ACTHA Monthly | July 2015 | 11
3
2
2nd Place Pleasure National 2014-2015
Jennifer St. John and Joey
APHA Gelding
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
My ACTHA journey began in June 2013, but it wouldn’t be until June 2014 that I would find my true equine partner. After studying the horses offered in the Diamond - McNabb Ranch Horse Sale, my husband and I flew to Wyoming in search of an equine that would suit my ACTHA addiction! The horse I bought was not even on my spreadsheet!! Yes, a spreadsheet of my top picks. My criteria: AQHA, 14.3, & 10 years old. When I saw a beautiful bay at the end of the arena, I made a bee line to speak with his 13 year old handler. They showed me their stuff and looked amazing!! This guy had just moved to the TOP of my list and 24 hours later would steal my heart. (You know its right when you dream about a horse the night before the sale and the next morning your husband says "well let's go get Joey".) Joey is APHA, 15.3, & 15 years old. Just goes to show, you never know what the right package will look like… Now I needed to learn how to ride a quarter horse!! I had only ridden gaited horses up until then; AND only as cargo! For a girl that had only trail ridden as cargo prior to joining ACTHA, I can't believe we would go from zero to Platinum in just one year! I feel blessed beyond words…
Starlite Quixote Bar, aka Whiskey, and I started competing in ACTHA in September, 2014 as a result of retiring from the cutting world. John, my husband and chauffeur, and I needed something that provided the camaraderie we enjoyed while cutting. We really hit the jackpot! I love this sport because it's such a team effort with my horse and I, with Whiskey being the better part of the team. Between cutting shows we had done some trail riding in the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado and Whiskey always took such good care of me. As the year progressed we became a little more competitive and set a goal of finishing in the top 10. Whiskey and I together managed to accomplish that and win the Texas state championship in the process.
It's been a real pleasure to have shown in 5 different states. The people we have met were fantastic, and we have gained so many new friends. Thank you ACTHA.
3rd Place Pleasure National 2014-2015
Ruthie Renton and Whiskey
AQHA Stallion
Harwood, Texas
Top 10 National
Photo by Mark Limsky
Photo by Corporate Exposures, LLC