By Liz Shepard
Most people wouldn’t connect Trace Adkins? ‘Honky Tonk Badonkadonk? to their most memorable sports moment; but, for Becky Barnhart the country song will remain the soundtrack to her World Championship Title.
Returning to the National Appaloosa Horse Show and World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show for the second year, the 18-year-old Oxford resident and her 10-year-old Appaloosa mare, Mystery Signature, earned the title of English Showmanship World Championship. The duo returned home July 2 from the Oklahoma City competition.
While earning the title on her very first day of showing over 96 competitors, Barnhart continued to succeed throughout the week, earning top placings in showmanship, horsemanship and pleasure classes.
‘I honestly couldn’t believe it,? Barnhart said when she heard of her placings. ‘I couldn’t help but be happy.?
Although she was content with her world championship, she and Gizmo, as her mare is known outside of the show ring, brought another title home to Oxford. After showing all week in the novice division, Barnhart found out that she had also earned Novice All Around Championship.
Not only did Barnhart and her family have two titles to take back on their 21 hour drive home; but, they also hauled back a brand new trailer which came with the all around championship.
While sitting with her friend Michelle Warda, Barnhart found out about the trailer when her mother called Warda and the Trace Adkins? ringtone went off. Although Barnhart was stunned to the point of being able to do nothing more than stare, her mom knew they were bringing it home all along.
‘We decided about midway through (the 2005 show) to go back this year and bring home the trailer,? said Marilyn of her plans of bringing home the trailer since last summer. Although she said it may sound over confidant, she said she has always known Becky and Gizmo were a winning combination who were capable of doing anything.
‘In order to win you need to believe it is possible. We all believed in Becky and Gizmo’s ability to win.?
Becky’s father drove their truck to Oklahoma with a trailer hitch.
Although she has support from her parents and younger brother Brian now behind her, Barnhart did not always picture herself in the show ring. Gizmo was purchased six years ago to do nothing more than be a trail horse.
‘There wasn’t anything to work for. I’m too much of a competitive person to not work towards something,? Barnhart said of her reason to try competing.
Gizmo and Barnhart went to their first show her sophomore year in high school and haven’t looked back yet. Both became members of the Oxford High School Equestrian Team the same year as their first show, earning the District Championship each year. Barnhart finished her time on the team as captain her senior year.
Barnhart is debating taking a break for the rest of the summer from showing after her great success and concentrate on the future.
Aside from attending Oakland University, Barnhart also plan on breeding Gizmo in February, although the stud is yet to be decided.