Who Are Selects? Reflecting On My World Show Journey

Brister, Steve, and Spur Shum

EC Blog by: Brister Shum

Although it’s only day seven of the 2015 AQHA Select World Championship Show, it’s my last day. I was thrilled with my Top Five placing in Performance Halter Mares with my beautiful mare, TheCenterOfAttention, and I look forward to next year in more events.

My husband, Steve, had a beautiful go in Horsemanship…but so did almost everyone in the class. No finals for him, but much pride in a job well done. The quality of horses here and the calibre of the riders is phenomenal. In every class I watched, there were many who could have taken home the gold. Select exhibitors, at this level, are much tougher than one might think!

A few observations:

Conversations with people stalled next to you often result in lifelong friendships.

1. Selects are kind to each other– Steve became dehydrated before showing and was already mounted on his horse. He asked a “stranger” to hold his horse while he got some tea. She said, “I’ll hold your horse AND get your tea!” She is no longer a stranger!

2. Selects make friends fast– Since the show gets over early most days, there is time for socializing. Conversations with people stalled next to you often result in lifelong friendships.

3. Selects whistle and clap for the best runs, even if they don’t know the exhibitor– A smoking Reining run or Horsemanship pattern was clearly rewarded by thunderous applause from the crowd. Sportsmanship abounded.

4. Select Finalists or 15th place exhibitors accept their awards with a smile- They still rush to the AQHA booth to get their vests! Everyone wants “hardware” or a Top Five or Top Ten placing. Being gracious when you’re disappointed is a true sign of character.

Spur making friends!

5. Selects can’t walk past a Golden Retriever (or cute dog) without petting him- Our dog, Spur, made more friends than we did…and loved it!

I have truly enjoyed blogging for The Equine Chronicle! See you next year!