Day 4 at 2014 AQHA Adequan Select World With Linda Coakley

EC Blog by: Linda Coakley

I’m going to bed at 1am and back up at 5:45 to get ready for the Horsemanship finals. Into the pen at 8, I am first up in the class.

Charlie is the best horse ever; he really gives 100% all the time. This is a very tough class, more than half of us are current or former World or Reserve World Champions! I feel that if I place well in this class, it is a real achievement. My friends Connie, Susie, Kathie and Rebecca are in with me; what a fun group!

What a show! I was Reserve World Champion in Horsemanship, Susie Johns was 4th, Rebecca Shelton was 8th, Kathy Tobin was 9th and Connie Marvik was 11th. Now, it’s time to give Charlie a little break, get him braided. and then on to the Equitation Finals this afternoon.

We headed back to the show pen for the Equitation Finals. There was another class of talented riders to compete against. Unfortunately, Anne Wilson’s horse was not feeling well, so she had to scratch. As we get to the gate, we receive some good news; he will be fine. I go in 8th. It was a fun and challenging pattern, and I feel good about my go, but there are some amazing riders here, so you never know.

After we went in for the rail work, Charlie feels good and I am very happy with him. As we line up for placings, I can see Kip and Ron in the stands. They are always more nervous than I am at this point! When the announcer placed me as the Reserve World Champion, Ron and Kip cheered like crazy.

When I left home to come down to Amarillo, my goal was to do as well as last year, and this actually put me ahead with three Reserve World Champion placings! I am so fortunate that I have great people to celebrate with, and of course, Ron, Kip and Charlie to help me on this journey.

At the end of the day, we celebrated, got to talk to my daughter Kaycee, as well as the many, many people who were cheering me on all week! Tomorrow, Charlie gets to rest, we pack, and then we head home. The only question still unanswered is if I am again in the running for overall High Point. Won’t know until tomorrow, so more later….

Linda