BY LARRI JO STARKEY, COPY EDITOR
 |
Lanell Upshaw collects her first
world championship with a mare she bred and fitted herself. |
Lanell Upshaw has watched every bit of her filly’s life from birth to world championship.
“I am so proud of that little weanling,” Lanell said. “I have her sire and her dam. I foaled her out. I’m the only that’s ever touched her. I fit her myself. I kept her at home, and she’s just my little doll. She’s a thrill to own.”
The Dublin, Texas, resident bred Hes Illusive to Slipaway Sue by Luckys Slip Away to produce Serendepity, a 2007 sorrel.
“Her dam is the sweetest mare I’ve ever owned,” Lanell said. “That’s where Serendepity gets her personality. Her sire -- he’s my big baby. He’s a doll. He’s big and gorgeous, so she gets a little bit of everything from both of them. They both have really good temperaments and are easy to handle. I’m too old to handle one that’s not.”
Lanell led Serendepity to the top of a class of 14 to claim her first AQHA world championship August 28 at the Bayer Select World Championship Show.
“I’ve been Palomino World champion and AQHA reserve world champion, but this is my first AQHA,” she said. “Our stallion won the world in '94, but my son was leading him. This was my first.”
Lanell’s family couldn’t be at the show to cheer her on, so Lanell plans a modest celebration in Amarillo.
“(I’m going to) get these show clothes off,” she said. “Just enjoy the moment. I’m just going to enjoy it.”
Horse name: Serendepity
Pedigree: Hes Illusive x Slip Away Sue by Luckys Slip Away
Exhibitor: Lanell Upshaw
Owner: Sam and Lanell Upshaw
Total class entries: 14 entries
Purse: $7,000
World Champion Prizes: Custom-designed gold-tone trophy, Montana Silversmiths buckle with 14K gold overlay, Tex Tan product, Cripple Creek Outerwear logoed jacket, neck wreath. |
