The Southern Ohio Quarter Horse Association’s The Madness AQHA and NSBA circuit got underway Thursday with the Pre-Madness portion of the show, and on Friday, the first NSBA futurity champions were crowned for the 2024 circuit.
The $1,000 Added NSBA All Age Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle saw two exhibitors and horses tied to win the class, splitting the first and second place prize money of $509.25 each. However the tiebreaker saw Hez Blazing Brave and Hilary Hoffman taking home the NSBA bronze trophy.
“This is Tuck, and this is extra special because I raised him and trained him myself,” Hilary said. “He’s by Hot N Blazing and out of Only Good Karma. We’ve placed in this class before, but this is our first time to win it. I’m excited, because we’re from Ohio and being able to keep the win in Ohio is really nice.”
Hilary described her ride aboard Tuck. “He was very consistent and listened to me really well and was focused,” she said. “It was a very relaxing ride – I didn’t have to worry about the traffic or anything and just enjoyed it.”
Tying for the win were Code Thirty and Molly Morgenstern. “I usually ride Reiners, so this was something completely different,” Molly said. “This was my very first NSBA futurity class. I just decided this morning to enter it. This is just my fourth time to show in Hunter Under Saddle.”
Showing ‘Virgil’ was actually coming full circle for Molly and her trainer, Carly Veldman Parks. “Carly used to work for Vicky Holt, and Vicky bred Virgil,” she explained. “Vicky gave us this limited opportunity to get Virgil. He’s by VS Code Red and out of a thoroughbred and Zips Chocolate Chip mare, and he’s been great. Unfortunately Vicky sold the mare before she knew how nice Virgil was, and I think she's trying to find her again.”
The class was also a family affair for Molly. “My dad, Jeff Morgenstern, shows with Wade and Carly, and he just turned 80 years old two weeks ago” she said. “He was standing on the rail today coaching me. I guess you’re never too old for coaching from Dad.”
Molly and Virgil are coming off a successful week at the AQHA Level 1 East Championships, where they were champions in Level 1 Hunter Under Saddle.
The top five placings in the $1,000 All Age Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle were:
• Champion (via tiebreaker): Hez Blazing Brave, Hilary Hoffman, Columbus, OH, $509.25
• Reserve champion (via tiebreaker): Cody Thirty, Molly Morgenstern, Galena, OH, $509.25
• Third: Jack And Koa, Shelly Boyle, Canonsburg, PA, $291.00
• Fourth: Blazing Hot Brass, Mary Caitlyn O’Malley, Frankfort, IL, $145.50
• Fifth: Keepin A Strait Face, Ashley Conger, Streetsboro, OH
The Pre-Madness portion of the show continues through Sunday, May 5, and the Madness portion begins Tuesday, May 7, and runs through Sunday, May 12. Saturday, May 4, will see a full day of Trail and Western Riding events, while on Sunday, May 5, exhibitors will compete in Horsemanship and Western Pleasure, including the next NSBA Futurity class, $1,000 Added Three Year Old Limited Rider Western Pleasure.
To view complete results, please visit the Horse Show Tracker app.
