After years on the sideline, this “show mom” is finding her own time to shine.

By Holly Clanahan for The American Quarter Horse Journal

Denise and Courtney Firth with their two new Montana Silversmiths trophy buckles.

As Denise Firth of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, walked Shanghai Impression out of the Ohio Expo Center coliseum on Thursday, she was grinning from ear to ear. And her daughter/coach, Courtney Firth, was finally breathing.

That smile-worthy run was good enough to net Denise and “Shanghai” a win in their novice amateur working hunter class at the AQHA Region Four Championship in Columbus, Ohio. Denise is a longtime show mom, having supported Courtney, 21, throughout her youth and now her amateur career. And Shanghai, 15, has been part of the family for the past decade and has earned Courtney three championships at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, multiple placings at Congress and the Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Show and several Montana Silversmiths belt buckles from AQHA Regional Championships.

But this pairing with Denise was special.

“I’m kind of in shock right now, honestly,” Denise says, tearing up a little. “When I think about it, it’s just an honor that my daughter lets me ride her horse. It’s really him. I give him all the credit.”

Courtney’s the one who convinced Denise that, after years on the sideline, it was her turn to step into the arena.

“She said, ‘Oh, mom, he’ll take you over (the fences); he’ll take care of you,’ ” Denise says. She started riding in August, and the Regional Championship was just her sixth show.

“I’m getting more confident, and because we have such a good horse, really, it is about him. He gets me where I need to go. I’m learning, and he’s teaching me, and I’m having fun. This show is a pleasure,” Denise says. Both mother and daughter love the Regional Championship’s low-key environment, coupled with the high-end prizes.

“Who gives buckles?” Courtney asks. “It’s so cool to come to a show and get good prizes.”

But even though the atmosphere is relaxed, Courtney’s nerves start working when her mom goes into the ring.

“I’m actually more nervous for her than I am for myself,” Courtney says. Although she’s calm and focused while she is riding, when her mom’s the one in the show ring, “I can hardly breathe. Going in, I’m filling her head with too many things that she’s not really going to retain.”

It’s all good advice: Keep a good pace, because nerves will make you draw back and slow your horse down too much. Remember to use outside rein and inside leg.

“She always tells me, ‘Courtney, I’ll try, but I just need to breathe.’ ”

Sharing the ride is a bit of an adjustment for both women. For instance, Courtney lets Denise warm Shanghai up – and it wouldn’t be fair to him to have two riders school him over fences before he shows – so Courtney went into her open working hunter class pretty much cold. (It didn’t matter; they won.)

“But when something like this happens, it’s so fun to be able to share it with her,” Courtney says. After years of Denise cheering on and supporting Courtney, “now I get to cheer her on.”

Denise and Shanghai also placed second in novice amateur equitation over fences.

The Region Four Championship is open to AQHA members in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Ontario. There are 11 Regional Championships in all — including one in Europe and one in British Columbia — and they are put on by AQHA state, provincial or international affiliates. Region Four fun continues through Sunday, so check back for more updates!

Check out the slide show below for more from the show, and click on the photos to read captions.

The American Quarter Horse Journal is your one-stop source for everything about the Quarter Horse. Don’t miss a single issue.

Holly Clanahan
Editor, America's Horse magazine