NH
horse to compete at
2010 World
Championship Appaloosa Show
by Louisa Amirault, EquineSite.com, LLC
Top Step Invitation, or
"Tate" as he is called, is a two-year-old Appaloosa residing in
North Conway, New Hampshire. He is a brilliant chestnut
with a snowy blanket and a perfect star, stripe and snip. At such a young age,
he has an impressive 16.2h body that should reach 17.1h at
maturity. Tate has been a busy boy in the local state
Appaloosa shows and has ended the regular season undefeated in
his class. He's finished Grand Champion or Grand Reserve
at every show and is currently leading the nation for
two-year-old Appaloosa geldings. He is Top 5 in the nation for
color and is leading in the Territory 6 Performance Permit Color
Incentive Fund.
Owner, Sue Burkett
purchased Tate from Top Step Farm in Texas when he was just
seven months old. He was born to Zippos Specialty, a mare
by five time World Champion, All Hands on Zip. Tate's sire
is Reserve World Champion, Invitational.
When
Sue purchased Tate to be her future hunter equitation horse, she
could not have predicted his early success. Her goal this
year was to be invited to nationals, but after only four shows,
she knew that leading the nation was a possibility. At the
World Championships, Tate will be shown in Open Hunter in Hand 2
& 3 Year Old Geldings and Open color by Jackie Lee Jackson, his
breeder. He will also show in Open 2 Year Old Geldings
with Ronnie Stallings and Sue will be showing him in Non Pro 2 Year
Old Gelding and Non Pro Color Class. A foot injury prevents Sue
from showing him in Non Pro Hunter in Hand.
To prepare for his
national competition, Tate is on Succeed, Probios and Ulcer
Guard for proper digestion. He takes Select Nu-image and Omega Horseshine for his coat and MSM and Corta flex for his joints.
He is on a regular exercise program as well.
"Tate is ponied at a
steady trot and slow canter 6 days a week for 2.5 to 3.5 miles,"
explains Sue. "He is always covered unless he is working
and is blanketed pretty heavily so he is very warm, but not hot.
His coat must be kept down to show in Texas."
Sue is also the owner to
Tate's full brother, four-year-old Invitation to Zip or "Beans".
He was a gift from Jackie Lee Jackson after Sue lost her "Zippi",
another full brother to Tate, in a trail riding accident.
Tate and Beans live with Pancho, Sue's elderly rescue pony.
Sue
has a lot of support behind her. Her husband, Joe, is
supportive and happy to see his wife's dream coming true.
Sue has sponsors to help the dream along.
Dover Saddlery, Sue's employer, is helping with Tate's tack and
clothing. Blue Seal Feeds is supplying the feed, and Myhre
Equine Clinic in Rochester is sponsoring Tate's shots. Other
sponsors include Mark and Jules Hock, who are sponsoring a
Lincoln Navigator, Rich Moore of Berlin, who is doing the
graphics on the side of the vehicle, and Teresa Chute, who is handling
the embroidery. Jamie Farry is sponsoring the hotel stays and keeping Tate's friends up to date on his progress on both Facebook and Twitter. On Facebook, fans can follow Tate at "Baby
Tate Goes to the World's!" Those wishing to get more
involved can call 603-986-1510.
There
is also a raffle to raise money for the trip:
one heavy weight and one medium weight Riders International
Turnout Blanket! The winner can pick color and size. Tickets
are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00, and there are two chances to
win. Raffle ends Oct 31st and drawing will be on or about
November 3rd. The winner will be contacted by phone or email.
Anyone interested in tickets please contact Michelle Herteau at spottedsheila@hotmail.com
The
2010 World Championship Appaloosa Horse Show will
take place October 22-30 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Good luck to Sue
Burkett and Tate!
