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Jan. 11, 2013

AUBURN, Ala. -

Auburn Equestrian graduate succeeds in different venue
By Lindsay Portela

Auburn equestrian graduate Chelsea Anheuser was a successful member of Auburn’s 2008 Hunt Seat National Championship and 2010 Southern Equestrian Championship teams before graduating in August 2010. She was a staple in the Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat lineup during her time on the Plains and an important contributor to both championship teams.

Since graduating, Anheuser has found success competing on a different horse show circuit. After leaving Auburn, she began riding and showing horses on the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) circuit. Anheuser competed in her first APHA World Show this past fall and took home Reserve World Championship honors in the Preliminary Working Hunter Class. Auburn Equestrian caught up with Anheuser as she reflected on her journey to the APHA World Show.

Q: What sparked your interest in getting involved with the APHA?
CA: “After I graduated from Auburn in August of 2010, I started riding and training a few horses for their owners back in my home town of Alpharetta, Ga. Blue ("Reo's Blue Eyed Summer") was one of the horses that I started riding and training. One of the agreements I had with his owner was that we would show throughout the show year at the Hunter shows to get him experience and also prepare to take him to the APHA World Championship Show in November 2012 in Fort Worth, Texas. Needless to say, I agreed. It was something I had never done before, had no experience in, but was excited and grateful to have the opportunity to do so.”

Q: How long have you been competing on the APHA circuit?
CA: “The APHA World Championship Show was the first and only Paint show I have been to thus far. It was a very different experience given that there are so many disciplines and classes going on at one time in one show. If the opportunity arises again though, I would be more then delighted to attend another.”

Q: Competing at APHA World Show is a great accomplishment. How did you feel after winning?
CA: “The Preliminary Working Hunter class was the first class we went into at the show. Also, I had not shown or ridden Blue since mid-September. With that being said, I was very nervous, so winning Reserve World Champion in that class felt amazing. I am so proud of Blue and am very happy to have been able to place that well for his owners. Not showing horses all the time like I used to do growing up and having graduated from the Auburn University Equestrian Team more than two years ago makes winning that much more special.”

Q: Do you plan on continuing to show on the APHA circuit?
CA: “If I have an opportunity to go to another APHA show, especially the World Championship Show, I would absolutely show again. Currently though, I do not have a future plan to attend a Paint show.”

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