Nature Investment and Lisa Farrell took the 2008 junior trail world championship for owner Christina Rapp of Pawling, New York.
Third in the go, AQHA Pro Horseman Lisa Farrell of Durham, Connecticut, and Nature Investment tackled a tough Tim Kimura junior trail pattern November 19. Much of the pattern’s challenge came from elevated poles in tight places following a meandering path. The two scored a 219, bettering their prelims pattern score of 214.5; Jennifer Paul and Eyell Be Outrageous won reserve. In her in-the-arena interview, Lisa said the toughest part about the pattern was “remembering it!” She also added how much she appreciates the mare’s owner, Christina Rapp of Pawling, New York. “It’s just wonderful to do it for the owners,” Lisa said. “They are wonderful people, and they mean a lot to me. I just can’t believe that it happened. I’m amazed.”
Q. What makes this world championship so special?
Lisa: My customer. I’ve enjoyed working for Christina and her mom and dad, and I’m just so thrilled that I could do this. I know how much they appreciate it.
Q. What else was challenging about this pattern?
Lisa: Just putting it all together and staying on course. Just getting into the finals is a tremendous thing to me.
Q. Were you worried at all about her preparation? Is there a trick to getting her shown?
Lisa: No, she’s very smart, and she gives you what she can. She gave me a lot more than I thought she could. She was just wonderful, wonderful.
Q. What are the plans for her now?
Lisa: We’re just going to keep trying to build more in other classes with her, and continue.
Q. Is there anyone you want to thank in particular for this win?
Lisa: I’d like to thank my husband (Jim). He’s been very supportive for the past 25 years. And all the people who have worked with me, all the help I’ve gotten to get to this point.
Q. What was it like to throw the world champion, signed T-shirts to the crowd?
Lisa: That was kind of neat. (She smiled.) I hadn’t done that before.
Q. Do you have anything else to add about your 2008 World Show experience?
Lisa: We enjoy coming here a lot. It’s so nice to prepare here and to show here. It’s been a really nice experience.
Fun Fact: Nature Investment was the 2006 Region Three Experience champion in 2-year-old snaffle bit western pleasure, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
WINNER STATS
Horse name: Nature Investment Pedigree: 2004 bay mare by Potential Investment x Shy By Nature by Zippos Old Gold
Exhibitor/Trainer: Lisa Farrell, Durham, Connecticutt Owner: Christina Rapp, Pawling, New York Breeder: Janis & Angie Kengis, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Total class entries: 48 Purse: $26,731
World Champion Prizes: Custom-designed gold-tone trophy, Montana Silversmiths buckle, neck wreath, gold medallion, Cripple Creek-logo jacket, world champion patch, Tex Tan product, Justin Boots
