Amateur Exhibitor, Brian Brady, Does AQHA Proud on Wheel of Fortune!
By: Brittany Bevis
It’s not every day that you get to teach Pat Sajak a thing or to, but AQHA/APHA amateur exhibitor, Brian Brady, did just that when he appeared on the long-standing television game show- Wheel of Fortune! Known as the longest-running syndicated game show in the US, Wheel has been a part of many a family’s dinner-time conversations since 1975.
Brady was one of those kids, who helped to solve the Hangman’s puzzle alongside his great grandmother. All that practice was put to good use earlier this year when he was selected to appear on the show.
“I saw the advertisement that the Wheel Mobile was going to be in Little Rock, Arkansas, where I live,” Brian says. “I have always watched Wheel Of Fortune, as long as I can remember, and I know I wanted to try out. I used to watch with my great grandmother every night as a kid.”
“I went to the auditions, and there was a small form to fill out. Then, they randomly drew names. I didn’t get picked during the first session, so I stayed for the second. I was one of the first names called. They played a bit of a speed round, to call out letters, and you have to guess the puzzle. It was a lot of fun.”
Apparently, they thought that Brian would be a good choice for the show, so he was scheduled to appear in a taping that would take place on February 7th. Unfortunately, that fell on the same day as a horse show; but, Brian decided the sacrifice would be worth it. “You know, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I kept telling myself that there would be more horse shows. Well, there will be, but I haven’t been since December, so that seems like forever ago!”
Although Brian has never been on a game show before, he watches the Wheel “religiously” every night. “The experience itself was so much fun, but such a long day. They taped five shows that day, and the show I was on was the last one to tape. It was like a 12-hour day, but it was truly an amazing experience.”
Brian says he was most nervous for the toss-up puzzles. “The toss-up puzzles are at the beginning. You hold a buzzer and letters appear on a screen to fill out a word or phrase. The first person to buzz and answer correctly wins the round. I wanted to be first, and I think that’s where my nerves got the best of me.”
“There was a puzzle on the show for the category- place- and the place was Oklahoma City! I just realized the answer to the hangman’s puzzle too late. I think that if I could change one thing it would be to have solved the puzzle for Oklahoma City, because we show there a lot! I realized it after calling the wrong vowel.”
Although Brian did miss that puzzle, he solved “Scientific Breakthrough” and “The Wild West Wing,” which resulted in him winning $6,700! But, by far, our favorite part of the episode was when Brian explained to Pat Sajak what an American Quarter Horse is!
Scroll below to watch Brian’s episode. If you have a great story to share about a unique experience, email B.Bevis@EquineChronicle.com.
