AQHA November / December 2019 Magazine AQHA NOV-DEC 2019 PRINT (2) | Page 41

PG.39
FULL THROTTLE TA FAME PR-207
BRITTANY MCVICAR
“I’m still in shock”, says Brittany McVicar of her
winning the Patsie Holder Memorial Classic
Championship tile with Epic. “I’ve never won
anything like that before. There was such a great field
of horses entered, so I feel very privileged to have won
with Epic.”
When asked, what was your impression of Epic
during your go rounds? Brittany replied, “She always
gives it her everything and she certainly did at the
ABHA, she has a lot of grit.”
Brittany commented on her impression of Epic
during the run in the final. “I messed up my timing on
the first barrel and it wasn’t pretty, but she’s so quick,
she was able to make up for it and still clock Okay.”
When asked, what was it like waiting to hear
your time and then waiting to see how everyone
else went in the final? Brittany answered, “It was
definitely a nervous wait, there were a lot of really nice
horses left to run.”
“Straight lines and one turn at a time, was a great
reminder I received from a friend leading into each
round,” Brittany recalled the advice that she received
going into the final.
Brittany recalls her preparation with Epic leading up
to the ABHA Classic. “I spend a lot of time away with
work so I’m very fortunate that my parents take great
care of my horses and keep them legged up while I’m
gone. I cannot thank them enough.”
When asked, do you get nervous leading in to such
a prestigious event? Brittany answered, “I definitely
got nervous, but some nerves are good. I just try to
remember that Epic doesn’t know the difference
whether it’s a jackpot or an event such as the Patsie
Holder Classic.
I just have to do my job, because I know she’ll do hers.”
“Epic’s mother is owned by Stephanie and Neveile
McCarthy who I borrowed to use a service fee to
Seconds ta Fame, kindly donated by the Matthews
family at a roping event,” says Brittany.
“We bred Epic so that has made the journey so
much sweeter. She’s not very tall and as a young filly
I thought she would be too small to make a barrel
horse,” says Brittany. “We almost sold her for that
reason, thankfully the sale fell through.”
“Epic had a fantastic foundation put on her at Scott
and Lindee McNaughtons,” says Brittany. “She was
then rode by my parents (Helen and Vern McVicar)
until she was four as I was overseas and they
have put a great start on her. I started her on
the pattern about a year and a half ago
and she had a cool feel to her from
the get go.” I knew we needed
to give her a chance.”
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ISSUE 2019