Super Amateur
I
’ m still pinching myself after attending this year ’ s AMHA World Championship Show . 2017 was quite the year for me with many struggles as well as amazing victories . My husband , Paul , and I planned to attend the local shows , regionals and then World , but many personal events changed our lives . My mother , Dolly , and her longtime companion , Herb , died within fortyfive days of each other . Before that , we dealt with their daily care and rapid health decline , which was a priority before horse shows .
Suffice to say , our usual practice routines during the show season were limited , and we missed some of our planned horse shows . Our lives are busy already , between taking care of our ranch , both of us working ( me , as a dental hygienist ), and staying involved with our grown children ; horses took a backseat for a while . But with a great support team and the help of our trainer , Cassidy Blanton of Drive Em Wild Ranch , we were able to get back on track and make it to the World Show with lots of competitiveness and enthusiasm .
Last year I won Reserve Super Amateur with Dayspring First Light “ Blondie ,” and Marystown McDreamy “ Mac ” won Open Best All-Around Horse . I wanted to return to the World in 2017 for Mac to win this prestigious title again and for Blondie to help me win the Super Amateur title we claimed in 2015 . And , we did it !
Blondie is a dynamo . She has an amazing amount of energy , and she is such a special horse . I know there will never be another one like her . I swear she can read my mind ! by Ailene Pritchett-Tarap
Mac is a stinker ! He likes to add some unique twists to his performances . He has accepted all the new and “ crazy ” classes we have thrown at him . I believe this little stallion will get better and better with practice and patience .
My husband , Paul built a new arena for me this past year , and that has made practicing so much better . Those that show obstacle know that “ practice makes perfect .” All around classes require so many hours of training and to win both Super Amateur and Best All-Around titles in the same year was a dream come true . To top it off , our horses collectively won twelve high point belt buckles and four World Champion trophies this year . These awards are always a goal of mine , and with our disrupted show schedule I feel honored that we achieved so much .
Getting to World this year was undoubtedly a team effort , and I would like to thank my wonderful husband , Paul Tarap , my trainer , Cassidy Blanton and her parents , Chris and Madelyn Blanton . It would never have been possible without them .
Not long after returning from the World Show our hometown of Napa County suffered from devastating wildfires that claimed so many lives and homes . We were fortunate that our home was spared and we did not have to evacuate . We did our best to help others and housed some that were less fortunate . We count ourselves truly blessed , and on many fronts , we are definitely ready for a new year ! Cheers to 2018 .
Send us your best shots for a chance to see your photos in the Miniature Horse World or on the AMHA website and win some GREAT PRIZES too !
Here are the rules : v
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Photos must be high resolution images ( 300 dpi ) to be considered . Print images must be 4X6 or larger .
Horses featured must be AMHA registered . Submit the horse ’ s full registered name , owners name and photographers name when sending photos .
v Deadline for entries is January 1 , 2018 v
All entries become the property of AMHA . The MHW reserves the right to publish photos in future editorial and advertising .
v Awards to be announced .
Email your photos to : miniaturehorseworld @ gmail . com Or mail to : AMHA , 5601 S . Interstate 35 W Alvarado , TX 76009
WINTER 2017 Miniature Horse World 81