October 5, 2012
By Larri Jo StarkeyThe American Quarter Horse Journal
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Judy Gibson celebrated her birthday early with a win in Novice amateur 3-year-old mares with I Gotta Lota Secrets; the pair also won the Novice amateur mares champion of champions award. (Journal photo)
Happy birthday, Judy Gibson, even if you did get your birthday present a day early. Judy’s birthday is October 5, but she celebrated her 70th birthday October 4 at the Nutrena East AQHA Novice Championship Show in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with a championship in 3-year-old Novice amateur mares. “I’ve been showing halter horses for about a year,” she says. “I’ve ridden all my life, but this is harder.” Judy, who lives in Crossville, Tennessee, showed I Gotta Lota Secrets by I Gotta Cool Secret-Imagine Me In Lace by Image Of Kid. The 2009 bay mare was bred and is owned by Karen Johnson of Burns, Tennessee, Judy’s daughter. AQHA Professional Horseman Bob Johnson – Judy’s son-in-law – is her trainer. Lynn and Lori, Judy’s other daughters, completed the family celebration at the Miller Tennessee Coliseum in Murfreesboro. I Gotta Lota Secrets was the open reserve world champion yearling mare in 2010, and Bob plans to show her later this month at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. “I want to go to the (Adequan) Select World (Championship Show) next year,” Judy said. “And now I’m eligible for the Super-Select.” But first, Judy and I Gotta Lota Secrets won the mares champion of champions award at the Nutrena East. She popped a black-wrapped hard candy out of her pants pocket. “Happy 70th,” the paper said in blue and purple lettering. Judy plans to have one. She already has her presents.