BY CHRISTINE HAMILTON, FIELD EDITOR
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| Kristen Glover of Bixby, Oklahoma, and her mare, Vital Signs Are Good, in the amateur western pleasure. They won the world championship in the class, as well as in amateur western riding, immediately following. |
Kristen Glover of Bixby, Oklahoma, added another two gold trophies to the collection earned by her little red roan mare, Vital Signs Are Good. They won back-to-back world championships in amateur western pleasure and amateur western riding on November 5 at the 2007 AQHA World Championship Show.
“It’s unbelievable,” Kristen said. “Pleasure horses are just getting so good. Every time you win the pleasure here at the World Show it’s something that’s huge. ‘Lucy's won (amateur western pleasure) three years here now. She’s such an incredible horse, and I feel so blessed to ride her.”
Sweet Talkin Jeannie and Joetta Bell of Whitesboro, Texas, won reserve in both classes.
Kristen and Lucy won the amateur western riding in 2006, setting an all-time World Show western riding record with a score of 237.5. Tonight they earned an impressive 233.
How did she get ready for two finals in a row?
“I basically just did the same thing I always do,” Kristen said. “She’s real easy to prepare. I got up this morning and let her play on the longe line a little bit. Then took her and rode her about 15 minutes, and she’s really ready to go.
“Mentally, I just have a hard time,” she added with a smile. “You know, every time I want to go out there and just do the best I can for her because she’s such a good horse. I want to do my part riding her. Really, my plan was to do the best I can and get her shown and whatever happens, happens.”
Kristen’s parents, Jim and Debbie, were on hand for the win, as well as her 83-year-old grandmother.
It’s been an amazing show season so far for the Glovers. Invest In Vital Signs, Lucy’s embryo transfer colt by Vested Pine, won the 2-year-old Western Pleasure Challenge at the Reichert Celebration in August. Then Kristen and Lucy won both amateur western riding and amateur western pleasure at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in October.
What’s been the secret to their consistency this year?
“I graduate in December, and I’ve really had the time,” Kristen said. “She’s living at my house, and we get a lot of help from Lee and (AQHA Pro Horseman) Leonard Berryhill. I’ve been able to ride her a lot, and he’s really good with her. I just feel like we were more prepared this year for everything.”
One of Lucy’s trademarks in any championship arena is her happy expression. Kristen said she’s that way whatever she’s doing.
“She’s exactly the same. She’s just happy; she loves her life. She’s the sweetest horse I’ve ever been around. She’s better than any gelding I’ve ever been on. She’s the perfect mare; she loves everything she does – a real joy to be around.”
The World Show excitement hasn’t ended yet for the Glovers. The two wins put Kristen at the top of this year’s Sooner Trailer All-Around Amateur running, and she has amateur showmanship and performance halter mares to go.
Lucy will also show in senior western riding with Leonard Berryhill, and Invest In Vital Signs will show in 2-year-old western pleasure with Keith Whistle.
For AQHA Professional Horseman Leonard Berryhill's analysis of the amateur western riding finals pattern, click here.
Horse: Vital Signs Are Good
Pedigree: by Zippos Mr Good Bar x Vitalism by An Awesome Mister
Exhibitor/Owner: Kristen Glover, Bixby, Oklahoma
Breeder: Kristin Rinkenberger
Western pleasure entries: 32
Purse: $10,274
Western riding entries: 38
Purse: $12,200 World Champion Prizes: Custom gold-tone trophy, Montana Silversmiths sterling silver buckle with a 14-karat gold overlay, Cripple Creek Outerwear World Show jacket, Tex Tan silver spurs and straps, Justin smooth ostrich Techno Crepe boots, 100 pounds of Nutrena feed, Professional’s Choice products and neck wreath. Total purse and prizes for the 2007 AQHA World Championship Show: $2,634,750. |
