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AMATEUR WESTERN PLEASURE HOMEBRED WIN FOR BLAIR KERN. BY CHRISTINE HAMILTON, FIELD EDITOR The judges mixed it up for the amateur western pleasure at the 2008 World Show, calling for a walk, extension of the walk and then a reverse to start the class. Exhibitors also had to lope off from a halt and reverse at the jog. In a stellar field of tough competitors and past western pleasure world champions, Blair Kern and family homebred Big N Rich loped out with the win. Four of five judges had them placed first, second or third. The Journal caught Blair just outside the arena for a winning interview. Q. Did you have any expectation that you would win tonight? Blair: No, I really didn’t. There were so many nice horses, and I really respect everyone I showed with. I was just happy that we had a good, consistent ride. That’s really all I was hoping for, that’s what we got and I couldn’t be happier. Q. He’s a homebred? Blair: We raised him, we still have his mom. I’ve shown him since he was 2 and he’s 5 this year. Q. What is the key to getting him shown? Blair: He can be real lazy, so you have to keep him a little bit fresh, that way he’ll stay up. You just have to know him really well, stay real balanced and sit up on him, let his back come up and he’ll do his job. Q. What’s coming up for him? Blair: He’s going to show in the junior western riding and the junior western pleasure here at the World Show. Then we’ll continue showing him. Q. Who would you like to thank for helping you on the way to this world championship? Blair: My parents, Sheri and Woody Kern – they supported me and gave me this horse. My little sister, Kristin, has come to all my shows, and now she’s showing. She just won at the (All American Quarter Horse) Congress this year. And my trainer, Lori Isom. And all my friends and everyone who’s helped me; I’ve been doing this since I was 4. There are a lot of people who’ve helped me through every part of it. Q. What’s it like to be in the show pen with people you’ve shown against for years? Blair: It makes it more comfortable. Knowing them and having good relationships with the people you show against, and respecting them. Then it’s not so much of a competition. And you’re happy to see everyone else do well. Fun Fact: Blair just graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, with a double degree in sociology and psychology. She aims to pursue a degree in forensic psychology in the future. WINNER STATS Horse name: Big N Rich Total class entries: 41 World Champion Prizes: Custom-designed gold-tone trophy, Montana Silversmiths buckle, neck wreath, gold medallion, Cripple Creek-logo jacket, world champion patch, Justin Boots smooth ostrich Techno Crepe boots, Tex Tan product
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