loves his job. He lays out a great pattern, and he just went out there and knew exactly what to do,” exclaimed Dobbs.

Allison Lone and her horse, Little Jersey Chic, slid into the second-place spot with Amanda Bryant coming in third on Sister Sour Mash. Based on the smiles and laughs, exhibitors were clearly having fun during the class with a large crowd cheering them on.

Back in Arena Two, the Youth Trail All Ages finished out the day with nine exhibitors. There was a tie for the first-place spot which was ultimately broken by the tie-breaker judge, Mike Hatchel. Although their scores were the same, KM Genuinely Best and Emma Gore walked away with another trophy. Madison Fussell took the second and third place spot on her two horses, Good At Da Bar and Ramblin Mann.

The competition will resume at the World Equestrian Center this week. Stay tuned for more coverage on EquineChronicle.com.