In the arena following the hunt seat equitation, there were only three riders left -- Elizabeth Borders, Cara Walker and Katy Krshka – all friends. Waiting for the announcer to declare the placings, the three pushed their horses together and hugged each other from their saddles. Called first, for third place, was Elizabeth. The next name called was Cara’s. That meant Katy Krshka had finally won a world championship, riding her gelding Rockin Zip. She burst into tears as she waited for her friend Cara to receive her reserve championship trophy. She then pushed “Rocky” forward to have the championship neck ribbon put around his neck. As she went around for her victory lap, Katy’s face was stained with tears but brightened by a smile. The Journal caught up with Katy shortly after the awards ceremony to ask her about her winning run.
Q. Tell me about your ride.
My horse isn’t exactly like a huge eq horse. He’s not very tall actually. I just went in and laid out the best pattern that I could and hit all my markers, and he did everything I asked him.
Q. Did you have a plan going in?
Just to be soft with my hand and line up as best I could. Just worry about myself and not how other people did, I would do well.
Q. What were you thinking as the placings were being announced?
I don’t know. I was just so happy to be in the top 10 and then top five and then when it was the three of us, I was just so excited to get a trophy. It was amazing.
Q. Is this your first world show trophy?
I was reserve last year in the western riding and then earlier this week I was third in the showmanship and fourth in the horsemanship. But this win was really exciting. This was my first world championship.
Katy Krshka was the Ford Youth World champion in hunt seat equitation, riding her gelding Rockin Zip.
Q. What does it feel like?
It hasn’t sunk in yet, for sure. I’m just so happy right now.
Q. Tell me about Rockin Zip.
I call him Rocky and his best event is probably the horsemanship and showmanship. We previously owned him and didn’t do the eq. I was the first one to start on him ,but my mom raised him and trained him. So he’s been in our program and then we sold him and now we have him back.
Q. What’s his personality like?
He can be very stubborn at times,but he knows when it’s show time that and he puts his “A” game on and goes and does his best.
Q. Your mother, Jackie Krshka, is she your trainer. How does that work?
It’s difficult at times like this morning. But we usually work it out before we get to a show and just find a way.
Q. I bet she was the first person you were looking for when you came out of the arena, though.
Yes. Yes she was. She supports me 110 percent all the way.
Q. Who would you like to thank?
My mom, dad, my grandpa for sure and just everybody who supported me and rode with me – friends in our barn – they’ve all just been there for me every step of the way. Through ups and downs, we’ve all been together.
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW Katy’s grandfather is American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame inductee Jack Kyle, who passed away in January 2007. “He was with me there the whole time, too,” Katy said after her first world championship. “I know he’s watching down on me. He’s in my thoughts all the time.”
WINNER STATS
Horse name: Rockin Zip Pedigree: 1994 gelding by Zippo Pine Bar x Rockettes Kissame by Palleo's Pimpernel Exhibitor/Owner: Katy Lynn Krshka, Yukon, Oklahoma Trainer: Jackie Krshka, Yukon, Oklahoma
Total class entries: 174 Sponsored by McGrath Quarter Horses
