Tamra Sisk– #604 is my lucky number. My birthday is June 4th.”
What’s in a Number? Competitors Discuss the Significance Behind Their Back Numbers
What’s in a number?
By: Brittany Bevis
At many horse shows, competitors are allowed to select a specific back number. Some choose numbers that reference a birthday or anniversary; a lucky number or combination of even or odd numbers; or a number pairing that has special significance or meaning.
Others believe in numerology, the study of individual numbers and their perceived literal or symbolic meaning. Even certain cultures and religions place emphasis on numbers. For example, the number 3 is said to symbolize perfection, unity, and the Holy Trinity, while the number 40 is often associated with a time of testing and trials. In the Chinese culture, 2 is considered to be a good number because “good things come in pairs.” Also, 8 is linked to prosperity, wealth, and success.
We spoke with a few equestrians who shared the significance behind their favorite back numbers.
#555- Kelsey Tumey and Demi in the Dark
Kelsey Tumey– “#555 was my first show horse’s number when we won Grand Champion Gelding at the 4H State Fair. After he passed, I always used it with my mare, Demi in the Dark. I even got it tattooed on my back between my shoulder blades where my Showmanship number would be. Carli Pitts and her family even used to refer to me as the ‘555 girl’ before we knew each other!”
Marylyn Caliendo– “I’m superstitious. I like #918, even numbers like #700, or numbers in numerology that round up to 2, 3, or 9.”
Becky Meadows– “I like even numbers, because they divide easily, but I’m not sure why I like that…”
#357- Brister Shum and Genuine Sheik
Brister Shum– “My number became #357 ten years ago. At the Florida Gold Coast Circuit, I was randomly given that back number. I won the High Point All Around at that circuit. It was my first big All Around win. I showed Genuine Sheik under the guidance of Dan and Darlene Trein. Dan joked that I had brought out the ‘big guns’ with my 357! Two years ago, I sold Sheik to Allie Paul, and she sent me $3.57 of her own money to pay for him!”
Eric Mendrysa- “The number I always choose is #6142, while the number might seem like it has no significance to others, this was the number that was given to me the first time I won at the Quarter Horse Congress in 2012. Ever since, it’s been my go-to number when given the opportunity to choose my own.”
#342- Marley’s Grandpa
#342- Marley Mainwaring
Mindie Maus- “My daughter, Marley Mainwaring, wears #342 at every show. My dad and Marley’s Grandpa, Sam Maus, has raced boats and cars all his life and always used a number with a 42 in it for the year he was born! The most successful of his race numbers, when I was a child, was in fact #342. Therefore, we choose #342 to show appreciation to the person who makes this all possible!”
#1105- Courtney Suthoff and Skip A Lil Assets
Courtney Suthoff– “I use #1105 every time I show, unless one is pre-assigned to me at shows like the Congress and World Show. Initially, I began using #1105 because our barn uses numbers that end in ‘05 to keep track of everyone’s placings. Also, I was told that sticking with the same number and keeping a consistent appearance (tail always being braided for hunt seat, etc.) was a great way to be recognized. However, my number has evolved to mean so much more to me.”
“I began using #1105 in 2014 with a new horse, Skipalilassets (Rusty). Rusty was so fun to show and we placed well, so it was always cool to hear the announcers say ‘first under all three judges, #1105…” Having the number be visible in my ads also became a running joke that year because it was just part of our look!”
“We finished that year winning the AQHA and NSBA Highpoint in Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. That was a lifelong dream of mine, so when I see my number today, it brings back great memories from traveling around the country showing. I know some people leave the number with the horse, but the number was so special to me that I’m now using it with my new 3-year-old Hunter Under Saddle futurity horse, WF Big Asset (Doc) – and it’s been just as lucky!”
John Thompson
John Thompson– “I’ve never really thought about the number thing. I’ve had clients who like to pick numbers, because they think it will bring them good luck, I guess, but I don’t really have a preference. I just always put my number on my pad, and I might think, ‘that’s a good number,’ even though it’s probably different every time. At the end of the day, I’m just happy to have a great ride and hope for a great result!”
Author’s Note- “Back in 2004, when I was traveling around the country running for the APHA 14-18 # 1 Youth in the Nation title with my horse Spot Me A Seven, a specific number seemed to show up frequently. I was randomly assigned #234 at a horse show, and, from then on, that same sequence of numbers seemed show up in odd places. When we stopped at a gas station, a bottle of water and granola bar would cost $2.34. When we checked out at the horse show office, the bill would be $234. When we checked into our hotel, we’d receive room #234, so #234 became the number I always requested during that year.”
Is there a particular number you like to use at horse shows? What’s its significance? Tell us on The Equine Chronicle Facebook page and we will add to this article!
Facebook Fan responses:
Gay Cooper– “#13, My first child was born on Friday the 13th and it was very lucky for me.”
Gail Scheller– “#105 is my lucky number because I bought Tai Me High on January 5th and Ollie won the Congress for me the first year I had him. Now, I’m using #105 with Krymsun Truffle. Booty you have big boots to fill!”
Melanie Robinson– “I’ve been showing under #109 since 1991 and it’s never let me down!”
Wendy Hardy- “Mine was #69…everyone remembered that number.”
LaTaya May- “I always showed with the #525. If you look on a phone, it’s also KBL which stands for Kim, my mom; Bre-Anna, my older sister; and L for me!”
Deb Herman– “#267 was my son’s lucky number. When he stopped showing, I started using it and it’s been lucky for me as well.”
Beth Ann Conrad– “#6”
Amy Phillips– “#8483 was my number the first time I represented my county at the state fair horse show and I still use it to this day when I show.”
Jennifer Wastler Baker– “#7 was always lucky and is God’s number of completion.”
Brenda Stevermer– “#448”
Erin Fawcett- “#7808, the year I was born and the year my son was born.”
Bill and Connie Durbin- “#39 or any version of 3 or 9. At my very first horse show, my number was 39, and I was showing a very stubborn pony and lived.”
Merilie Dawn Blickenstaff- “#222, because 22 was my daughter’s number through her show years. When she went to college, I took over her horse and started showing again. So, with a new era of mom and horse, I added an extra 2. I love the number. I took a couple years off showing and someone else had my #222, so then I used #710 for the birth date and birth weight of my first granddaughter.”
Mary Pezak-Whitley- “#13 is my lucky number and has been since my first show. I always request it or dig through the piles of numbers to find one with 13 in it.”
Natoshia Kelly– #410 or #481 if I have two horses. It’s my birthdate and birth year. The year I won my AQHA High Point, my number was #481, which was the first time I ever showed with an odd number. I truly believed it was bad luck, but I was proven wrong. Now those are my two go-to numbers.”
Stacy Erin Waterous- “#10, because my horse’s name is Perfect Ten.”
Catie Donahue- “I use #556 mostly because #56 is my lucky number and adding an extra 5 makes it easy to remember. I tried #1056, #856, and #456, but then I tried 556 and it’s just worked ever since.”
Jerri Rorke– “#1717… 17 is my lucky number.”
Kristy Doyle- “I graduated in 1998 and started showing APHA then. My first horse showed under #198, and then I added a 1 to the first digit for each subsequent horse. I’ve had to recycle some numbers over the years, but Dixie Norfleet McCue has been #298 at every show since 2001. I’m currently using #198, #298, #398, #498, and #698 at most shows.”
Martha Heavisides– “#13 is my lucky number. At my first AQHA show, I got #613. We had an amazing season. #613 is our number.”
