(Pilot Mound, MB – November 22, 2005)
--- Lynn Sandercock of Morden, Manitoba and her 1996 registered Quarter
Horse, Zips
Famous Showgirl, also known as Brandy,
have just concluded an extremely successful summer show season, acquiring their
second and third Superior Event Awards from the American Quarter Horse
Association (AQHA). This prestigious AQHA honour is awarded to “any horse in
the Open Division; or in the Amateur and Youth Division, to the contestant and
his/her horse in their respective division, which earns 50 or more points in one
AQHA recognized event”.
In 2004, Lynn won her first AQHA Superior Event award in
Amateur Showmanship, judged solely on the exhibitor’s ability to fit and show
a horse at halter. In this event, the horse is merely a prop to demonstrate the
ability and preparation of the exhibitor. Their 2005 Superior Event awards were
earned in AQHA Open Trail and AQHA Amateur Trail, judged on the performance of
the horse over a series of obstacles, with emphasis on manners, response to the
rider and quality of movement.
Lynn, 51, and her husband Ken Friesen, live on an acreage
outside of Morden, home to seven
Quarter Horses, including Brandy.
“I have my Physical Education degree and have been teaching for 29 years,
including the past 17 years at a Hutterite Colony. Although I am taking this
current year off,” said Lynn.
Lynn Sandercock purchased Zips Famous Showgirl as a
yearling from breeders David and Joan Lockie of
Broadview,
SK.
The brown mare is sired by Zips
Famous
Amos and out of Mistys
Crook. Lynn
turned Brandy over to professional trainer Jess Hartung of High River, AB to
break, train and show as a two- and three-year-old, in the AQHA Open Division.
Hartung and Brandy were the 1999 Canadian National Quarter Horse Show’s
Open Junior Trail Champions, and Hartung is still coach and mentor to Sandercock.
She
also began to show Brandy
as a two-year-old and this dynamic duo has amassed numerous points in two AQHA
divisions (as of Oct.10/05):
Sandercock said, “I started out riding calves before my father bought my brother (Mark
Sandercock also of Morden) and I our own horses. My first show horse was a
thirty-year-old mare. I showed as a youth in the 4-H Light Horse program and
progressed to fairs and open shows. I began my AQHA show career as an adult in
the Open division, because at that time there was no Amateur division.” After
that, Sandercock showed as an all-around competitor in both the Open and Amateur divisions until
she earned the right to show in the AQHA Select Amateur division (for riders who
have reached their 50th birthday).
In 2005, Lynn and Brandy
qualified to participate in four events, Showmanship, Trail, Western
Horsemanship and Hunt Seat Equitation for the 2005 AQHA Select World
Championship Show.
Sandercock said, “Brandy
has always considered herself a little princess. She is so busy-minded and full
of energy. In her stall, she slaps her lips together and shakes her head to make
noise, or does ‘airs-above-the-ground’ to get attention. She has always been
a challenge, so I am particularly proud to be able to achieve these goals I set
this year, and I am very proud of her. Of course, achieving goals and winning
awards is terrific, but Ken and I also really enjoy the journey. We’ve been
able to travel to a lot of new shows and meet a lot of new friends in North Dakota,
Minnesota, and across the Prairie provinces. We especially enjoy the camaraderie associated with being considered part of Zips
Famous Amos’ and David and Joan Lockie’s show family.”
Sandercock plans to continue showing Brandy
in the AQHA Open and Select Amateur divisions for the 2006 show season. It is
safe to assume that this successful team will continue to rack up new AQHA and
MQHA awards.
