We caught up with three Select riders who will compete at the Adequan Select AQHA World Championship Show to find out about their preparation for the event and what aspects of the show they’re most looking forward to.
“The Select World Show presents a unique situation for riders,” cow horse competitor Larry Lommen of Elizabeth, Colorado, shares. “In an event like working cow horse, there are few people ages 50 and above who are going down the fence at a regular-season show. In Amarillo, I get to compete against guys my own age.” Lommen will compete on his 10-year-old gelding FS Smart Boomer Chic and hopes to draw a fast cow. “He likes to run and handle cattle,” Lommen says. “I’m excited to see what he’ll give me at the show. I’m feeling confident.”
Veteran Harriet Yakatan of Hermosa Beach, California, is a Western pleasure and trail rider who will compete in trail at this year’s Select show. “I’ve been there almost every year since it started,” she says. Yakatan shares with a laugh, “I like it (Select) because the trainers don’t show. They’re there to help us. I usually get more nervous for them when they compete than I do myself. At Select there’s no pressure on me so I just go out and have fun.”
Linda O’Brien of Rancho Sante Fe, California, is also a Select-World veteran. She and her peppermint-loving, 18-year-old gelding Corporate Credit will compete at this year’s show for the eighth time in trail and Western riding. “Each year I always try to qualify for Select,” she shares. O’Brien earned the necessary number of points to qualify at just one regular-season show. “There’s a lot of camaraderie at this event. Everyone’s excited for one another. We all, of course, want to achieve our goals, but we’re supportive if someone else wins,” O’Brien shares. “Some think that moving up to Select means it’s less competitive, and that’s not the case. We’re tough competitors and we leave it all in the show pen.”
We’ll be keeping up with these riders as a part of our #WalkInOurBoots program, brought to you by Soft-Ride Comfort Boots, as they compete throughout the week. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for show updates and exclusive interviews.
