November 8-23, 2013, Oklahoma City

Amateur Western Pleasure

Another title defended by Darcy Reeve.

by Allison Grayson
The American Quarter Horse Journal

On November 6 at the 2012 AQHA World Championship Show, Darcy Reeve defended her title in amateur western riding with her horse Ima Petite Classic. And now, she has defended her title in western pleasure with A Certain Vino.

“It’s a big relief,” she said of her 2012 world championship win. “I’m just glad everything’s over (and) everything turned out really good. He was just so good for me, so it’s the icing on the cake to be able to come back the second year in a row, and the second night in a row, and do it again.”

“Vino” is well known throughout the Quarter Horse community for his western pleasure and western riding world champion titles. He has even been used as a model for western pleasure at Darcy’s alma mater, Kansas State University.

“(One of my best friends was) teaching the horse judging class at K-State, and kinda before I knew her and she knew me, she had (him) up on the screen, so it was kinda cool,” she said of the experience.

And he was used as a model for good reason.

“He is one of a kind. He’s absolutely amazing, always wants to give you 100 percent,” Darcy said. “He wants to win just as much as anybody else. So no matter what, when you go out there, he’s gonna be his best, as long as you’re riding your best.”

Darcy and Vino tried to relax and take it easy before the World Show so that they could be on their game in the western pleasure class.

“We took it kind of easy at the (All American Quarter Horse) Congress and skipped a couple classes and just did senior amateur,” she said of their preparation. “But he was still really tired and still mentally prepared from there. Then we came here and just rode him like normal, and he was just awesome.”

Even after defending their title, the pair have no intention of slowing down. They already have a plan for next year. But Darcy still likes to take everything in stride.

“I skipped western riding (with Vino) this year, so I’ll probably come back and do it again next year on him,” she said. “Other than that, I don’t know what the future holds. I just kinda want to play it month to month, day to day.”

Darcy had several people to thank for helping her continued success with Vino

“Of course, (I want to thank) my family, my friends, everybody. Especially my trainers Ty and Karen (Hornick),” she said. “(For) always being there and always having him completely prepared, no matter what. And (AQHA Professional Horseman) Charlie (Cole) and Jason (Martin). They’re always in the stands, supporting. If they’re not the head trainers of that class, they’re always there for me.”

“It’s just incredible to have the support I have,” she said.

With her defense of two world titles, a little celebration is inevitable. Even if it’s short lived.  

“I have to be in class by 1 o’clock tomorrow, so I leave first thing in the morning,” she said. “But no matter what, we’ll do something.”