The stake race finals was an adrenaline-filled few minutes, with the leading time broken seven times in the final round at the 2008 Ford AQHYA World Championship Show. Hannah Harmon was last in the draw and broke the leading score for the last time to take home the gold.  Coming out of the Gateway of Champions, Hannah grabbed her phone to tell anxious friends the exciting news. The Journal caught up with the Danville, Arkansas, native for a few quick questions before she took her champion photos.

Q: How did your run go for you?

Really good! I wish I could have ran 8.0 but it worked.

Q: Do you have any good luck rituals before competition?

Just praying.

Q: Is this your first world championship?

Last year I got reserve world champion.

Q: What was it like riding under the Gateway of Champions?

I liked it a lot.

Q: Tell me about your horse.

We raised him and my mom started off riding him and coming to the World, and then she let me ride him. I’ve been riding him now for three or four years. My mom is my trainer.

 
Hannah Harmon of Danville, Arkansas, wins 2008 Ford AQHYA World
Show stake race wold championship.

Q: Did you have to overcome any obstacles to get here?

His hooves are really bad. We have to put lotion and turpentine on them to help keep them strong.

Q: What are your other hobbies?

Playing basketball.

Q: Who do you want to thank?

My parents, my grandparents and everyone who came out to watch me.

BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW

Hannah’s 12-year-old gelding, CG Poco Zan Chick, is a four-time World Show and Youth World qualifier and has received performance Registers of Merit in all three divisions.