Students participate in U.S. Sport Horse Nationals Horse Show

10/24/2011 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

Three William Woods University western students attended the U.S. Sport Horse Nationals Horse Show Sept. 27–Oct. 2 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.

Jessie Steinhoff of Union, Mo., showed IWF All That Glitters. The pair was a preliminary finalist in Half Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle Amateur to Ride, and just barely missed the callback for the finals.
 
Erin Springer of Siloam Springs, Ark., showed Prazer OBF, a horse she has spent an entire year working with. They competed in the Half Arabian Show Hack Amateur to Ride, Half Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle, and the Half Arabian Sport Horse Under Saddle Amateur to Ride, and brought home a National Top 10 ribbon in each class.
 
“I had a great time showing at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park. [Prazer OBF] is a horse who loves to show and it makes the competition so much more fun to ride a horse who is not only competitive but truly enjoys his job,” commented Springer.
 
Rebekah Savage of New Berwick, Maine, went with the group to act as a groom and photographer. According to Savage, going to a show this large in a great experience for anyone, even if you’re not showing, because of the opportunity to observe other industry professionals, gain experience grooming at national competition and getting to make some industry connections.
 
“Being able to say I went to Sport Horse Nationals is a big deal within itself. No, I didn’t show, but I pitched in and was part of a team effort. And there are so many new things I learned just by going; I was able to pick up on different training methods, see some different types of horses and much more,” Savage said.
                                                           
Like most national competitions, these horses had to qualify by earning points at local and regional shows in order to compete. Springer qualified Prazer OBF in the spring and summer of 2011, and Steinhoff qualified IWF All That Glitters in the spring of 2011. These horses are once again qualified to compete in the next year’s Sport Horse Nationals.
 
Jenny Petterson, assistant professor of equestrian studies, said, “I couldn’t have been more pleased with our presentation and performance against a field of horses and riders from all over the United States and Canada. To come away with three national top 10 ribbons was a phenomenal accomplishment.”
                                                                      
 
CUTLINE:
Erin Springer (left) with Prazer OBF and Jessie Steinhoff with IWF All That Glitters and their awards

Jessie Steinhoff and Erin Springer