Hunter Hack

Kristin Hull and Into The Blue win the youth world championship in hunter hack.

by Allison Armstrong
The American Quarter Horse Journal

For 17-year-old Kristin Hull of Ligonier, Indiana, winning the August 7 hunter hack finals at the Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show marked the culmination of five years of hard work and determination.

This is Kristin’s fifth year at the Ford Youth World, and her first year to win a world championship trophy.

“It’s a great feeling,” Kristin said. “It’s good to know that all that hard work that goes in pays off after so long – and to be out there (in the class) with all that competition and all the girls who want the same thing.”

Even though Kristin was nervous riding into the class, she knew her horse, Into The Blue, could handle it.

“He is a joy to ride,” Kristin said. “I just kinda sit up there and do my thing and he usually takes care of me.”

Bred by Ray and Linda Monaco of Prosperity, Pennsylvania, Into The Blue is a 2005 gray gelding by Skys Blue Boy and out of Karaoke Ave by Wolf Power. He is owned by Kristin’s father, John Hull of Ligonier, Indiana.

Kristin began riding horses at the age of 10. Unlike many Ford Youth World competitors, Kristin has never ridden western.

“I’ve always ridden English and always been jumping,” said Kristin. “My favorite class is probably hunter hack. I love the rail work and I love jumping, and (hunter hack) puts that all together.”

“I’d like to thank my parents for always supporting me, my friends, my trainer (AQHA Professional Horseman Lainie DeBoer) and all the people who have always supported me along the way.”