10/08/2026
Our team had an unforgettable weekend at the Pacific NW Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show at Bello Acres in Auburn, WA! We brought 4 horse-and-rider pairs to this wonderful all-Thoroughbred celebration, and they absolutely swept the field.
The mornings started out foggy, but by afternoon the sun came out to reveal gorgeous show grounds and incredible views of Mt. Rainier. We extend our deepest gratitude to Emily Wilmot, who poured an incredible amount of energy into this event and truly helped us get in gear to make it happen. We also owe a huge thank you to our fantastic trainers, Ruel Johnson and Tara Johnson, who helped make these incredible results possible!
Here are the highlights from the weekend:
Marissa Pickering & Wheel Rally (Riley) – Had a truly dominant show! Marissa was named Grand Champion Junior Rider, Reserve Champion War Horse, High Point Junior English Rider, High Point Champion 2'3", and High Point English Equitation Junior Rider. Together, they brought home 5 blue ribbons and placed in 10 other classes, including Trail, Pleasure, Equitation, Jumper, and Halter. Riley even had time to stop by a leadline class to carry Lumi!
Natalie Fincher & Madame Rouge (Freya) – Natalie’s impressive rescue mare shone incredibly brightly in Trail and won the 2' jumping course, ultimately earning top honors as the High Point Champion 2' Rider and Equitation winner. They also placed in 8 other classes, including Trail, English Pleasure, English Equitation, and Jumper.
Laura Sinclair & Tiz I Is (Flint) – This magnificent 19-year-old War Horse proves age is just a number! He won Halter Senior Horse and placed in the 2' and 2'3" Jumper, English Pleasure, English Equitation, and Trail classes. He continues to thrive in his second career with Laura, taking home the very prestigious 2026 Chinook Pass award and the Mint Julep Award for Horse With Most Wins.
Susanna Evens & First World Problem (Emma) – Made her stellar away-from-home debut! Emma placed in every single class, won a Pleasure class, and stayed perfectly calm with Susanna for her very first trip away from the farm where she grew up.
We are so proud of how well everyone represented our barn and showcased the incredible versatility of the Thoroughbred breed. Thank you to our trainers, riders, horses, and all the wonderful families who came out to cheer on and support the team!
