Brandon Perry

Farm and/or Trainer Affiliation:

Mike McMillian, Scott Suggs

In what divisions do you compete?

Halter, Western Pleasure & All-Around Amateur

How do you feel the participation of amateurs has improved the image/growth of your breed?

Many amateurs showed when they were in youth, some without a break. That day-in, day-out experience helps to improve the quality of exhibitors.  This, in turn, makes them hard to beat in the show ring.

How did you choose the horses you are showing? What made these horses more desirable to you than others?

Most of the horses we currently own are competitive at the highest level. They are all talented at what they do and that is what we look for when picking out a horse. My family and I enjoy showing and winning, and we try to find horses that will help us reach our goals.

Do you feel that amateurs are better horsemen than they were 5 years ago?

Yes, all riders from trainers to novice are and should be constantly improving. I believe showing helps push amateurs toward improvement. It allows us to see what it takes to win and gives us incentive to practice; which, in turn, helps us to learn more about our horses and horses in general. Others who do not show now have more opportunities to gain knowledge through clinics and instructional video’s.

In what ways has competing as an amateur enriched your life?

Competition gives you the opportunity to learn more about yourself, your strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. Showing horses has taught me about responsibility and hard work and helped me gain confidence.

Brandon Perry

Farm and/or Trainer Affiliation:

Classic Acres • Jeff Ison

In what division do you compete?

Halter

How do you feel the participation of amateurs has improved the image/growth of your breed?

I believe that Amateurs are the backbone of our industry. The vast majority of horses are owned by the amateur and this has allowed the breed to grow and evolve into what it is today.

How did you choose the horses you are showing? What made these horses more desirable to you than others?

Most of the horses that we show are ones that we have bred and raised. By showing these horses, it is more satisfying.

Do you feel that amateurs are better horsemen than they were 5 years ago?

I believe that amateurs are more “horse” educated than before. I also believe that the quality of horses is getting better.

In what ways has competing as an amateur enriched your life?

I enjoy traveling and having the opportunity to meet people from all over the country and I thrive on the competition.

Roger Perry

Farm and/or Trainer Affiliation:

Classic Acres • Jeff Ison

In what division do you compete?

Halter

How do you feel the participation of amateurs has improved the image/growth of your breed?

Anytime you can get more people involved in an activity, such as horse ownership, the potential for growth is increased. Youth, Amateur and professional involvement keeps the excitement and energy alive. More should be done to promote the involvement of the owner/amateur such as Novice and Limited classes, Over-50 or even Ladies classes.

How did you choose the horses you are showing? What made these horses more desirable to you than others?

For me, the challenge is breeding the horses that we show. Choosing the right mare and stallion and watching the development of the young horse, and hopefully raising a world champion.

Do you feel that amateurs are better horsemen than they were 5 years ago?

Because of the increased competition, it has forced everyone to become better horsemen. To compete at the world level, both horse and exhibitor have to be at the top of their game.

In what ways has competing as an amateur enriched your life?

I have always been in competition in sports and business, and as you grow older, you are limited in your ability to participate in certain sports. Showing horses can be the thrill of competition that gets lost as you grow older.

Victoria Eggers

Farm and/or Trainer Affiliation:

Cross Creek Ranch • Michael Short

In what divisions do you compete?

All-around amateur

How do you feel the participation of amateurs has improved the image/growth of your breed?

Many of the amateurs take an active role in our association, the American Paint Horse Association. They reside on committees, attend our convention and workshop, and volunteer their time at shows and for the various clubs. This type of participation shows that our amateurs care about our breed and take pride in our association.

How did you choose the horses you are showing? What made these horses more desirable to you than others?

We breed our horses selectively and this determines our future show string. However, we have purchased a few two and three year-olds. We chose them based on the gut feeling and intuition of my trainer, my husband and myself. My trainer, Michael, looks for movement and mind, my husband looks for personality and gentleness, and I look for all of the above.

Do you feel that amateurs are better horsemen than they were 5 years ago?

The competition is tough at the national level for the all-around amateur rider. The standard of horsemanship has and always will be high for the amateur who rides the patterns as well as the rail classes. We have to be able to ride our horses in order to get them shown and to win in the show pen. The “passenger” riders cannot compete for the all-around prize.

In what ways has competing as an amateur enriched your life?

Being the #1 Amateur in 2000 for the APHA was an honor as well as a long-time goal. The most satisfaction comes from the youths or the novice amateurs who compliment a performance, congratulate a win or even ask me for help. Being a role model to these fresh riders is the ultimate gratification for me.

Larry McNabney

Farm and/or Trainer Affiliation:

Greg Whalen • Blue Ribbon Farms

In what division do you compete?

Halter

How do you feel the participation of amateurs has improved the image/growth of your breed?

I have only been showing for two years, but feel like the Quarter Horse, as a breed, is absolutely the best. An amateur like myself gets to grow with the breed and meet wonderful people along the way.

How did you choose the horses you are showing? What made these horses more desirable to you than others?

My first horse was bought for me by my wife, Elisa. She bought Smooth Town Kid so I would stay at the shows with her while she showed her rider. At my first show, I was hooked! After that, I put my trust in Greg Whalen and Bob Kail to pick a horse that will work with me. I get to show horses bred on the ranch which is really nice for me and my trainers.

Do you feel that amateurs are better horsemen than they were 5 years ago?

Just in the time I have been showing, the quality has improved. I see the quality of horses improve and the level of showmanship rising. I know I have come a long way in two years.

In what ways has competing as an amateur enriched your life?

The horse shows are social events. We get to see our friends, show great horses, go golfing and have a wonderful time. There isn’t anything like it.

Melissa Busch

Farm and/or Trainer Affiliation:

Mike McMillian, Scott Suggs

In what divisions do you compete?

Halter, Western Pleasure & All-Around Amateur

How do you feel the participation of amateurs has improved the image/growth of your breed?

Many amateurs showed when they were in youth, some without a break. That day-in, day-out experience helps to improve the quality of exhibitors.  This, in turn, makes them hard to beat in the show ring.

How did you choose the horses you are showing? What made these horses more desirable to you than others?

Most of the horses we currently own are competitive at the highest level. They are all talented at what they do and that is what we look for when picking out a horse. My family and I enjoy showing and winning, and we try to find horses that will help us reach our goals.

Do you feel that amateurs are better horsemen than they were 5 years ago?

Yes, all riders from trainers to novice are and should be constantly improving. I believe showing helps push amateurs toward improvement. It allows us to see what it takes to win and gives us incentive to practice; which, in turn, helps us to learn more about our horses and horses in general. Others who do not show now have more opportunities to gain knowledge through clinics and instructional video’s.

In what ways has competing as an amateur enriched your life?

Competition gives you the opportunity to learn more about yourself, your strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. Showing horses has taught me about responsibility and hard work and helped me gain confidence.