Jumping

Mallory Myers and Darn That Kat jump to their world championship.

by Larri Jo Starkey
The American Quarter Horse Journal

Just minutes after Taylor Myers won the world championship in working hunter August 7, it was her sister Mallory’s turn.

Riding Darn That Kat, Mallory had a clean first round in jumping then raced around the jump-off course in 46.726, good enough for her first world championship at the 2012 Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show in Oklahoma City.

“I love the jumpers,” Mallory said. “It’s a lot more fun than the other classes.”

Everything went according to plan, she said. Her trainer, AQHA Professional Horseman Alfred Hewitt, advised her not to knock any fences down. She took that advice to heart.

“The first go, I was really scared, because I hit a couple of rails, and I was really hoping they didn’t fall but then it all worked out good,” Mallory said. “He’s a great horse and I knew he would do good. For the jump-off, since there were only two, it was to make sure all the rails stay up so I could place either first or second. I had a guaranteed trophy either way.”

Mallory was confident in her ride. Darn That Kat, aka “Sylvester,” has a long string of world championships with the Myers family of Sharon Center, Ohio.

Sylvester and Dr. Scott Myers were Select world champions in 2009, 2010 and 2011. They were the 2009 Select world champions in equitation over fences.

Mallory’s sister, Taylor, was reserve world champion in equitation over fences with Sylvester in 2006.

Mallory was thrilled to finally get her own world championship trophy with the gelding, who has a slew of other accomplishments on his record.

“I love Sylvester,” Mallory said. “He’s the most trustworthy horse we have, and we’ve had him for forever. He’s a lot of fun, and I know he’ll do his best.

“He really likes peppermints. Pretty much every horse likes peppermints, but he really likes them. It’s amazing.”

The 1997 gray gelding is by Kat Man Zip and out of Devin’s Belle (TB) by Darn That Alarm. He was bred by Walter and Helen Sohl and Pamela Myers, and is owned by Mallory’s mom, Dr. Leslie Myers.

When the sisters get home, they’ll celebrate, Mallory said.

“(The trophy will) go right in the middle of the living room so everyone will know,” she said.