Friday’s classes at the 2020 Tom Powers Christmas Challenge gave time for reflection on several exhibitors who had been extremely active in the show horse world and are no longer with us.
Brad Borton Memorial Limited Non-Pro Award
The day started with the Non-Pro Yearling Longe Line and Brad Borton Memorial Limited Non-Pro Yearling Longe Line classes. The Limited Non-Pro award is presented in memory of the long-time publisher of Instride Edition, who was also a long-time Non-Pro Longe Line exhibitor.
Robert Herman and his filly She Blue Them Away won the Limited division of the class and were third overall in the Non-Pro. “We’ve had a really good year. She was the NSBA champion at the APHA World Show, and we won multiple titles at the Pinto World,” Robert said.
“I used to show quite a while ago and took a break, and this is my first year back. It’s my first time doing the Longe Line, and I really like developing the young horses and seeing them change from week to week.”
The red roan filly by VS Code Blue and out of Huntin My Halo is heading to Gil Galyean to begin her under saddle career.
In the Non-Pro, Nancy Ditty took top honors with Gritt N Grace. “She’s by Machine Made and out of the mare I showed a lot, Huntin For A Cowboy,” Nancy said of her filly.
“We call her Grace. She won the NSBA World Show and here at the Tom Powers; she won the world championship in both Open and Non-Pro in the National Roan Horse Association world championships. Karen Woods just bought her, and we’re very excited for her future.”
Rodney Miller Memorial Trophy
In the Western show pen, the revolving Rodney Miller Memorial trophy is presented to the winner of the Three Year Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure. JR Cook, showing Line Up Behind, will add his name to the trophy’s name plate as the 2020 champion. JR also won the Intermediate division of the class.
The award is named after Non-Pro and later Open rider Rodney Miller, who was a force in the futurity pen before his tragic death in a truck and trailer accident. The award has been presented annually since 1992, and contains a plaque for each class winner who has been named since its inception.
“Calvin is by VS Flatline and out of Shes Immortal, and was bred by Capital Quarter Horses,” JR said. “Hillary showed him at the Tom Powers and the Congress as a two year old. Cole (Baker) and I were looking for a horse to buy, and we saw him at the Congress and really liked him. We met up at Capital just before the World Show and bought him.”
JR, Cole and Calvin started the 2020 year with success at Venice before COVID-19 shot shows down. “We showed as much as we could this year and tried to be patient,” JR said. “Liz and Cole have done a wonderful job with him. I hope to be able to keep him and show him because he is so much fun. He is so quiet, that I know he could be a great horse for my children later on.
“Unfortunately I never met Rodney Miller, but I’m honored to receive the trophy in his name.”
Susan Scott Memorial Award
It was an emotional moment for Anneene Miller, who won the 50 & Over Non-Pro Western Pleasure and the Susan Scott Memorial trophy aboard Moonrageous. “It’s just so overwhelming, because everyone knew Susan Scott,” Anneene said.
The award was presented by the Scott and Ditty family in memory of Non-Pro Select exhibitor Susan Scott, who died in an automobile accident nearly a year ago in Ocala. In addition to the beautiful crystal memorial trophy, Anneene received a $1,000 award donated by Stanley Scott. Additional cash awards through fifth place were donated by Jan Pittman.
“I won the Tom Powers in 2015 aboard her mother, Suddenly A Cool Lady,” Anneene said. “I raised him, and he’s by Only In The Moonlite. It’s such a long road to accomplish this level. I’ve raised some Justin Rookie of the Year and other futurity winners, but it’s been really great to have one for myself. We call him Spider, because when he was born it seemed like he had this huge head and legs everywhere.
“Aaron Moses has done a great job with him. He won the Madness and a lot of Green and Novice Horse classes with him in 2018, then in 2019 Aaron won the Level 2 classes with him, and so this year has just built on that. He is always so responsive, and will do whatever you ask. We don’t go to a lot of shows and pick and choose where he shows, so he stays fresh and ready to go.”
Hunting Champions
Stacey Stinson was afraid she had lost her horse’s tail when she was awarded a tail extension for her win in the 50 & Over Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle. “I thought his tail fell out or something, I didn’t realize I had won it,” Stacey laughed.
She won the class with Without Permission. “I’ve owned him a little over a year,” Stacey said. “I saw him at Dawn and Brian Baker’s and I knew he was going to be my next horse. He just floats, and he is so big and pretty.”
The double registered gelding is by The Ultimate Fancy and out of a thoroughbred mare. “This is my first time to show at the Tom Powers,” Stacey said. “We were reserve champions at the AQHA World Show and Dawn was world champion with him in Junior Hunter Under Saddle. We’re planning to go on to Tampa and Venice and the major shows in 2021.”
Tali Terlizzi pulled her two year old filly, Borne This Way, out of the stall and spent five minutes warming up before showing – and winning – the Two Year Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle. “That was the first time I’ve ridden her since September. We bought her at the Big A, and went to the Madness and won the Open and Non-Pro there,” she said. “Her last show before this was the NSBA World Show, and she was reserve champion there.”
The Tom Powers Christmas Challenge was a great way to finish out ‘Teeny’s career. “Our plan is to take her home and let her become a broodmare. She’s so easy, that I can keep her at home. She’s been a true show horse, and she wants to be good. She’s great minded,” Tali said. Teeny is by The Born Legacy and out of a Blazing Hot mare.
A couple of familiar faces combined in a new way when Keith Miller piloted Im Willy Good Today to win the Maturity Open Hunter Under Saddle for new owner Erin Shapiro Boatwright.
“Sandra Morgan just sold ‘Drake’ to Erin, so he will become Erin’s next Amateur horse,” Keith said.
“We’ve always loved Drake, and we’re very excited to see where he takes Erin. Erin just had a baby, and she hasn't even gotten to ride him yet."
First Time Champion
Tyler Achtenhagen earned his very first Tom Powers championship in the Two Year Old Limited Open Western Pleasure aboard Hold Ma Beer for owners Beth and John McNichol.
“I’ve had him since March, and he’s just been really easy,” Tyler said. “He’s really quiet. You’d never know that this was his second time to be shown. We took him to a local Florida show last weekend and that is it. Our biggest decision was whether to bring him here or save him for a maiden horse for next year.”
By The Lopin Machine and out of Secrete Dreams, the gelding is known as Travis and was raised by the McNichols. Look for Beth McNichol to potentially show him in the Non-Pro three year old events in 2021.
Vroegh, Heflin Win Sale Stakes Western Pleasure
The Tom Powers Christmas Challenge saw two stakes classes held for graduates of the yearling sale class from 2019. Mallory Vroegh showed The Solitaire Affair to win the Sale Stakes Two Year Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure, earning $4,650.
“We raised her and she’s by The Rock,” Mallory said. “We’ve won between $23,000-24,000 with her this year, because she went through the NSBA yearling sale too. We were reserve champions at the NSBA World Show in the Limited Open Two Year Old Western Pleasure and earned sale graduate money there.
“She was really good in the class today,” Mallory said. “We wanted to move a little more forward in this class, and she responded to that really well.
In the Sale Stakes Two Year Old Limited Rider Western Pleasure, Katie Heflin and Made To Ride earned the top spot and $2,500 first place paycheck.
“We just bought ‘Foxy’ in July before the Big A from Jamie and Jason English. She’s so natural and it comes so easy for her. I’m still learning her and she’s still learning me, but she has a good heart and she tries so hard. I actually showed her in a bridle in the Novice Amateur classes in October. She is really fun to show.”
In addition to the adults, English and Western Youth exhibitors competed on Friday as well. Nataline Rippeon showed Fashion Statement to win the Youth Hunter Under Saddle, while Macy Brandt piloted The Candy Mann to win Youth Western Pleasure.
The Tom Powers Christmas Challenge Futurity continues through Sunday, December 20, at the new World Equestrian Center Ocala. To see the show schedule or view the daily live video stream, please visit www.tompowersfuturity.com.
