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SUDDENLEE ad by Natalie Zvanya | Photos by Cody Parmenter & Jeff Kirkbride
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NSBA RES. WORLD
CHAMPION
LOOK FOR THIS TEAM AT... OCALA THE CONGRESS AQHA SELECT WORLD SHOW
SINGLE
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cover story
katie heflin-steele This year has been quite the ride for Katie Heflin Steele and her great mare, Made To Ride. Most recently they won the World Championship in 3-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure at the National Snaffle Bit Association’s World Championship Show. This win was a dream come true for Katie, as it was the very first World Championship for both her and her mare.
Made to Ride Katie grew up riding and showing Paint Horses. When she took a break from showing to attend college and law school, her father purchased a Quarter Horse broodmare. A few years later Katie would make her return to the show pen and debut in AQHA competition on a filly her family raised out of that mare. Her success with their homegrown filly later led to the creation of HS Equine Ventures, a partnership between Katie and her husband Chad Steele, and her parents, Jud and Gail Heflin. “My parent’s and I share a passion for raising foals and showing futurity horses,” said Katie. “It’s a lot of fun to watch them grow up and begin their careers. When all the pieces finally come together it’s really rewarding, especially at one of the major events like the NSBA World Show.” Although HS Equine Ventures has had success as an owner at the NSBA World Show, last year was the first year Katie was able to compete there as an exhibitor. “Watching Beth Case show our horse, Al My Assets, to win the NSBA World Championship in the Open 2 Year Hunter under Saddle in 2019 was incredible,” said Katie. “But winning it for myself is even more special. Having a horse nice enough to compete at a show of that caliber is amazing, and winning it is a dream come true.”
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<<Made to ride
In addition to winning the NSBA World Championship in 3-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure, Katie and Made To Ride, who is sired by Machine Made out of Huntin For A Cowboy, were Reserve World Champions in the Novice Amateur Western Pleasure and Reserve Champions in the BCF 3-YearOld Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure. Garrett Streit also showed “Foxy” in the Open events, winning the Reserve World Championship and Reserve BCF Championship in the 3-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure. “Foxy showed in five classes at this year’s World Show and won one Championship and four Reserve Championships,” said Katie. “I couldn’t ask for anything more. She’s just a great horse and this year has been incredible. I am really looking forward to showing her in Ocala and Columbus.” Katie and Foxy have a busy month ahead, starting with The Championship Show in Ocala, Florida where they will compete in the 3-Year-Old Limited
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Non-Pro Western Pleasure and Novice Amateur Western Pleasure. From there, they will head north to the All-American Quarter Horse Congress before heading back south for the AQHA World Championship Show. “Aside from the NSBA World Show, the Congress is one of my favorite shows,” said Katie. “This is my last year competing as a Novice and since the Congress was cancelled last year it will be the only time I get to compete in the Novice Amateur Western Pleasure there. I’m really excited and hoping for the best.” Adding to the excitement of the next month will be the long-awaited debut of HS Equine Ventures’ two-yearold western pleasure horse, Jeanie In A Bottle.
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<<
Jeanie in a Bottle
Jeanie In A Bottler
her debut with RJ in the 2-Year-Old Maiden Western Pleasure at The Championship Show.
Jud Heflin and RJ King first saw Jeanie In A Bottle at the
The Championship Show is a brand-new event at
NSBA World Championship Show Yearling Sale. They
the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida. Their
weren’t planning to buy any horses when the bay filly
inaugural 2-Year-Old Maiden Western Pleasure class
entered the sale ring. Impressed by both her pedigree
features an estimated purse of $75,000.
and movement, Jud put in the high bid and sent the filly home with RJ and his partner, Blair Townsend, to begin
“I’m really looking forward to watching Jeanie show
her training.
with RJ,” said Katie. “I’m also excited to show her in the non-pro classes either this fall or next year as a three-
“RJ and Blair have done a great job of developing
year-old. She’s a sweet mare and has loads of talent
‘Bonnie’s’ natural talent,” said Katie. “She is such a
but she also has some grit which I think will make her a
pretty, soft mover and I am hopeful that she will emulate
great show horse.”
the success of both her sire and dam.” Article By Claire Binkowski
Sired by VS Flatline out of World and Congress
Casual Pictures by Kirstie Marie Photography
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