Across the Ocean for a Dream: Hilda’s Halter Million Debut
For most exhibitors at the 2025 APHA/WCHA Halter Million, the journey to Fort Worth, Texas, is a matter of a few hours on the road. For Hilda Van Leeuwen, it took crossing an ocean.
The horsewoman from Wassenaar, Holland, arrived in Texas this fall with a suitcase full of show clothes, her trainer by her side and a striking gelding named Wow What A Secret waiting for her in the barn aisle. It was Hilda’s first time competing at the Halter Million, and she made the trip count.
Love at First Click
Hilda purchased “Maverick” in Summer 2025. Her trainer, Kimberly Clark of Floral City, Florida, was selling the gelding for some clients.
Falling for Maverick was a bit of a surprise. Hilda had told Kimberly that she wanted a mare, preferably without a white face or blue eyes. Then one day, Kimberly sent her a photo of a young gelding that checked all the boxes she didn’t want.
“I fell in love with him on the internet,” Hilda said. “I always said, ‘No white face, no blue eyes.’ And what did I end up with? You guessed it. He’s got a white face and two blue eyes.”
Maverick is a 2022 sorrel overo gelding by Im The Secret and out of Wow What A Razzle. He was bred by Jack and Sherry Melver of Ionia, Iowa. Kimberly had known Maverick since he was about 10 months old.
“When she decided to buy Maverick, he was for sale from a previous client,” Kimberly said. “Their kid had to go off to college, and he was a Youth horse. So, they decided to sell him, but they wanted to make sure he went to someone that they were really happy with.”
The transition felt seamless, Kimberly says.
“Actually, they all knew each other anyway, so it worked out great,” she said. “The previous owners are happy with the new owner, and so that’s why we’re here, because she wanted to make a stop off before he heads to her country. And I said, ‘Well, let’s knock off one thing off your bucket list and go do it.’ ”
In the Arena
Kimberly was more than proud to see Maverick shine on a big stage at the Halter Million. The moment seemed like their story coming full circle.
“He came to me when he was about 10 months old. He’s been very fun,” Kimberly said. “He’s done really well on the Youth and the Amateur and the Open. And he’s just full of personality. He’s never boring, but he’s very sweet and kind, and he tries hard.”
The gelding earned Top 10s in Open and Amateur 3-Year-Old Geldings at the Halter Million with Kimberly and Hilda. The experience of showing in Texas was vastly different from what Hilda was used to.
“In Europe, we have shows, but it’s not as big as this,” she said. “Especially the halter horses. It’s a very small industry there. There are a few breeders in Italy and in Germany; there is one or two in Holland. And here it’s like, wow.”
Beyond the Lone Star State
Transporting a horse takes patience and detailed planning, with the hope that the journey is smooth. For Hilda and her clan, sending Maverick from Florida to Texas and then on to Holland took extra careful planning.
“The only stressful thing was just kind of keeping him happy, healthy and out of mischief until he got here,” Hilda said. “I’ve got everything planned ahead of time. I just want everybody to be happy and healthy. It does give me a few ulcers, but that’s OK. It’s worth it.”
Once Maverick finishes quarantine and arrives in Holland, Hilda has plans for his future.
“Obviously, Maverick is a true halter horse, with a physique that matches,” Hilda said. “He will be in training in Holland, and then [Kimberly] will make a rider out of him for me. Hopefully, everything works out. Where we can show him, we will show him.”
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The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.