Chelsea Gorius and U Wanna Peace Of Me shine at Arizona Fall Championship
Chelsea Gorius, who used to show with Geno Spagnola and Gretchen Mathis, was introduced by Geno to trainer Kristin Brock at a horse show. Since she now lives across the street from her in Cave Creek, Arizona, one day Chelsea grabbed her young horse, U Wanna Peace Of Me, aka “Vinny,” and walked across the street. “And he’s been with Kristin ever since, and she’s done an unbelievable job with him,” says Chelsea.
Their progress was evident Friday, September 20th at the 2024 Arizona Fall Championship when the duo found out they won the circuit for L1 Amateur Hunter Under Saddle and received their first trophy.
Chelsea says the three-year-old has been the best boy ever. “He’s been so calm. We started taking him to the horse shows as a two-year-old and he’s just taking it like a pro. Every single show he’s been to he has been perfect and such a good boy.”
Friday’s ride was no exception, she says. “He was trotting around perfectly, and he had his nose sticking out – I didn’t have to touch him at all. And I remembered what I had to do, thankfully, at the canter because I forgot the other day,” Chelsea laughs. “You definitely have to help the babies for sure. Kristin has been unbelievable, getting Vinny ready and teaching me how to prepare him and show him because I don’t normally show three-year-olds. So it has just been awesome, and I’m so happy for him.”
Her plans for him include a clear respect for the horse while getting him more exposure. “I’m excited he’ll be four, so maybe he’ll start doing some of the open classes and eventually getting ready to do the equitation next year. But I don’t want to give him too much to do yet because he’s still a baby.”
English is her chosen discipline, Chelsea explains tearfully, because she thinks it’s beautiful. “When I was a kid I had a horse, Zippos Mr Good Legs, and he just gave me all the confidence in the world. I could trot into the hunter saddle pen with all the confidence ever – he passed, unfortunately, Vinny is just like him, and that’s why I like the English – because of Zippos Mr Good Legs – ‘Jose.’”
