On August 4, Samantha Bayer of Eagle Point, Oregon, and her gelding, Please Nicker, marked the highest score in the prelims with a 224.5. Coming into the reining finals the next day, they were ninth in the draw and were looking to top the high score of 218.5 marked by Emily Winegar and Good Time Show Girl. The did just that, marking a 220, which held through the next seven riders. The Journal caught up with the high school sophomore back by the Super Barn’s warm-up pen to ask about her winning run.

Q. Tell me about your ride.

There were a lot of people. “Nick” was kind of looking around, but we really rode through it. He was great. He was right there for me. We walked in, and I had a lot of real good friends. They were all cheering for me. So he was fine with that. Started out on circles. Our left circles were really good. He was right there in the bridle. Came back to my small slow. He really did listen to me. Stopped good. Turned a little slicky. I was a little worried about that but he pulled through. Then his right leads were good. Our figure eight, which is something I normally I have problems with, was just right on tonight. It felt really good. Came around, stopped, rolled back for me. He was just there for me.

Q. In the prelims, you had a huge score. How did that feel?

That was amazing. He was so good for me then. It was so overwhelming to score that high. I was just hoping to ride my best again tonight.

Q. Does such a high score put pressure on you coming back into the finals?

No. I was a little nervous, but I just wanted to do good. But my trainer, Trent Pedersen, told me, “You’re in the finals. You can have fun now. The pressure is off.” I was just more excited to go in.

Samantha Bayer and Please Nicker won the Ford Youth World
championship in reining with a score of 220.

Q. After Nick’s win in junior reining at the 2007 World Show, he must really like this arena in Oklahoma City.

Oh, yeah. He came out here with Trent, and he won. So today, I think he knew where he was. It was great to do that victory lap again.

Q. What do you like about Nick?

He’s great. He just always wants to be good. Always wants to please you. He doesn’t like to get into trouble. And in the words of Trent, “He’s a cool little dude.” And I love him. He’s so great.

Q. Tell me about your trainer, Trent, who rode Nick to his open world championship.

Trent has taught me how to ride from the beginning. He’s like my big brother. He’s always there for me. Teases me. Challenges me. And I like to throw it right back at him.

Q. Is there anyone you would like to thank?

There are three that I want to thank for this. One is my grandparents. They are at every show. They come out and watch me ride. They have supported me so much. Second is Trent. He taught me to ride since I was little and he kind of challenged me at open world, so I couldn’t let him have all the glory. So, thank you Trent. And last of all, Nick, of course. He did everything.

BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW
Samantha is on the golf team at St. Mary’s High School in Medford, Oregon. Although she wouldn’t tell us her handicap (it’s not very good, is all she would say). She said not only has golfing helped her learn patience with horses but that showing horses has also helped her in her school sport to learn how to win and lose and how to compete right.