Though he’s only had three trips into the Western pleasure show pen, it’s safe to say Can I Get Your Number has had a successful start to his under saddle career, thanks to the Premier Paint Sires 3-Year-Old Limited Horse Limited Rider program presented by InStride Edition.
After winning both the Utah and North Carolina Premier Paint Sires classes, “Stuart,” a 2011 chestnut overo gelding by A Sudden Surprise and out of She Made It Sweet (QH), returned to owner Joe Hansen’s hometown turf at the Iowa Paint Horse Breeders’ Futurity to defend his titles.
“It was really exciting for the hometown crowd—I had a lot of family members who were able to attend that ordinarily wouldn’t,” Joe said. “It was pretty cool to have him come to my home turf.”
Stuart certainly didn’t disappoint his fan base; piloted by trainer Jenna Hyde, the gelding cruised to a third win and the series championship.
“It’s still hard to put it into words—he’s pretty unbelievable,” Joe said. “In total, Stuart earned 11 firsts and one second place; it just speaks to his abilities and Jenna and Jeffery [Gibbs’] training talent, time and support. Their training program is definitely tailored to the horse, and they’ve taken Stuart along at his own pace; I couldn’t ask for him to be in better hands.”
Stuart and Jenna earned $8,700 and a trophy saddle for their third win, as well as the bonus $10,000 for being the high-finishing horse at all three events. In total, the pair won more than $36,000 through the Premier Paint Sires program.
Stuart’s next stop is the APHA World Championship Show, where he’ll compete in the 3-Year-Old Novice Horse Limited Rider Western Pleasure Sweepstakes and the 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure Challenge. Next year, Joe plans to take the reins to compete in the Amateur division with the gelding.
“He’s definitely a show horse,” Joe said. “He knows when it’s time to go do something, and he just perks right up to watch the crowd and the other horses. His ears are always forward—he seems to love it.”
Heavenly Machine, a 2011 chestnut overo mare by Fleet Machine and out of Save My Spot N Heaven, finished second to earn $8,700. The mare is owned and exhibited by Gavin Pope of Raymond, Illinois. Gavin also picked up a $1,250 bonus check as the highest-placing Non-Pro.
The classes are only open to horses and riders who meet eligibility requirements, but Regular Registry and Solid Paint-Bred horses compete side-by-side. For more information, visit the Premier Paint Sires website, which also lists all currently enrolled stallions and information about the second and third classes in the series.
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.