SON OF KHEMOSABI, KAKHEM SAHIB+/
2007 US NATIONAL RESERVE CHAMPION WORKING COW HORSE
2007 US Nationals
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Son of Khemosabi, Kakhem Sahib+/
Reserve US National Champion Working Cow Horse
KHEMO POWER
This was my first US National experience – watching my own horse perform. Excitement and anticipation, was truly an understatement as I traversed the distance to Albuquerque with two of my three children with me.
We all were fully outfitted in our custom “Khemo Power” attire. My 6 year old daughter, Sydnee, was cute as a bug in her pink “Khemo Power” rhinestone hat and shirt. Of course, I had matching attire, (but wasn’t as cute). It was our way of advertising our love and spirit for our horse that was going to be competing in the open Working Cow Class. I like to call it, “walking billboards” for small breeders like us that don’t have a big advertising budget! I was amazed at the people that stopped us, just to talk about their personal love of the GREAT Khemosabi. It was the perfect way to connect with this special group of people.
I couldn’t sleep the night before the Semi-Final run. I probably drove Eddie Ralston, our trainer, crazy with my hyper-active excitement. People who know me, realize that the more excited I get, the faster I talk. Well, I had several people ask me to “repeat” something, because I was talking too fast.
Our “Khemo”, Kakhem Sahib+/, had a fabulous first run and ended up in second place during the Semi-finals. On video, you can hear the passionate cheers from my daughter and son “Go Khemo.” The whole week, Sydnee kept saying, “I just want Khemo to win the roses Mom!” All I could say was, “Sweetie there are 30 other riders that want to win the roses, we’ll see how it goes.” (But in my heart too, I wanted it more than ever.)
During the Championship run, I was sitting on edge. The competition was great and the cows were fabulous. The top 10 horses from the Semi-finals were invited back for the Championship run. Our Khemo was 7th on the order of go. He came in arena – he was ready. He gave it all he had and took over with the leading score of 210. But, we had some good horses and riders to follow. The next two horses, couldn’t beat him. Then, Eddie Ralston rode in the Khemosabi grandson, Amerikan Eagle and stole the show. He had an awesome ride and beat our score. But, in the spirit of the event, I was thrilled with the results. A Khemosabi grandson and son, National Champion and Reserve National Champion!!
Go Khemo Power. My daughter was so excited, she climbed aboard “Khemo” with Eddie for the Win photo. For moment I was in Twilight Zone as I watched my daughter climb up on “Khemo.” I imagined it was me and all of my childhood dreams were being fulfilled at the very moment. No, it was my 6-year-old daughter experiencing the very Moment I dreamt about. It was amazing. With all the spirit and enthusiasm she she could muster, my daughter yelled out, from on-top of Khemo, “Hey, Mom. Khemo Power Rocks!”
The rest of the week, we enjoyed the show. I’m sure some would remember me with my two children, and our “redneck” golf-cart (stroller with no engine!) as we wheeled around the fairgrounds. Not very fast, be we got around. This show also proved that small breeders, like myself, can compete and WIN at the National Level – at least in the Working Cow classes.
The last day we were there, they unveiled a “Khemosabi” bronze. It was quite the event. Ruth Husband, her grandson Christian and son Paul, attended the event. So, I was able to meet the original “Red headed Companion” of the GREAT Khemosabi. It was a perfect way to end our week.
Next year, I want to ride our son of Khemosabi, in the arena. It would be my dream. I want to thank Eddie Ralston, from Ralston Training Center, for all his hard work, dedication and love of the sport of Working Cow. Most of all, I want to thank him for taking such wonderful care of my boy.
This win proves, that in the Working Cow Classes at the National Level -- even little folks like myself can be successful in the showring! Hopefully the politics and glamour that have polluted some of the other performance events will stay out of Cow work!!
