SENIOR HEELING

FIRST TRIP TO THE WORLD SHOW YIELDS A CHAMPIONSHIP FOR JOHN AND KATIE HYDE'S SILVER GUN.

BY TONYA RATLIFF-GARRISON, INTERNET MANAGER

John and Katie Hyde of Fairlea Ranch have had American Quarter Horses for 20 years, but this is the first time they ever brought a horse to the World Show. And they’re mighty glad they did.

On Wednesday, November 16, Silver Gun, the California couple’s 7-year-old stallion, won the senior heeling world title with trainer Todd Hampton aboard.

“This is our very first trip to the World Show,” John said shortly after the win. “Thanks to our trainers, we’re here and we’re walking away with a world championship. It’s pretty mind numbing.”

The Hydes purchased “Bullet” when he was a yearling at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity Sale. AQHA Professional Horseman Benny Guitron showed the stallion in reined cow horse events, and he amassed almost $15,000 in lifetime earnings.

Guitron convinced the Hydes to take Bullet to the World Show and show him in senior working cow horse as well as in heeling and heading. About 11 months ago, Guitron asked his friend, Hampton, to train the horse in roping.

“I started showing him in January and he really took to it,” Hampton said.

Todd Hampton and Silver Gun marked a 225.5 to win the senior heeling world title.

Bullet made it back to the finals in both heeling and heading. He placed seventh in heading.

“He was really good,” Hampton said. “I just think he drawed up a little early in the list but run-wise he was really good.”

It was his heeling class where Bullet really shined.

“We had a great run,” Hampton said. “He had a good steer. Anytime you get a steer that tries to run to where you can really show your horse, then it makes it a lot easier. It may be a little tougher to catch them, but it’s better to show your horse.”

Hampton also credits his heading help, Jay Wadhams, with helping make the win possible.

“He did an awful good job for me, and it just all worked out,” Hampton said.

The Hydes had thought about retiring Bullet, but after the success of this year’s World Show, they are considering campaigning the stallion again next year.

“It’s just too exciting not to do it,” John said with a laugh.