From the moment she first laid eyes on Im Alonesome Legacy as a foal, Caleigh Anderson of Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, knew the 2007 sorrel tobiano gelding was special. Together, the duo have dominated APHA”s Paint Alternative Competition program in recent years, winning two No. 1 Youth Six PAC Top Five titles and clinching the No. 1 overall Six PAC Top Five title for 2018.
The duo also earned the Six PAC Champion title, awarded to a horse that wins at least six year-end PAC categories in a single year: in 2017, Caleigh and “Zoro” won Youth Games, Youth English Pleasure, Youth Equitation, Youth Showmanship, Youth Trail, 4-H English and 4-H English Showmanship.
“I instantly fell in love with Zoro,” Caleigh said. “Zoro has been my horse since the day we brought him home. I can actually count on one hand the number of other people who have ever ridden him. I’ve done all the training with him, and the fact that I’m one of the only ones to ride him is why I think we have such a great bond.”
Bred by Robert Hall of Shelocta, Pennsylvania, and owned by Jeanie Anderson of Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, Zoro is by High Lonesome and out of Sugar Bar Max. He’s participated in PAC since 2011 and has nearly 3,000 lifetime PAC credits in 26 categories, along with more than 200 APHA points.
“My mom suggested that we get involved in PAC as a way to get into APHA competition and, as they say, the rest is history,” Caleigh said. “I really enjoy the program because it allows people who aren’t ready to get involved in the breed circuits yet to be rewarded for their efforts on the open circuits. Additionally it helps me to keep Zoro tuned up, as I don’t use a trainer and breed shows are often 7+ hour drives. So in between, we go to open shows to stay on top of our game.”
The Six PAC Champion award is elusive—Zoro is just the third horse to capture the honor.
“It feels so incredibly special—it’s almost unreal that we were one of three to accomplish this title,” Caleigh said. “He’s always had talent, but it takes so much determination and effort to unlock his full potential.
“Zoro has the biggest heart of any horse I’ve ever had; he just wants to try so hard. You have to earn his respect, so not just anyone can get on him and get the best results. His personality is about a mile wide.”
Caleigh recommends the PAC program as a great way to get your Paint involved with APHA.
“PAC is a great program, and it has awesome reward opportunities,” she said. “Not everyone can make it to the World Show, but winning a PAC category is like the world title of open shows!”
Learn more about PAC at apha.com/programs/pac.
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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 promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.