Last ride wins trip to Fort Worth
and Quarter Horse Youth World

June 17, 1999
Seeley Swan Pathfinder

Fourteen-year-old Michelle Noland, sponsored by Horseshoe Hills Guest Ranch, earned a spot Sunday on the Montana Youth Team that will compete at the American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show in Fort Worth, Texas later this summer.

Riding in the final class culminating three days of competition at the Saddle Club Show in Billings, Michelle, standing in third place, moved to second place and a team spot with a first-place finish in the last qualifying class for the year.

In the previous two days of competition in the Youth Western Pleasure Class, 18-year-old Christie Veltkamp, Bozeman, had earned enough points to clinch first place, and second place was a toss-up between Michelle and Autumn Murphy, 16, of Deer Lodge.

Autumn had taken a narrow lead on the second day of competition with a first place finish while Michelle slipped to fourth, giving up valuable points that could only be recovered with a first-place finish the next, and final day.

Riding Yogi (Magnolia Burner), Michelle received the judge's first-place decision on Sunday, with Autumn placing second. Autumn, however, has qualified for the World Show, in Youth Trail classes.

The Montana Team will be part of 2000 youngsters, age 18 and under, from the United States and several countries that will compete at the AQHYA Show and Convention August 5-15 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center.