Overcoming hurdles: That’s what it’s all about for many Adequan Select World exhibitors.

Charlene Timmins and Huntin The Blues, aka "Tuffy." There's a great story behind every Select exhibitor. (Scroll down for today's Journal slide show.)

By Mallory Martin, AQHA Marketing Intern

For many of the over-50 crowd showing at the 2010 Adequan Select World Championship Show, coming to show their American Quarter Horses is a big challenge in a variety of ways.

Every Select exhibitor has a story to tell; we thought you’d like to meet a few.

A Belated Start and a New Horse

Charlene Timmins of Chipley, Florida, came to the Adequan Select World to show in trail after losing her horse last year just two weeks before the 2009 show.

In August 2009, Charlene’s horse died of a kidney infection. She had planned on taking him to Amarillo for a second time.

As a way to remember her horse, Charlene wears jewelry made of his tail hair.

“I wear this bracelet when I ride,” Charlene says. “It gives me spirit that he’s there.”

Charlene’s husband, Stanley, had surprised her with a horse when she was 58. She hadn’t been around horses since before she was married. Stanley wanted her to live out her dream. ‘He told me we have worked too long and too hard not to fulfill that dream,’ Charlene said.

Charlene has been showing her new horse, Huntin The Blues, aka “Tuffy,” for almost a year now and will be competing in trail September 1.

She has really enjoyed coming to this show and has met many wonderful people, but she relies on her husband’s support, her trainer’s guidance and Tuffy’s great rides, Charlene said.

A Long Haul to Commemorate a Close Friend

Patricia Odlum of Pilot Mound, Manitoba, showed her halter horse, Heza Perpetual Kid, in aged geldings while wearing a special pair of earrings in memory of her good friend, Susan Hanks.

Susan shared Patricia’s passion for showing horses, and the two had showed together for 15 years. But Susan died this past year after fighting breast cancer.

To help with overcoming the loss, Patricia continued showing her horse and decided to make the long, 1,200-mile haul to Amarillo to compete in her first Adequan Select World.

“I can do it, so I’m here.” Patricia says. “And I have a good horse too.”

He is a 2006 gelding by Perpetuality and out of Miss Kool Kelo by My Skip Vanzi. The gelding has had multiple top-10 world show placings.

To complete Patricia’s tribute to Susan, just before her class, Susan’s husband, Glen, gave Patricia a pair of Susan’s earrings to wear.

Years of Adversity Haven’t Stopped Sandy Slocum

Sandy Slocum of Coldwater, Mississippi, has brought her horse Shifty Lynx to the last five Adequan Select Worlds and has overcome different hardships four of those years. After personal injuries and illness, Sandy still found a way to compete and make the top 10 in at least one class at three of the last four shows.

Last year, even though she did not place, Sandy was glad she came to the show because a group of special needs children came to the show. They came a little too late in the day to watch the classes, so she offered to let them sit on her horse’s back while she finished grooming him for the day.

“That was the reason God had me out here last year,” Sandy says. “It was to be with that group of kids, and that made the show for me.”

This year, Sandy made the showmanship finals, and she will compete later in the week in equitation and horsemanship.

The American Quarter Horse Journal is onsite to bring you full coverage of the 2010 Adequan Select World, including daily slideshows like the one below. (Click on the photo to read the caption.)

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