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Triumph in Tulsa! Rosewood Riders Excel in Second Appearance at World Horse Show
Rosewood Ranch horse riders were looking to match last year's strong performance this year at the National Snaffle Bit Association World Championship Show when the team returned to Tulsa for the second consecutive year. Competing Aug. 16-18 at the Built Ford Tough Expo Complex, the eight Rosewood riders answered the challenge by surpassing last year's medal count by two and notching their first world title, along with a reserve championship finish.
When the arena dust settled, Rosewood had achieved five top-3 placings and recorded 11 medalist finishes in the top-10. All eight of its riders made the top-15 finals in the categories of horsemanship and trail pattern riding. Representing rural central Kansas against teams from mostly metropolitan suburbs left Rosewood Ranch manager Eric Hammond beaming with pride about his team's accomplishments.
"This was a huge deal because there are hundreds of programs across the United States and a lot of them come to Tulsa to participate," explained Hammond. "The competition is a huge notch up from what we see in-state. The horses and their riders come to the World Show prepared to perform and compete, so you have to be ready. It's obvious that we were ready."
In the supported rider division, Jeremiah McCutchen captured a world championship in trail pattern and placed fourth in horsemanship. Competing for the first time at the World Show, teammate Jamie Crone earned third-place finishes in both events.
Leading the way among independent riders was Rosewood's Charles Bortz. He captured reserve champion in horsemanship and took third in trail pattern. Teammate Patricia Ledesma lacked practice leading up to the event because of a shoulder injury, but she still managed fourth place in trail pattern and recorded 12th place in horsemanship.
Krystal Thorne improved on her performance a year ago by medaling this year in trail pattern. She placed sixth in that event, coupled with 13th place in horsemanship.
“It’s so much fun for her to be able to participate in something special like this,” explained her father Harold, who accompanies his daughter as a horse handler at horse shows throughout the season. “It makes her try harder because she wants to do well. I’ve seen something in her because she competes. It’s a confidence builder, knowing she has a skill and that she’s improved with experience and practice.”
Also medaling in the top 10 were Rosewood teammates Chris Devine and Josh Trimmer. In Horsemanship, Devine finished in seventh place. Trimmer was one place back in eighth. Trimmer also took 10th in trail pattern riding, while Devine finished 13th in that event.
Two of the best horse-handling performances of the show were turned in by Rosewood’s Mary Minear, whose stubborn horse, Smooth Movin Sheik, hampered her rides. She mastered her headstrong horse well enough to secure 14th place in both events, however.
“Mary’s horse just didn’t do a good job for her,” explained Hammond. “It wasn’t Mary’s fault, the horse just wasn’t listening to her. She was very disappointed but she handled it very well. She understands that nothing about performing at horse shows is automatic and that horses can have minds of their own.”
Rosewood’s riders were accompanied by 10 Rosewood horse handlers and volunteers: Eric and Tammy Hammond, Melinda Suppus, Kenny Son, Debbie Larkin, Brian Freeman, Jennifer Stoddard, Harold Thorne, Eric Peters and Brett Swonger.
Rosewood horses performing in the World Show were: Daisy (with riders Charles Bortz and Jamie Crone), Flashy (Krystal Thorne), Fox (Josh Trimmer), Lady (Chris Devine), Sheik (Mary Minear), Starlet (Patricia Ledesma and Jeremiah McCutchen).
