NFL Seattle Seahawks Take Over Northwest Emerald Quarter Horse Show!

The Washington State Quarter Horse Association recently hosted the Northwest Emerald Quarter Horse Show at the Evergreen State Horse Park in Monroe, Washington, September 17th-20th, which attracted World Champion professionals, amateurs, and youth riders. In addition to having some of the most beautiful and talented horses here in the Northwest, the club welcomed some very special guests from the National Football League to the horse industry.

Parents of the NFL Seattle Seahawks Earl Thomas III (current 5-time All-Pro Safety) Earl Thomas II and Debbie Thomas, attended the show for the first time along with Seahawk alumni like Joe Tafoya on Saturday. Joe Tafoya (#69, former Defensive End/Linebacker) became a long time resident of Seattle and Seattle Seahawks player from 2005-2006 after being with the Chicago Bears from 2001-2003. He and his wife, Brandlyn Tafoya, have nearly 25 horses on their ranch in Redmond, Washington. Brandyln led their daughter aboard a pony named “Lady 12” in the Leadline competition.

Other former Seahawks that were supportive of the horse show included the original first Co-captain and Defensive Cornerback, Eddie McMillan, #41 (1976-1978), and Hillary Butler, #55 who played for the Seattle Seahawks in 1998. They were present in support of McMillan’s business partner Shelley Grant, who showed a yearling in the NSBA Open Yearling Longe Line. The red roan gelding named AbsolutelyNoticeable is by My Final Notice and out of a daughter by Absolute Investment.

This colt was born during the 2014 Kentucky Derby. Cindy Stephens-McCraw of Riverside Ranch mentioned that the colt was literally born at the exact same time that California Chrome exploded out of the starting gate. AbsolutelyNoticeable, aka “Chrome,” literally got up and started loping when California Chrome crossed the finish line at Churchhill Downs. At the Northwest Emerald Quarter Horse Show, Chrome placed first under judges Tony Burris and Clay McLeod, which clinched the NSBA class award.

Both Earl Thomas II and Debbie Thomas, of Orange, Texas, experienced the start of a little girl’s love for horses and the world of horse showing. They were on hand to greet horse show loving football fans at one of the Seahawk apparel vendor booths, “The Fan Cave,” for signings and photo opportunities to the public prior to their granddaughter Kaleigh showing in Leadline. Kaleigh Rose competed Saturday evening with “Good N Thirsty,” a horse owned by Kris Walburn, in Leadline. She was led by her trainer Kerri DeKubber-Woodward. Also making an appearance was “Lil Mini Earl.” The pony is part of the 12 Minis program, which raises awareness for children needing therapy due to domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and broken homes with the assistance of Hoobeats with Heart.

Horse Show Celebrities

The NW Emerald is the third largest show on the West Coast and attracts many champion competitors. Trainer Kip Larsen and Mike Davis brought with them Linda Coakley, a two-time AQHA Select World All Around winner and recent 2015 Reserve World Champion in Showmanship.

Trainer Kristy McCann is no stranger to the winner’s circle with several World titles in Western Riding. Besides her own multiple World Championship titles, customers Stephanie Richardson and Maggie McCrady have both won in Horsemanship and Dr. Candice Hall has been a Reserve World Champion in Western Riding.

Trainer Paige Stroud’s daughter, Graysen, has a Congress Championship in Horsemanship and went on to ride for the University of Georgia team on a full scholarship.

Mike and May Edwards recently competed at the AQHA Youth World Show and had several clients come home with finalist and top ten placings.

Baker Training Stables competed for the coveted 2-year-old NW Emerald Masters title and have the most wins under their belt in this futurity. This futurity offered $16,000 in purse money during the finale event on Saturday evening. The evening included 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure, Yearling Longe Line, All Breed 3 & 4-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle, 3-Year-Old All Breed Western Pleasure, and the Masters Futurity as the finale with the Leadline class taking place just prior. The winner of the Open Division was Monica Baker-Webb and Good For Certain (AQHA/APHA), a horse owned by Angela Finegan of Forest Grove, OR. The team earned $4,590 for first place.

The limited division winner and third place team in the Open was Kara Whitsell with Ocean Front Property (APHA), a horse owned by Patty Baker and trained by Monica Baker. Both exhibitors are sisters and trainers at Baker Training Stables in Olympia, Washington.

Click here to view complete results and photos from the show.