For Gloria Maillard Haid of Corinth, Texas, her 2026 APHA World Championship Show debut was 24 years in the making.
Around age 15, Gloria recalls watching her barn mates prepare for the World Show; for Gloria, though, the costs associated with attending a show of that magnitude meant the World Show was not in the cards for her, at least at that time.
Gloria’s dreams, however, remained undeterred. Today, she shares her passion for equines as a therapeutic riding coach for two barns, Stable Strides Farm and Blue Sky Therapeutic, where she predominantly coaches equestrians with disabilities. These barns specialize in adaptive sports riding.
“Anyone can ride,” Gloria said. “We think about it as if it’s their sport. Like, their brother or sister may have soccer or volleyball, but this is their sport—their thing—that they can do. Maybe somebody told them they couldn’t do it, but they can.”
Watching her riders blossom is one of the most fulfilling parts of her job.
“All our worries melt away for our EWD riders,” Gloria said. “They get to do things that they normally wouldn’t be able to do; they get the confidence, and they learn these life skills.”
The Journey
In 2021, Gloria found the perfect Paint mare: the 2006 sorrel solid mare Sensational Angel. Gloria once again started dreaming of coming to the APHA World Show. Unfortunately, tragedy struck and “Angel” passed away before the pair could make it to any shows. It was devastating, Gloria says, but she continued pursuing her goal thanks, in part, to Mr Cool Zippo, a 2006 red roan overo gelding (pictured at top with Gloria).
“The horse that I’m leasing now is the exact same age as [Angel]; he’s 20,” Gloria said about “Bear.” “I can’t help but think that he came into my life right after her to finish that dream I had and make it work.”
Now, it seemed, it was finally Gloria’s time, and the pair made their way to the 2026 APHA World Show. The community and atmosphere of the event left a strong impression.
“[The APHA World Show] is this big grand thing in our heads, and then you come here, and it is big and grand, but everyone is awesome,” Gloria said. “You see a trainer that you followed for years, and you walk by and they say, ‘Hi,’ and you say, ‘Hi,’ and you kind of fangirl a little bit. They’re willing to talk to you. They’re willing to help out.”
Bear and Gloria worked together to bring home several Top 10 finishes, along with a happy ending to a story full of unexpected tragedy, hope and determination. She credits the Follis family—who leased her Bear—along with her barn mates and trainer Robin Chance for her success.
“They’re helping me make my dreams come true,” Gloria said.
Article & top photo by Jordan Mueller; small photo by Raising Stone Creative, courtesy Gloria Haid
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About APHA
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.