Paige Stopperich and Cowboys R Hot Win 15-18 Hunt Seat Equitation at QH Congress

By: Brittany Bevis

Paige Stopperich and the indomitable, long-legged “Larry” did what they do best, winning the 15-18 Hunt Seat Equitation this evening at the 2014 All American Quarter Horse Congress. Stopperich does have a prior Congress Championship title in Youth Showmanship from 2009, but this is her first Congress title earned with Cowboys R Hot.

“We won Equitation at the Youth World last year, so it’s kind of our thing…” she says. “It’s my favorite class. I like how intense you can look and how fluid it goes. It’s a little more upbeat than Horsemanship. When they ask you to drop your irons, it really shows who the strong riders are. It’s definitely, by far, my favorite class.”

Stopperich purchased Larry in 2011 at the Florida Gold Coast horse show as a three-year-old Hunter Under Saddle stallion. Although it was a big project to take on, trainers Michael Colvin and Clint Ainsworth were confident in the horse’s future potential as an all-around mount for their client. Now, three years later, Stopperich and Larry have achieved both a Youth World title and now Congress Champion title in Equitation.

Last night, Stopperich and Larry received a seventh place finish in Novice Youth Western Riding 14-18. Coming up next, they will compete in Halter, Horsemanship, Western Riding, and Hunter Under Saddle.

Before she entered the pen this evening, Colvin and Ainsworth were on hand with some helpful advice.

“They told me to keep my heels down, keep my horse in the bridle, do the pattern, and don’t overthink it,” she says. “Just go for it!”

Hunt Seat Equitation 15-18-

1- Cowboys R Hot/Paige Stopperich

2-It’s My Lucky Detail/Madison Eichstadt

3- Tell A Good Tail/Nicole Campbell

4- Midnite Invitation/Rachel Tearney

5- Colossal Asset/Calley Huston