Q: How does it feel to have won against a field of such legendary western riding horses?

Susan: I feel very blessed. And this is a legendary horse in AQHA’s records, and I’m just blessed to be one of his wonderful owners. He’s just a great horse.

Q: Is this your first year at the Bayer Select?

Susan: No, I hate to admit it, but this is my third.

Q: How did you prepare for the show?

Susan: Well, in Arizona it’s pretty hot, so Dickie took the summer off and came back and showed two weeks ago in Tulsa (Oklahoma) at the (National Snaffle Bit Association World Championship Show) as a warm-up for here. And then he stayed a week prior to this show down in Texas. He knows his job, and he does it. It’s just me that needs to get hooked up and get my leg stronger. Having the summer off was great for both of us.

Q: Tell me a little about “Dickie.”

Susan: He’s 15 years old; I can’t even tell you how many world championships he has. Probably like 17, and I’m just blessed to add another one to it. And a reserve today in the western pleasure. He loves peppermints, as you can maybe see now. He’s getting his treats, and he lives for his treats and anyone that loves him. He’s just a great horse.

Q: What's next for the two of you?

Susan: My son, who’s an amateur, will be showing him at the (All American) Quarter Horse Congress. Actually, I guess Friday I have the amateur horsemanship here in Amarillo, but the next show will be the Quarter Horse Congress. My son, Jeff, will show him in the amateur western riding there and then again at the (AQHA World Championship Show) in Oklahoma City.

Q: Do you plan to come back for next year's Bayer Select World?

Susan: God willing, I’m healthy and well. At our age it’s just a wonderful feeling just to be here and be amongst friends and have my health.

Q: How do you plan to celebrate?

Susan: Oh, we are supposed to be at the (American Quarter Horse) Foundation party, I think, at 7 p.m., and I don’t even know what time it is, but I guess I’m buying dinner somewhere, someplace for everyone in the barn. That’s kind of our barn tradition: If somebody wins, they have to buy dinner. I’d imagine if we miss food at the party tonight, I’ll be buying dinner at some restaurant here in Amarillo.

Q: Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Susan: Oh, my gosh, a list a mile long. First of all, Jim and Deanna Searles, who are my trainers, and Jason (Martin) and Charlie (Cole) from High Point Performance Horses, who allowed me to own such a great horse. Pam Billet and Tammy Dyer and Dr. John and his wife, Jill, who let Dickie spend the summer in wonderful San Diego where it’s a lot cooler than it is in Scottsdale. My sister is Katherine Tobin, she was third in this class and she was just my biggest supporter. She’s the one who got me into horses, so it was great for me to be walking away with a trophy in western riding.