Doing it Best

by Robyn Duplisea

Julia Sanderson and her Ridgeview Ranch are no strangers to talented show horses. There is also no doubt that they have a great eye for horses and are one hundred percent committed to giving each horse in their herd the best opportunity for greatness.

Julia fell in love with Her Southern Best as a two year old. Trained and owned by Gabby Lopes at the time, the stunning mare was by Its A Southern Thing was bred by Staci Brown out of the mare Potentially The Best.

"I just knew I had to have her. From the first time I got on her I was sold "

Millie, as she is known at home, has grown up to be a very talented mare winning in both the pleasure and trail while learning the Western Riding and Horsemanship as well.

“I bought Millie from Gabby as a two year old and because of her start there I just knew I had to have her. From the first time I got on her I was sold” exclaimed Julia.

In 2020, Julia and Her Southern Best earned a top five placing in the very deep NSBA World Breeders Championship Limited Non-Pro Two Year Old Western Pleasure and continued to place well in the pleasure at shows as a three year old.

“I cant thank Gabby enough for what she has done for Millie” shared Julia. Gabby and Millie became a talented pair showing in the level1 and Jr trail, but with Gabby’s maternity leave it was time for Millie to move on. Julia wanted to give Millie her best chance at the big shows, and the move to Empyre Show Horses with Brad and Troy was the perfect fit.

“Their talent in trail and all around events has benefited Millie so much. I’m so thankful they are close to all the big shows and for Millie that is my goal. To watch her out there doing so well, makes it all worth while.”

With Brad in the saddle Millie continued to grow as a talented show horse. The pair started off hot with top placings in Oklahoma at the Spring Show.

Millie and Brad have become a beautiful team and will be showing at the NSBA World Show in the Green and “I couldn’t ask for a better place to land for me and my horses. Their dedication and care they give the horses and their customers is incredible. They are professional , organized, and so kind to everyone .. and so kind to the horses. Mike and I are so thankful. ”

Millie deserves credit too, the sweet mare has a personality anyone would love!

“Millie is the sweetest best minded horse. She always gives it her best when showing” shared Julia. “Nothing rattles her in the pen and it makes showing her so fun not to worry about that. When she was first started Gabby took her to move cows and trail ride and she was a trooper then too!! We all love Millie. Her sweet disposition and the trust she has with people make her a joy to be around.”

To watch her out there doing so well, makes it all worth while.”

“Right now our goal is to keep Millie going with Brad in trail and western riding. I’ve shown her myself in pleasure and she has always done well. She will be a great horsemanship horse too for me in the future. I will let the guys tell me when it’s my turn.”

That level of trust and respect is part of what makes a training relationship so successful and Brad is thrilled to work with Julia and Millie.

"Millie has a great stride for the trail" Brad continued, "and she is very eye appealing. We are looking forward to her future career."

“The future for Millie is wide open" adds Julia. "She will go on to be a great show horse and broodmare down the road. As for now she will continue her trail events and work on her western riding, horsemanship and anything else they want to teach her. She seems to catch on fast. ”

Julia knows the ins and outs of showing and her passion for horses and showing is evident in all aspects of her life. Her show clothing business The French Cowgirl Boutique keeps Julia incredibly busy with gorgeous custom designs. In her spare time she also shows in the Ranch events with her Palomino Trashy Blond and has developed a top notch breeding program at Ridgeview Ranch Quarter Horses.

Millie has a great stride for the trail" Brad continued, "and she is very eye appealing. We are looking forward to her future career.

Currently in addition to the show mares, Julia owns two broodmares Batmans Impulsivanny ( Vanny) and Deluxe Combination (Lexie) as well as a yearling, Shes A Wild Thang by MakinMe Willy Wild and a weanling, Too Hot Ta Trot by Extremely Hot Chips. For 2023 they are expecting a Machine Made x Batmans Impulsivanny and an Extremely Hot Chips x Deluxe Combintion.

“Next year we will pull embryos from show mares Ms Flashy Krymsun (Mama) and Trashy Blond (Daisy). Our plan will be to breed Daisy with Patriot and Mama with MMWW and/or Extremely Hot Chips.”

The ranch itself is unique and special. “I

was raised on this ranch and I’m the 3rd generation to own it. It will continue on with my kids and their kids as well. ”

Julia also shares her passion for horses with her Granddaughter and has even shared her talented all around mare Ms Flashy Krymsun with her.

“To share this world with my family means everything to me and to have a horse crazy granddaughter is the cherry on top! She will show Mama as she progresses from leadline to small fry. I cant wait for that, it’s the perfect job for Mama and a great horse for Micky to learn on.”

Ridgeview Ranch Quarter Horses has a very bright future with the talented mares in their program, and a team of trainers that can take them to the top. We will be watching and cheering Brad and Her Southern Best on in the trail events at the NSBA World Show and the majors.