On their way to a record-setting trail run at the 2009 Ford AQHYA World Championship Show, Kathryn Gorsuch of Lancaster, Ohio, and 16-year-old Bigbeboppinbob walked, trotted or loped over 48 poles in their finals run, without so much as ticking a single one of them. They eased into a tiny turnaround box, barely big enough for “Bob” to fit into, and proceeded to do two 360-degree spins that wouldn’t have been much out of place in a reining class. They backed through a U-shape so narrow there wasn’t room for the tiniest error. When Kathryn’s score was announced as a 244.5, her trainer, Bruce Vickery, told her she’d set a new record. Her trail score was the highest recorded since 2007, when judges began using a new system aimed at ensuring consistency. See judge John Tuckey’s explanation here.

Q. Tell me about the trail course. Was there a certain obstacle were you most concerned about?

Kathryn: The one that scared me the most, the back-through, was really tight. And the gate was pretty hard. … There were two poles on either side of the gate, and they’re really tight. In order to get over the gate pole that’s (in the middle of the gate), I usually go further, like straight out, but the pole restricted me, so you had to make it like a turn without hitting it, which is hard because Bob usually hits it, but he didn’t today. … The box was pretty tight, but everything else I thought was really good. It was a good pattern for the finals.

Q. But you rocked and rolled on the turnaround in the box.

Kathryn: I know, I practiced it (the turn) a lot last night, so I hoped I would do good.

Q. What else do you do for last-minute tune-ups?

Kathryn: I just go over raised poles, so he picks his feet up really high. And really tight turns, like on my trots, I do really tight circles, and it helps him.

Q. How do you get yourself psyched up to go in the ring?

Kathryn: When I watch people, I get really nervous, but when I’m on and I’m practicing, I’m fine. My friend Bree, she told me, “Don’t chase it, let it come to you.” And I said that to myself before I went in, and it just calmed me down really good.

Q. What did you think when you found out you had the record high score?

Kathryn: I was crying hysterically. I was so happy. Bob was amazing. He didn’t hit anything, he was so good. I was so happy. I’ve been waiting for this my whole life. This is my dream, and it was so crazy, amazing.

Q. Who would you like to thank?

Kathryn: I’d like to thank Brett Maxwell. He was my trainer before. And Bruce Vickery, of course. My parents supported me so much; they’re so amazing. My little sister, (Mary Francis Gorsuch). She actually won the barrels (at the Ford Youth World Show), so I’m so happy for her. And my friends. They support me so much; they’re amazing.

Q. Tell me about your sister, because it seems like barrel racing is the complete opposite of trail.

Kathryn: It is! Ever since we were little, she has loved barrel racing, and she shows (in the National Barrel Horse Association). And I kept convincing her to come to AQHA. I’m like, “Mary … You could seriously kick some butt.” So I finally convinced her, and she came, and I knew she was going to do good, and she was so happy when she won.

Q. Have you guys always been opposites in the type of horses you like?

Kathryn: When I was little, my mom took me one way, and my dad took her the other way.

Q. Do you guys ever show together?

Kathryn: She doesn’t come to my shows. She usually goes to her shows, and then I go to my shows. It was exciting (to be at the same show together). And I was happy for her. You know, I’m glad to have her here, because she’s my sister and I love her so much. She’s so cute.

FUN FACT: Watch for a feature on horse-showing sisters Kathryn and Mary, who keep very different paces in the pen, coming soon on America's Horse TV.