First in the go, Melissa Doddridge of Tustin, California, and her 1998 gray mare Shes Got The Blue rode in with confidence for the equitation over fences finals at the 2008 Ford AQHYA World Championship Show. They set the bar high for everyone who followed. Melissa didn’t have much time to talk after carrying her trophy out of the arena – she was due back in working hunter, after another gold trophy.
Q. What was your plan coming into the class?
Melissa: You know, I just planned to ride it how it felt, how she was going. And everything worked out exactly like I hoped it would. She’s amazing. She couldn’t have been any better. She’s jumping great.
Q. Were you worried about being first in the go?
Melissa: No, not really. I thought if I went first, because I had the next class, I thought, well, I have time before the next class. I rode the course last night, and I was pretty confident with my horse. She was great.
Q. What do you guys have to work on usually?
Melissa: She’s pretty perfect. She colicked three weeks ago, right before we came here. We weren’t sure if we were going to come. She got better really quick. We took her to show, and she has been perfect. We’ve been really careful with her.
Q. What are your plans now?
Melissa: Well, I’m going to go in the working hunter, and we’ll see how that goes. (Then later tonight) I’m going to celebrate – I’ll go with my friends and my parents. Live it up! I’m so excited.
Melissa Doddridge, 17, of Tustin, California, and Shes Got The Blue won the 2008 youth world championship in equitation over fences.
Q. Who do you want to thank?
Melissa: Everyone – my mom (Pamela), especially. My trainer, Tracy. My best friend, Megan, she rode her for me while I was gone, she rode her for me and got her all ready for me.
WORKING HUNTER
Q: You wore your tails today. Did you know it was going to be a big day?
Melissa: This is my shadbelly. I wear it for my classics, and I knew it was an important class, so I thought I would go all-out.
Q: Did you expect to win two?
Melissa: I definitely did not expect to win. I knew my horse was capable of it – she jumps amazing – but it’s all me, and I was worried about how I would ride, and she was just perfect; she did everything I asked her to. She couldn’t have been better. She gave me everything.
Q: Did you have trouble concentrating after you won the first one?
Melissa: I did! As soon as I won, everything was like a big blur. I couldn’t even think. I was so excited. Then my trainer said you need to get on, you need to go. It was so nice. I was relaxed and really wanted to go out and have a good ride because I had already won one. I didn’t care how I placed. I was just so proud of her for being amazing.
Q: Where do you go from here?
Melissa: We’re going to go home and she’s going to have a nice break. I’m going to show my other horses next week, and then we’ll see. Congress is my next show.
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW
It’s the first Ford Youth World for Shes Got The Blue, but Melissa was in the top 10 in working hunter and hunter hack last year with her many-titled gelding and 2003 AQHA Superhorse, Movin Artfully.
WINNER STATS
Horse name: Shes Got The Blue Pedigree: 1998 gray mare by Skys Blue Boy and out of Go Home Misty by Late Home (TB) Exhibitor: Melissa Doddridge, Tustin, California Owner: Pamela Doddridge, Tustin, California
Total class entries: 110 Sponsored by Terrie Brewer Booth and Bobby Booth
