After an unexpectedly extended trip, temperatures of 105 degrees Fahrenheit, one truck breakdown and one purchase of a used truck, Grace Berton-Beretta made it to Amarillo.

Just in time to win her first world championship.

Grace’s homebred Sirs Hippy Doll placed first in weanling mares.

The 2006 bay mare by Sir Cool Skip and out of Youcan Callme Dollee by Intimidating Lee had a rough trip to the Bayer Select World Championship Show from Petaluma, California.

“My truck broke down,” Grace said, “and we had to spend a day and a half in Bakersfield and buy a new used truck and it was 105 degrees and ‘Babe’ didn’t eat for five days, but other than that, it was a good trip. Everybody got here in one piece.”

Grace Berton-Beretta and Sirs Hippy Doll accept their championship trophy and awards. Grace already has a place picked out in her office to put the trophy.

Grace is proud of Babe in part because she bred the filly herself.

“I bred and raised her. I own her father, and I own her mother. And I owned her grandmother and her great-grandmother on her mom’s side and the great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother on the father’s side,” Grace said.

Grace traveled to Amarillo by herself, and she didn’t have time to celebrate her win immediately afterward. She started prepping Sirs Imperial Jada for the yearling mare class, while Sirs Hippy Doll stretched out for a nap – and finally started eating.

“If she makes it home not losing too much more weight, I’d like to take her to the Open World,” Grace said.

It wasn’t until after Grace placed fifth in yearling mares that she even had time to call home.

She won’t be able to rest too long. She has an aged gelding to get ready. But the win has made the work worthwhile. Grace has a special spot in her office picked out for her new world championship trophy.

And despite the travails of arriving in Amarillo, Grace is already planning to return.

“Oh, sure,” she said. “It was really great coming here.”