Katy Jo Zuidema and Vicky Holt Win Inaugural Carl Yamber Memorial Classes

By: Brittany Bevis

In January of this year, the horse industry lost an icon in professional trainer, NSBA Quarter Million Dollar Club member, and mentor to many, Carl Yamber. From browsing the sale barns of Virginia at the age of 13; to influencing the careers of horses like Miss Holly Bar Dee, Investors Maiden, Machine Made, Willy Has Potential, and Good I Will Be; to forming a lifelong partnership with wife, Trisha; to mentoring trainers like Rusty Green, Donnie Recchiuti, Erin Lieurance, Dean Bogart, Chris Jones, Andy Cochran, Kristy Starnes, and more; Carl led a full and fulfilled life.

Following his passing, the Tarheel Summer Classic hosted two memorial classes in his honor as a way to preserve his legacy. The winner of the inaugural Carl Yamber Memorial 3 and Over Novice Horse Western Pleasure was Katy Jo Zuidema with Madefourit. This pair took home a huge check for $11,700. Reserve was Rusty Green with Cowgirl Take Me Away. Third was Blake Britton with KM Slot Machine.

It seemed meant to be that Katy Jo won the inaugural Western Pleasure class aboard a horse by Machine Made, since Carl owned the stallion at one point during his life. Also, Carl and Katy Jo’s father, Wayne Davis, were fast friends and business partners for many years.

“I think it’s neat that my horse is by Machine Made, and he won Carl’s class,” Katy Jo says. “Carl and Trish were huge figures in my life growing up. Uncle Carl, as I have always called him, and my Dad did a ton of business together. Trish’s niece, Shayla, is my best friend. They are my heroes. They also helped me win the Congress the first two times in the 11 and under Hunter Under Sadlde, many moons ago. It was an honor to win this class for Carl.”

Katy Jo’s partner for the class was Madefourit, a horse owned by Stephanie Armellini and Denis Oyer. “We started him last year, and he was supposed to be my [Equine Chronicle] Masters horse; but, when the Congress was cancelled, we held him for the novice classes this year.”

Katy Jo believes Madefourit has a bright future with their eyes set on the Tom Powers Futurity, NSBA World, WEC show, Congress, and World Show. “We’re just getting started,” she says.

The winner of the Carl Yamber Memorial 3 and Over Novice Horse Hunter Under Saddle was Victoria Holt Parker with Cody Thirty, taking home $2,520. Reserve was Kelly Ann Davenport with BMQ Move Like Jagger. Third was Cassandra Beutke Hill with The Pleasure Guru.

Victoria bred and raised Code Thirty, a horse by VS Code Red. He’s very special to her, because he was born on her birthday and the whole family was able to watch him being born.

“Being a horse trainer, our horses don’t always come first, so he has limited showing, but he has been a NSBA Reserve Champion in Green Hunter Under Saddle and fifth last year at the World Show,” she says. “With the pandemic he was only shown twice, and I feel like he’s really starting to get solid now.”

Victoria met Carl and Trisha back in 1995 and quickly realized they were not only great horsemen, but also quality people. “I admired their horses, and we have done business together. I’ve gotten great advice from them and have shown horses for them. Carl brought so much to the industry. It was very special to me to win this class, because I won it on my own horse, and I will have that trophy to remind me of a very special horseman that I admired throughout the years.”

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