Three World Champions in a Row at 2013 Appaloosa World Show For Megan Wagner, Beth Case, and Maestas Show Horses
By: Brittany Bevis
UPDATE: Just a few moments ago, Megan Wagner and Tank made it three for three at the Appaloosa World Show by winning the Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle by the unanimous decision of the judges.
Meet “Tank!” Image courtesy of Maestas Show Horses
Yesterday, at the 2013 Appaloosa World Championship Show, Halloween was more about treats than tricks for Maestas Show Horses as they claimed their second World Championship title in a row with Megan Wagner’s 2-year-old hunter under saddle gelding, Handsoffmyartifacts.
On Wednesday, consummate hunt seat professional Beth Case was in the irons with “Fishtank Tank” as he was named the unanimous winner in the Two-Year-Old Snaffle Bit Hunter Under Saddle Futurity. Then, on Thursday, Case rode Tank to a win in the Open Two and Three-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Maturity. Today, it’s owner Megan Wagner’s turn in the saddle to compete for the Non-Pro division title.
Tank, a statuesque 17.1 hand gelding, is by All Hands On Zip and out of an Indian Artifacts mare, Ms Artifactual. He currently competes under the guidance of Maestas Show Horses, which is located in Aubrey, Texas. Wagner credits horse trainer, Arturo Maestas, and Jesse Jones with the ability to maintain a high level of performance and a happy disposition in the 2-year-old over four strenuous days of horse showing.
“We bought Tank in July,” she says. “Arturo found him at the Pinto World Show. Justin Johnson had him there. He was broke but very green. He didn’t know anything. The first time we showed him was at the Reichert. I won the Non-Pro 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle with him there, and this is just his third horse show that we’ve taken him to. He’s just really cool. He’s really good-minded and really quiet.”
Tank poses with his best buddies, Arturo Maestas and Jesse Jones. Image courtesy of Megan Wagner.
Wagner has competed in ApHC events for quite some time now and has accumulated multiple titles, but she let us in on a little secret… She’s never had a horse be named a World Champion in Hunter Under Saddle. After seven Reserve World Champion titles with other mounts, her dream has finally come true.
“It was so exciting! I’ve had seven Reserve World Champions but never had one win,” she says. “It was really exciting for Arturo and Jessie, because they’ve worked so hard on him. They have done a great job with the horse. This is the third horse show we’ve taken him to and he has to show four days in a row and his ears are up and he’s happy. They’ve done a phenomenal job. And Beth did an absolutely beautiful job of showing him, obviously!”
A long day at the Appaloosa World Show for Maestas and Tank. Image courtesy of Maestas Show Horses.
After Wagner competes in the Non-Pro division of the class today, she and Tank will show one more time in the Non-Pro/ Youth 5 and Under Hunter Under Saddle Maturity tomorrow.
“I feel like there is a little bit of pressure, but I’m trying not to worry about it,” she says. “This is the easiest horse that I’ve had to show, so hopefully it will all work out.”
Tank isn’t the only horse owned by Wagner that’s having a successful 2013 World Show. Maestas rode her three-year-old mare, Sticker Chock, aka “Surprise,” to an eighth place finish in Junior Trail. Also, Wagner piloted Be My Example, aka “Chachi,” to a fourth place finish in Showmanship and a tenth place finish in Horsemanship.
After she competes in the Non-Pro Maturity later today, Wagner is looking forward to watching some of the highlighted events of the Appaloosa World Show.
“The show has been really good,” she says. “I haven’t gotten to watch very much, because I’ve been driving to and from work. The turnout has been great, and there have been a lot of people in the stands. There were 15 in the Masters Reining, which is a lot for the older age division. There are still the two Maturities left, Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle, and the Freestyle Reining. Tonight is the Rope Race, which is like musical chairs with horses! It is usually a big draw for everybody.”
Larry Williams Photography released photo.
A big congratulations goes to Megan Wagner, Beth Case, and Maestas Show Horses on this exciting double win.
Click on the links below to view results from the Appaloosa World Show.
2013 World Championship Appaloosa Show Results (Oct. 30th)
2013 World Championship Appaloosa Show Results (Oct. 31st)
