Some of today’s big winners in the Showmanship and Halter included Elizabeth Forney with One Hot Big Leaguer, Larry Spratto with Just That Lucky, Phyllis Steffen with A Krymsun Investment, and Mallory Vroegh with Krymsun Belle.

“There were good size classes today with the Senior Trail topping 32 head! In the Level 1 there were 27 horses shown.”

Following the Ranch Riding was the Western Riding, which ended with a 17 head Open class won by Becca Hurst with Moonlight Rodder on two cards, and Millissa Daurer with KM Zip Me Suddenly winning on the third card. Other winners this afternoon included As The World Terms with both Becca Hurst in the Open and Penny Jargella in the Amateur Select, UF A Light Smoke and Emma Garcia in the Novice Youth Equitation, and Good Going Danica and Karen Boxell in the Select Equitation.

Yesterday started off with Trail, including a 30-head Sr. Trail class. There were many across the board winners including Jessica Baird with Cool Lopin Lady in the Novice Amateur, Logan Wheeler with Best Believe It in the Amateur, Ellexxah Maxwell with Zips Bossy Chip in the Youth, and Jennifer Paul with Some Hot Potential in that 30-head Senior class.

“What mattered more than a pretty face, a shiny show saddle, or in Speedy’s case, a forelock extension, is that all of the superficiality was gone and the sole reason I was out there was to ride, bond, and succeed with my equine partner.”

Gamblers are notoriously superstitious, and many athletes, including equestrians, share that same trait. I trekked through the barn aisles and practice pens today to find out if any of the horse trainers or fellow competitors had any lucky charms, superstitions, or rituals prior to showing.