Pamela Switzer Delivers One-Two Punch in Masters Western Riding
Pamela Switzer takes the top two spots in Masters Western Riding at the 2025 APHA World Championship Show.
By Delores Kuhlwein
It was fitting that July 1st was the National Day of Canada, as Pamela Switzer from Busby, Alberta, claimed not only the World Championship in Masters Amateur Western Riding with Sweet Lazy Sensations at the 2025 APHA World Championship Show — she also took the Reserve Championship with No Doubt Im Invited! In fact, the teams also were crowned World and Reserve Intermediate Champions in the event respectively.
Looking at her win photo, one might think, at first, they’re seeing double, but Pamela Switzer admits she has a slight addiction for bay overos. “I have more at home, by the way,” laughs Pam.
“Haley” is the barn name for Sweet Lazy Sensations, and “Riley” is the barn name for No Doubt Im Invited, and Pam explains she does 90 percent of the work on her horses herself. “But I have had Adam Smith help me to get prepared for the World Show – he’s been here helping me at this show, so I’m giving him a lot of credit for helping me get these two prepped.”
What she loves about Western Riding, she says, is the challenge behind it, because it looks easy, but it’s not. “There’s a lot of timing involved, and it’s all about keeping your horse at a consistent pace and finding those lines.”
Her advice to others looking to improve is to seek reputable advice on how to get horses prepared for it, and to study the event, which helped her immensely. “I’ve spent actually quite a number of years trying to understand it – where the penalties are occurring, and where the pluses can happen, so I recommend getting educated and studying the rulebook.”
View complete results for the class from APHA:
