Thirteen-year-old Natalie Koeller made a splash at the 2022 APHA/WCHA Halter Million, becoming a fast favorite among the Halter Million exhibitors. She lived up to the hype, too, winning the reserve championship in the Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Geldings Breeders’ Futurity with FG Forever Charming.
“At the Fossil Gate Farms sale, we had found a mare we really liked and she had a baby at her side. We didn’t realize the baby was eligible for these futurities, but here we are,” Natalie said.
With just two months of training—an a quick gelding procedure earlier this month—“Charlie” got ready for the World Show. Natalie showed the gelding like a pro against some significantly more experienced handlers. For their efforts, Natalie and Charlie took home $5,052 from the Platinum class.
Robin Robinett, who won the Platinum Non-Pro Weanling Geldings class, was impressed with the young showman’s skills.
“I went up and complimented her. She told me ‘I’ve never won over $500.’ Then they announced she won $5,000. The tears just started flowing. She was so excited,” Robin said. “That is what it’s all about. Her elation meant a lot to me. That was pretty cool.”
FG Forever Charming is a 2022 sorrel overo gelding by Execute and out of FG Totally Charming. Bred by Linda & Gary Gordon, he is owned by Ashley Koeller of Bloomington, Wisconsin.