2-Year-Old Geldings

First world championship a long time coming for Obbie Nichols.

by Christine Hamilton
The American Quarter Horse Journal

Obbie Nichols left the Jim Norick Arena with a big smile on her face.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a very long time,” Obbie said after winning the 2012 youth world championship in 2-year-old geldings with her mother’s homebred My Finishing Touch, aka “Snowball.”

“I’ve been showing since I was 5, and I’ve been close; I was reserve in 2005 with my (aged) mare (Everlasting Elegance). It’s unbelievable; I’m truly blessed to be able to do this.”

AQHA Professional Horseman Ted Turner Jr. of Aubrey, Texas, has helped Obbie with Snowball for the past few months.

“(Snowball) is made very well and just has all the extra stuff that comes on (as they get older),” she said.

Obbie likes the challenge of showing halter.

“There’s always a little bit of nerves going in because halter horses, you never know if they’re going to be perfectly fine or if they’re going to get excited. I just try and do my best and stay focused and make sure I stay calm for the horse.”

The gelding is a third-generation homebred for Obbie’s mother, Claire Freeze Nichols; Claire also raised the gelding’s dam and granddam.

“His mother was stuck by lightning after we weaned him,” Obbie said. “He’s wonderful. He’s a Mr Elusive and … he’s wonderful and easy to be around and behaves perfectly most of the time.”

Obbie can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to show horses.

“From the time I was in diapers and could barely talk, (my mother) pushed me around in a stroller at horse shows,” she said. “I wanted to show as soon as I could. My first show was actually out in San Antonio at a Halloween contest …. I’ve been showing ever since then.”

This is the last Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show for Obbie, and her last year of youth eligibility. She begins school as a freshman at Dallas Baptist in the fall but plans to continue showing as an amateur.

“I’d like to thank my mom, of course,” she adds. “She has done everything and has … worked hard (at this) for as long as I can remember; and Ted Turner and (AQHA Professional Horseman) Jason Smith for helping me; and my dad (Fred).

“And I thank God for giving me this opportunity.”