A Sudden Impulse NSBA Show and Futurity Kicks Off in Ocala, FL. 

By: Jillian Sinclair

The Sudden Impulse NSBA Show and Futurity began at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, FL on Friday morning. With a full slate of Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Trail, Western Pleasure, and Ranch classes on the schedule, Arena 1 and 2 were bustling with hopeful riders.

Young horses got to show their potential in classes like Green Hunter Under Saddle, Green Color Trail, and Green Western Pleasure. Beth Case took home the first under saddle class win of the week-long competition aboard A Blazing Legacy, owned by Courtney Suthoff. Second place was awarded to Alyse Roberts and Armageddon, while Jamie English and Its Game On placed third.

Next door, in Arena 2, Jay Starnes piloted A Secret Love, owned by Cheyenne Augsburger to the first place spot in Green Western Pleasure. “Stanley [A Secret Love] is truly a show horse,” Starnes says. “My wife has done all of the work on him. This is the first time I’ve shown him. I decided to show him here just to give it a little test run. He’s just a good show horse. He knows his job, and he does it well.”

Booted From The Bar and Kenny Lakins were second, followed by My Best Version and Dawn Baker who took the third-place spot. The top 3 placings remained victorious in the coinciding Southern Belle Breeder Green Western Pleasure class. A slightly more seasoned set of horses got to show their stuff in Junior Western Pleasure. Melissa Cook’s Line Up Behind stayed true to his name as he swept the competition with Cole Baker. Close behind was a tie between Knockin It Out and Gil Galyean, resulting in second place, and Snippity Snap with Aaron Moses, resulting in third.

Trail lasted most of the morning as riders navigated the thoughtfully designed course filled with raised rails and tightly placed obstacles. Cody Campbell navigated KNG Gotta Dance Good, owned by Emma Gore, to the top spot in Three-Year-Old Open Trail. Second place was Lazy Patrick with Ashley Clock-Dunbar, while Willies Winner came in third with Brent Crestwell. Following the green, Angela Stanhope showed Feeling Lazy to success in Amateur Select Trail. Adding a splash of color to the show ring, Haley Purkapile took home the coveted trophy in the Color Green Trail aboard Get In Line.

Outside in the Florida sunshine, Ranch riders demonstrated their ability in multiple Ranch Trail classes. Of the 15 competitors in Green Ranch Trail, Chris and Sharon Cartwright’s Sparkinanarch prevailed victorious with Andrey Ferreir. Scoresheets of the Junior Ranch Trail were led by Alison Meadow’s Little Jersey Chic and Steve Carrollton.

The competition will resume throughout the weekend in Arena 1 and 2 with a variety of Western Pleasure and Working Hunter classes along with Green Western Riding. Stakes will rise in the 4 and Over Maiden Trail, which has a prize of $15,000, the biggest purse seen so far at the show. With the tough competition in classes thus far, the rest of the show is sure to be a nail-biter.

Scroll below for more fun photos from the show.