There were 16 in the reining finals at the 2009 Bayer Select World Championship Show on September 1. Michael Garnett and Ashleys Great Kid of Lincoln, Nebraska, were second in the go and took an early lead on pattern No. 8 with a 216.5. They held that lead until Melissa “Missy” Hood and Watch This Way of Columbia, Missouri, rode in 14th in the go and scored a 217 to win. After being nervous in the prelims, Missy was determined to ride confident in the finals, and she did. Tammye Hutton and Night Deposit Chex of Princeton, Kentucky, took the third-place bronze. The Journal caught up with Missy just outside K.C. Montgomery’s booth. “I’m going to get a good night’s sleep!” she said with a smile.
Q. Tell us how your go went.
Missy: Well, I’ve got a great horse. Everybody always says that, but I have a really special relationship with this horse. Isn’t he handsome? I have to say that because I promised I would say how handsome he was in the interview. Anyway, the run went pretty good. I overspun my first turnaround. I asked him, and he gave it to me tonight, and that’s all I can ask for.
Q. Was there anything you were worried about coming into the finals?
Missy: No, I was really worried on my preliminary ride. I got kind of nervous, and didn’t have as nice a ride as I expected myself to. So I just kind of let it go today. I drew up good, 14th out of 16 and I felt really lucky that way. I wasn’t nervous. I was excited and thrilled to be here. It’s my first time at the Bayer Select World and I am absolutely ecstatic and grateful for everything that AQHA provides all the exhibitors here. It’s a wonderful experience.
Q. Did you watch the other go's?
Missy: I went in and watched two horses run, no particular rides, just to see the ground, see what might be sticking, what might be a better idea for my horse. I think it helped me. The pattern wasn’t a problem.
Q. Tell me about this horse; how did you get him?
Missy: My trainer and my significant other, Jim Dudley, and the love of my life. And the horse is my second love of my life. We bought “Red” at the (National Cutting Horse Association) Futurity Sale in 2002 as a yearling. Jim did all the training on him and showed him as a 3-year-old, and then I bought him as a 4-year-old and started showing him myself in non-pro and AQHA classes. He’s done great. We’ve been a really good team. He’s an outstanding animal.
Q. How long have you been into Quarter Horses?
Missy: Oh, this is exciting to talk about. My dad bought a 2-year-old filly for me in 1968 when I was 10, and I showed her. I actually showed here in Amarillo at the youth world championship in 1973. That was the last time I was in Amarillo. It was really fun to come back. A rebirth, I guess.
Q. Anything else to add?
Missy: I also have to also thank my other reining coach, Shawn Flarida. I was a little late to call him tonight, but I will wake him up in the morning. I have him to thank for much of this as well.
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW Missy and Red can’t relax yet at the 2009 Bayer Select World – the two of them are riding in the horsemanship prelims on September 4. “I’m really excited about that,” she said. “He’ll be just fine.”
Melissa Hood and Watch This Way slide in to pick up their 2009 Select reining world championship trophy.
WINNER STATS
Horse name: Watch This Way Pedigree: 2001 sorrel stallion by Lena My Way x Whisper Shay Rondo by Rickashay Rondo Breeder: Toby & Linda Williamson, Eagle, Idaho Exhibitor/Owner: Melissa Hood, Columbia, Missouri Trainer: Jim Dudley and Shawn Flarida
Total class entries: 61
World Champion Prizes: Custom-designed gold-tone trophy, Montana Silversmiths buckle, neck wreath, gold medallion, Cripple Creek-logo jacket and Tex Tan product.
