Anne Oldfather – A Passion for Excellence
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194 – January/February, 2024
By Susan Winslow
When Anne Oldfather of McKinney, Texas, stood in the show pen at the 2018 All American Quarter Horse Congress–listening to the numbers being called–she was thrilled just to be in the top ten. Then, as all the numbers but hers were called, she realized that she had won the Level 1 14-18 Showmanship championship with her beloved partner, One Exclusive Cookie aka “Cash”. Not only did they win over a talented group of over 150 other competitors, but they did it at their very first trip to the Congress.
Oldfather recalls, “I just couldn’t believe it! Micah Hansen was my trainer at that time, and my goal was just to place in a class at that show. I had already placed fifteenth in another class, and I was so happy to reach that goal. Because of that, I went into the Showmanship more relaxed and just enjoying the experience. I love that arena and after the first pattern went pretty well, I was super excited to think that I might just place in the class. When I did my second pattern and it got down to those last few people, I couldn’t believe I was one of them; and when we won, it was just the best feeling. I was so proud of Cash. To have worked so hard for so long to get there, and to have my parents, my trainer, and people who cared about me there to share the experience was just incredible.”
Growing up in Kearney, Nebraska, Oldfather was surrounded by horses. She recalls, “I have three older sisters, Timmari, Tiffany and Sarah. My dad, Dave, is a huge horse person and we always had horses at home. We had some family members who had shown at some local shows and a cousin who showed at some Quarter Horse shows. When I told my dad I wanted to start showing, he was excited to have a daughter that had an interest in showing, and he has been so supportive all the way. My mom doesn’t really love the horses like my dad does, but she is a great horse mom and she’s been so supportive of this for me.”
Click here to read the complete article
194 – January/February, 2024
