MINIATURE HORSES Strutt to World Titles

Contributed Courtesy AMHA

The 2021 AMHA World Championship Show was held September 25-October 2 at the historical Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum. This year’s show was spectacular, with over 500 horses entered and the most class entries it has had since 2016. The show typically draws enthusiasts from across the world, however with Covid still impacting travel, the international crowd had to watch online from home.

The American Miniature Horse is defined by its small stature; 34 inches tall, as measured at the last mane hair. These small equines compete in a wide variety of classes, including halter, driving, halter and driving obstacle, showmanship, and inhand hunter/jumper.

Emilee Plett with Pecan Hollow Antonio's Liliana

Casey McBride

This year, several Southwest breeders brought home top prizes. The Amateur Grand Champion Halter Futurity Championship went to a yearling mare, Pecan Hollow Antonio’s Lilyana, who is bred and co-owned by Michael Brandt of Alvord and shown and co-owned by Emilee Plett of Little Elm.

Stephani Pappas and First Knights Legendary Icon

Casey McBride

Stephani Pappas of Spurger took home the Amateur Heritage Grand Championship with her horse, First Knights Striders Buckshot. The Heritage Champion is awarded to the top horse under 30” tall.

Kameron Welma with Bar B Destiny's Over the Rainbow

Lauren Greaves

The Southwest youth also did amazing, taking home both 2021 Youth Scholarship awards, one to Kameron Welma of Kyle, and the other to Sophie Sachtieben of Dripping Springs.

First time World Show participant Sue Mason traveled from Arizona, overcoming car troubles and horses having travel difficulties to compete with her team of miniature appaloosas. Sue made history with her team not only as the first to compete with a team of multiple horses in obstacle driving, but also winning the Amateur Obstacle Driving championship!

While the World Show wraps up the show season for the American Miniature Horse Association, the break is short-lived, as the season kicks off in January at the Fort Worth Stock Show. The mini show is January 20-21 in the John Justin Arena.

For more information on the AMHA and the miniature horse breed, and to watch replays of the 2021 World Show, please visit www.amha.org. 🎠