Photos courtesy of EquineChronicle.com
It was fourth times a charm for Mike Hachtel this evening as he was named the winner in the Equine Chronicle Two Year-Old Color Classic aboard A Scenic Cheerleader.
This is the fourth time that Hachtel has won The Equine Chronicle Color Classic, and the third time he has won the class on A Scenic Impulse bred two year-old.
Hachtel won the very first Equine Chronicle Color Classic on A Scenic Impulse himself, in 2004. Then, in 2009, he was named champion again with Scenic Ocean Drive. Now, he has won the 2010 Premiere Signature class on A Scenic Cheerleader.
We caught up with Mike Hachtel after the class to see what he had to say about this fourth record win.
“This is number four,” Hachtel says. “This horse is something special. She was special from day one. She is by A Scenic Impulse, who was the sire of last year’s winner at the Reichert Celebration. So a Scenic Impulse has won two years in a row, and I am really proud of him for that.”
Whether it is the winning combination of Mike Hachtel’s program with A Scenic Impulse bloodlines, or just the right mix of supportive clients, exceptional horses and a talented trainer, Hachtel says that none of this would be possible without this support team behind him.
“I think there’s luck involved obviously,” Hachtel says. “It takes patience and trust, and it takes more than just me to do it. It takes a good customer, a good horse, trust and faith, and good help all around you. I think that’s a big part of it. I would like to thank my wife Gretchen, and everyone involved; Tamara Coulson for allowing me to ride her horse, and train it, the Reichert Celebration for putting it on and The Equine Chronicle for supporting it.”
A teary-eyed Tamara Coulson was nearby and gave us her take on what she thinks makes Hachtel’s program so successful.
“I am so emotional because I am so excited,” Coulson says. “His formula, whatever it is, when we started this adventure, I don’t know if I’ve ever spent a whole two weeks with him. But everyday I was with Gretchen and Mike, I knew whatever it was, they had it covered. The faith was just there, and I never ever had to doubt it. He is an amazing horseman and I’m just so proud of my horse.”
Coulson says she has always been a strong supporter of A Scenic Impulse, and this most recent win just strengthens her belief in him even more.
“Her name is Pom-Pom, and I am a big believer in this stud,” she says. “I’ve got a baby still at home, and watching some of his others, they have such good minds, and I think that is what got her so far, is that she wanted to do her job. She was never worried about anything, and she trusted Mike completely, and she did exactly what he wanted her to do.”
We would like to wish a big congratulations to Mike Hachtel, and good luck to Tamara Coulson, who will be trying her hand at riding A Scenic Cheerleader in the Two Year-Old Color Breed Non-Pro class tomorrow morning, and hopefully at the Fall APHA World Championship Show.
The Equine Chronicle Color Classic Two Year-Old Western Pleasure Results:
Champion- Mike Hachtel and A Scenic Cheerleader, for Tamara Coulson
Reserve- Timothy Zuidema and Invested By Charlie, for Wilburn Archer (tied for first, tie broken by tiebreaker judge)
3rd- Mark Shaffer and Gota Lota Goodbar, for Chris Filippelli
4th- Pat Heeley and A Country Impulse, for Don Heeley
5th- Sara Simons and A Mystical Sensation, for Susan/Taylor Lynn Prince
EquineChronicle.com
EquineChronicle.com
