2023 NSBA World Championship Show gets underway Thursday with Hunter Hack, Working Hunter Under Saddle and the Markel Insurance $6,000 Added Open Working Hunter Derby
Hack Highlights
Thursday began with Hunter Hack classes in the Mustang Arena of the Built Ford Tough Complex at Expo Square.
The Green horses were first to take the fences in the Hunter Hack classes. Ryan Painter started and ended the day with a world championship. He piloted Only Time Will Tail for owner Kimber Mitchell.
The eight year old gelding is by Coats N Tails and out of a Luke At Me mare. Kimber’s grandmother purchased ‘Leo’s mother at the Congress Super Sale with Leo in utero as a gift for Kimber. She raised the colt and took her time bringing him along. Kimber has won Hunter Under Saddle classes with him last year. He’s very competitive in Amateur and Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle.
“He just started jumping this winter,” Ryan said. “He’s taken to it really well. We took him to a few shows at the World Equestrian Center – Ocala and did well.
“It was kind of funny, we found him by accident. He was four years old and living in the field where we work, and we started working with him. This win is emotional for Kimber, because she lost her grandmother just a few months ago, which was how this started for her.”
'High' Time In The Junior Hack
In Junior Hunter Hack, a collaboration between Tyler Haney and Becky George and Colton Plyman resulted in a world championship for Hesa Frequent Flyer and owner Kate Upton.
“Becky and Colton brought ‘Hijacker’ to me in February. He’s by The Mile High Club, and he’s very cool,” Tyler said. “He’s become my favorite horse to ride. I love how soft and ridable he is. Today on the course, he felt really great, jumped great and felt really good on the flat too.”
I Like Ike
Karen Jorgenson and her gelding The BLK List were named world champions in Amateur Select Hunter Hack.
“I had never jumped in my entire life before December first, and this is our fourth show together,” Karen said.
“I bought Ike last May. At that time, my husband stared an ‘I Like Ike’ campaign for him with sticker and pins, and we’ve had fun with it. We’ve been doing Hunt Seat Equitation and a little Showmanship. Jessica started jumping him, and she talked me into it. All I can say is dreams can come true – I’m very happy.”
Hot Day for AE Hot N Sonny and Peter Sloane
Peter Sloane doesn’t get a lot of time to practice with his horse, AE Hot N Sonny or Jazz, since he lives in New York and his horse lives in Texas, but he certainly made the most of his first day at the NSBA World Championship Show by winning two world championships.
Peter and Jazz have been together since 2017. “Jazz is the most patient horse, and has the greatest personality,” Peter said. “He takes care of him. You point him toward a fence and his ears go up and he just does his job. He has a very kind heart.”
Jazz is by Sonnys Hot Jazz, whom Jazz’s trainer Jerry Erickson owned. So, it is no surprise that Peter and Jazz are a part of Jerry’s training barn.
Peter and Jazz followed up with a second world championship in Non-Pro Working Hunter Under Saddle. “Honestly I can’t believe it, but it was wonderful to have this class to show off my horse’s movement as a hunter horse and be rewarded for it,” Peter said of the win. “It’s a great class.”
New Team, First World Title In Youth Hunter Hack
A new team took the world championship in Youth Hunter Hack when Undressed N Radical and Kylie Davis won the class. “I’ve only had Max for a few months,” Kylie said. “He’s so cute and l love his personality. He is always happy. He’s my best friend.
“On the jumps today, he just carried me through. I tell him where to go and he does his thing. We’ve only been to a few horse shows together, including the Premier and the Big A, Brave Heart and Lakeside Arena. Next year we hope to show at the AQHYA World Show.
“This is my first NSBA world championship. I’m so happy. I can’t believe it!”
Strutin To The Blues Wins Senior Hack
Strutin To The Blues strutted his stuff to a world championship in Senior Hunter Hack with Chuck Briggs in the irons for Rodger Call.
The gelding by Strutin On The Range is out of Dance To The Blues (by Skys Blue Boy) and was bred by Olivia Hoecker. Strutin To The Blues is a decorated show veteran who was the AQHA reserve Superhorse in 2020 and has earned an AQHA world championship in Senior Hunter Hack in 2022. The gelding was also named the AQHA High Point All Around Junior Horse in 2021.
Working Hunter Under Saddle
In the Open Working Hunter Under Saddle, Ryan Painter earned another world championship on a catch ride, showing The Queens Gold for owner Kristin Crowe-Rajan.
Ryan Painter and My Next Edition Top Hunter Derby
Ryan Painter continued his hot hand of the day with a win in the Markel Insurance $6,000 Added Open Working Hunter Derby. He showed My Next Edition to the title for owner Hana Thomas.
“We tried him on the way home from the NSBA World Show three years ago and really liked him. In fact the owners followed us to the farm to see him before we bought him,” Ryan said. “We took it slow with him and spent about a year and a half bringing him along. He won the A Sudden Impulse Derby, and he’s been doing some 3’3” derbies at the World Equestrian Center and a few others.
“He’s very handy and turns so easily, that you basically make a plan and ride it. He was really good in both the first go and the handy round, and we did try to go for a few of the high options.”
Ryan reflected on the Derby and its popularity. “I’m very thankful to Markel Insurance for sponsoring this class and added the additional purse this year,” he said. “The Derby has traditionally been one of the bigger classes here at the NSBA World, and it was very generous of Markel.
“I know that Markel has also become a big sponsor of the Derby at the Big A, and it’s greatly appreciated. The Derby is a class that the Youth and Amateur riders enjoy too, because it's something different they don’t get to do all the time. Even those who didn’t do very well would come out and say they had a great time showing in it.”
The NSBA World Championship Show and Breeders Championship Futurity continues through Sunday, August 20. To view complete show results, please visit nsba.com and look for World Show Results under the World Show tab.
