Grand Champions

National Horses of Honor

HS Daydream’s Heads Up

2009 American Saddlebred gelding (Undulata’s Nutcracker x A Daydream Believer, Attache’s Born Believer) Owner: Hagan Saddlebreds, Inc.

HS Daydream’s Heads Up victory in the Fine Harness World’s Grand Championship at the 2021 World’s Grand Championship Horse Show was notable not only because he was driven by an amateur, his breeder/owner Scott Hagan, but that they became the only amateur combination in the show’s long history to win back-to-back World’s Grand Championships in different divisions. Coupled with his 2020 win in the Three-Gaited championship, he became only the second horse ever to win the World’s Grand Champion titles in both of those divisions.

Over his 11-year show-ring career, Heads Up has won a total of two World’s Grand Championships and five Reserve World Grand Championships along with seven World’s Champion and one Reserve World’s Champion title. Heads Up is known for his commanding presence in the ring, but has become beloved by the American Saddlebred community for his approachable, kind nature back in the barn, making him an exceptional ambassador for the breed.

Sjaantje

2005 Friesian mare (Tsjerk x Wietske Janke V, Ritse) Owner: Gail Aumiller

Sjaantje is a 2005 Friesian mare competing in all divisions of carriage pleasure driving. She has been trained and shown exclusively by her amateur owner, Gail Aumiller, for the past 5 years.

In 2021, the mare competed at events up and down the East Coast, beginning with the Aiken Carriage Classic where she tied to win the Open Single Horse Championship. She also won the Single Horse Championship at the Greater Boston Charity Horse Show after winning five of the six classes she entered, including two open breed classes. She subsequently earned top placings at the Lexington Carriage Classic, Orelton Farm Carriage Shows, Villa Louis, and the Ocala International Horse Show.

Sjaantje also earned high honors against other high-performing Friesians in International Friesian Show Horse Association competitions. At the IFSHA World and Grand National Championship Horse Show, Sjaantje won the perpetual high point Friesian driven dressage trophy with scores of 77% and a 76% at the Intermediate level. Sjaantje entered 14 classes at the competition, earning 8 championship titles and 6 reserve championship titles. She also competed at the IFSHA Buckeye Summer Jubilee, winning the open turnout, concours d’elegance, and amateur sport pleasure driving classes.