On The Cover – Alicia Matthies And This Cowboys Mine

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10 – September/October, 2025

By Delores Kuhlwein

“At its finest, rider and horse are joined not by tack, but by trust.”       – Author Unknown

Most horse owners fondly remember their first childhood horse, and for Alicia Matthies, he was “Max,” a retired halter horse her family joked was like a “big, red dog due to his friendly nature and calm temperament.” After her interest had been sparked by a riding lesson–a sixth birthday present from her grandparents–horse ownership of Max came not long afterward. Having such a treasure to show in 4-H, barrels, and at local shows was also a tremendous gift.

Showing at the upper levels of Amateur Western Pleasure, though, is entirely another matter, but Alicia partnered with This Cowboys Mine in September 2023–and once again, she’s showing another once-in-a-lifetime horse. Alicia says the 2019 gelding by The Lopin Machine and out of Suddens Leading Lady has a great mind and, “is definitely a character and has a great personality. He’s always happy and wants to be a show horse; he’s very honest in the show pen. The second he gets his forelock in, he knows it’s show time. He will show both on or off the rail, and nothing changes; I love his ability to let me put him wherever I want in the show arena.”

Click here to read the complete article
10 – September/October, 2025