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SENIOR TRAIL FIRST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR MURRAY GRIGGS AND McZIPPO. BY CHRISTINE HAMILTON, JOURNAL EDITOR You could tell the crowd thought it was good the minute AQHA Professional Horseman Murray Griggs and McZippo cleared the last pole in the walkover to finish their senior trail go at the 2009 AQHA World Championship Show. The Tim Kimura-designed pattern was more than challenging – forward lopeovers and tight serpentines and transitions and a demanding chute-to-chute back combination. Murray took a long breath, smiled and reached down to pet the gelding. Murray rode sixth, and there were a lot of tough horses and riders to follow. The scores were held and the suspense mounted through the awards until Murray, Tami McAllister and So Much Potential, and Jason Martin and Design By Leaguer were left in the arena. “Folks, there was only a half-point difference between the top three,” said announcer Zeb Bell. Jason ended up with bronze, Tami the silver and Murray rode out with the gold, scoring a 228.5. The Journal caught up with the horseman from Fayetteville, Arkansas, in the Super Barn to ask what that meant to him – his first world championship in 30 years in the horse business. Q. Tell us what a world championship with this horse means for you. MURRAY: This is a very special horse; he tries every single time we show. He’s always close to winning and he finally did. Q. What was the most challenging part of this pattern? MURRAY: All of it. It was all pretty tight, it was good. It was all forward, it was a good pattern, a lot of fast thinking. Q. How did you work through the back-through? MURRAY: Slowly! (He laughed) Q. Congratulations, Wren. Please tell me a little about McZippo. WREN: He’s very smart, sometimes I think he’s too smart. He’s my baby; I love him. He’s older than me! I’ve had him about four or five years. Q. What’s his personality like? WREN: He likes to get out of his halter when you tie him up. And he likes to roll, that’s for sure. Q. How does it feel to win your first world championship, Murray? MURRAY: It’s pretty special. This is very good timing. Q. Is there anyone you’d like to thank? MURRAY: My whole family and the owners and all my friends. I’ve got a lot of friends and they are all supportive. Fun Fact: McZippo placed fifth in senior trail at the 2007 World Show. His owner, Laurin Wren Myers, has shown him to 42.5 lifetime showmanship points, to date. The two have also earned a Region Nine Regional Experience championship in trail. WINNER STATS Horse name: McZippo Total class entries: 84
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