Full Circle: A Horse, A Trainer, And The Mentor Who Taught Them Both

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227 – January/February, 2025

By Brittany Vermeer

It’s good to remember that when we achieve success in life, it’s due, at least in part, to those who have come before us.

Seldom do we get the opportunity to reciprocate and show our appreciation. But that’s exactly what happened at The Championship Show in September 2024 when a horse, a trainer, and the mentor who taught them both reunited once more.

Many readers are familiar with Hand Made Machine, the highly decorated Trail and Western Riding gelding that’s shown in Amateur events by Grant Mastin and Open events by trainers Ryan Cottingim and Amanda Gately. With AQHA Youth World Championships, NSBA World Champion titles, and Quarter Horse Congress trophies to his credit, “Carl” is a beloved figure on the AQHA show circuit.

But this horse has a history that extends far beyond the past few years of dominance in the show pen. Carl was originally a product of Tommy Sheets Show Horses, and so was Ryan.

Don’t worry. We’ll explain all that shortly.

But for now, all you need to know is what happened when Ryan saw an intriguing class listed on The Championship Show schedule…

“When Melissa [Grant’s mother] and I saw the class schedule, we noticed there was a Limited Rider Senior Trail class with a substantial amount of added money,” Ryan says. “We both independently, and at the same time, thought how neat it would be if Tommy would show Carl again.”

A Promising Young Trainer and a Talented Horse

Click here to read the complete article
227 – January/February, 2025