“The first was with Snap Krackle Pop and then So Good To B Me, and both of those went back into the Senior Trail last night, so it was a cool experience for everything to come full circle,” Blake says.

“When a big horse can move that well, I think it gives a little something extra and is eye-catching.”

“He’s really steady and always very consistent. He’s a great loper and has a lot of self carriage. It’s easy for him. He’s big and bay; he has the whole package. He likes his job.”

“It’s tough leading, going into the finals. I did that a couple of years ago. Of course, there’s more pressure, but I tried to stay focused and give it all I had.”

Decker is in fact double registered with AQHA and APHA, a fact that’s evident from his four, high, white socks and large belly spot. But, interestingly enough, he wasn’t bred that way. “He has two Quarter Horse parents,” Tami says. “He’s by Certain Potential.”

“You have to be confident; because, if you’re not confident, you’re going to get into problems. But, your horse has to be well broke too.”

“You couldn’t miss a beat or you’d get yourself in trouble. Also, going first is always a challenging position, because you don’t get to see anyone else ride the course. He was very clean. He had only one light tick. He was in the zone.”

“I thought he looked fantastic at the Congress, and then seeing him here, it’s as if he peaked even more. Timing was everything.”