This year’s AQHA World Championship Show features the voices of five talented announcers. The Journal caught up with three of them and learned about their job.
“We have the best seats in the house,” David Branham said.
All three of them attended auctioneering school and have put their training to use in announcing horse events.
David began announcing events about 18 years ago. He has worked in the announcer’s booth at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, Palomino Horse Breeders of America World Show and the National Snaffle Bit Association World Championship Show. David has been announcing at the World Show since 2002.
Clark Scoggin’s announcing experiences have taken him across the nation as well. Clark calls Decatur, Mississippi, home when he isn’t announcing at Ford AQHYA World Championship Show, Bayer Select World Championship Show, All American Quarter Horse Congress, AQHA Regional Experiences and the Texas Classic. He also voices commercials and videos.
Justin Ochs is new to announcing at the World Show. Justin hails from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and you might recognize his voice from the Region Five Experience, National Reining Horse Association Derby and Futurit,y and the AQHA Youth World Cup.
Zeb Bell of Murtaugh, Idaho, and Glen Gabel of Regina, Saskatchewan, will also grace the World Show arena with their voices.
Clark has been announcing at the World Show since 1997. He said each year is different.
“This year has probably been the biggest change with new promotions going on to add more interest and let exhibitors become a part of the show,” he continued. “Also, trying to make it more spectator-friendly has put more work on us but it’s a good thing and something that’s been needed for many years - and I hope it continues.”
With new activities like the Q-Zone and Farnam Fun Faces, the announcers’ job is more challenging but adds to the World Show experience. The announcers encourage audience members to participate in winning prizes during down-time of arena drags, class changes and while scores are tabulated.
The announcers’ booth is full of activity. From updates to congratulations, David said the announcers have to be quick on their feet.
“Most of what we do is spur of the moment and impromptu. Classes are tied, and results are available in a moment. So a lot of it is extemporaneous and learning to go with the flow,” David said.
Justin has experienced his share of “learning,” as Clark described the many distractions in the booth.
“People lean over your shoulder, handing you paperwork and just may poke your ribs to throw you off. And we try to break into the rookie’s concentration.
“All the older guys like to test the new guys to make sure they can handle the pressure,” Clark said. “I was tested a whole lot and still am,” he said laughing.
With an appreciation for people and socializing, the announcers said they have to enjoy traveling and understand different shows require different tasks from them.
“A lot of times,” Justin said, “People call you ‘the voice of the show’ and really, our job is to bring the attention to the exhibitor.”
Justin said one of their preparations before arriving at the World Show was to get plenty of sleep.
“We have a lot of long days and nights,” he said. “But I like being around the people. You get to network and visit with people you haven’t seen in a while.”
David and Clark agreed with Justin and added that they are their own worst critics when it comes to hearing their voices, but all five announcers do their best to create a great show atmosphere.
“It’s always exciting to see the world champions and be able to be the person that does the build-up at the end of the class and be the first one to congratulate each world champion. We just try to make it as exciting as possible, because these people put in a lot of work to get to the World Show, and we just want to make it a big deal for them -- which it is a very big deal,” Clark said.
