An Honest Win

HUNTER UNDER SADDLE

AN HONEST WIN FOR AN HONEST DETAIL.

BY MEGHAN MACKEY, SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

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Katherine Tobin added a third gold trophy to her collection when she and An Honest Detail won the hunter under saddle finals at the Bayer Select World Championship Show.

“It’s still always exciting and wonderful,” she said. “I’m so thankful, every time.”

Katherine said she was grateful for the support of her sister, husband, friends and trainers during her stay in Amarillo.

“Thank heavens for Jim and Deanna Searles. They got up early every morning so he could be ridden in the coliseum. I’m very grateful for them and all the work they do.”

The Scottsdale, Arizona, rider purchased “JJ,” a 2002 bay gelding by Last Detail and out of Spooky Jackie by B.V. Jack (TB), a little more than a year ago.

“He’s just 4, so we’re real excited that he’s so young still,” Katherine said.

Katherine Tobin took home a world championship in hunter under saddle aboard An Honest Detail.

Katherine said JJ is a “big sweetie” back home at the barn.

“It was the cutest thing. Our trainers have a 3-year-old son, and he climbed up on top of a water cooler. JJ came over and stuck his nose through the bars and let the little 3-year-old pet him and pet him,” she said. “If you get too close, he likes to wrap his head around you and give you a hug.”

In the show ring, Katherine said JJ knows his job.

“If he gets frightened, he doesn’t really do anything major,” she said. “If you just leave him alone, he’ll calm down and get right back to his business. I really like that; you don’t have to struggle with him too much.”

Katherine hopes she and JJ can add hunter hack to their class list next year.

“I’m too old to jump, or do hunter hack or drive, but he’d make a good horse like that. For me, equitation is the next step.”