Kail explained that at an AQHA event or an NRHA event they judge the horse. For the IHSA, they judge the riders on how well they present those horses. They rarely ride the same horse and have no opportunity to warm those horses up or to know what they’re like. “They go in there cold turkey,” he said. “That’s a tough thing to do.” Kail said that the IHSA format helps to develop riders. “I’ve trained horses for 35-40 years,” he said. “Every time I rode a horse, it taught me something.”

“It’s an honor to recognize the breeders who are the backbone of AQHA,” said AQHA Executive Vice President Craig Huffhines. “They have kept the tradition of the American Quarter Horse alive through their knowledge and dedication, and ensure that the success of the breed will continue for many generations to come.”

The 2019 Lucas Oil AQHA World Championship Show is scheduled for November 7-23 in Oklahoma City.

A Good Machine was bred by Dawn Schroeter of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, and was owned by MC Equine Enterprise LLC of Whitesboro, Texas. After a stellar career in the show ring, mostly in western pleasure, A Good Machine went to the breeding shed where he sired the earners of more than 32,500 AQHA points. His foals have earned more than $2 million in the show pen. He was euthanized in 2011.

“We have a lot of the same riders that we had last year, but it’s a horse show so anything can happen,” Zimmerman said. “They came in with their A-game. They had the mindset and the technique and the tools. It was a lot of fun to see.”

The Purina Ranch Challenge will include Ranch Riding, Ranch Rail, and Conformation with $2,500 in added money. The event will take place Friday, May 24, 2019 beginning at 6:00 pm at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, MO. There will be $1,500 added money in the open, $500 added money in the amateur, and $500 added money in the youth. 

“It was out of the goodness of her heart because we were competitors. We were very friendly to each other, but we were competitors,” Sams said. “She gave me something that I had worked so hard for. And for her to give me that opportunity–it was awesome. And now I have a great friendship.”

When asked what she enjoys most about showing, Silver says, “Since we started working together this year, I appreciate how patient he is and how he is always willing to try new things. I can’t wait to see how we do this year.”