A trainers first Championship win at the US Nationals is always a memorable event, but for Scottsdale trainer Rene Ramirez, his first National Championship ride was also on a horse that he bred— Tooskandalous RT! Owned by Rainie Kuchynka, this dynamic black bay mare is sired by HA Toskcan Sun+ and out of the Renai registered mare, Topline, whose pedigree is a blend of American Saddlebred and Dutch Harness Horse.
That their win was in the AEPA Saddle Seat HA/AA Futurity was no mean feat given the depth of quality in the class—several horses having been winners in the 2020 National HA/AA English Pleasure Futurity. In fact, last years National Champion in that class—Hey Siri VF ridden by Jessica Clinton had the highest score in the pattern portion of the class held on Wednesday. Second highest score was given to Toskcan Paradise ridden by Victor Botha, with Rene and Tooskcandalous in the middle of the field.
The scores from the pattern class determined the horses that advance to the final, but when the gate went open on Friday afternoon it was anyone’s class to win, and Rene and “Scandalous” were definitely on fire being the top pick on two of the three judges cards!
Just how memorable was Rene’s ride on Tooskcandalous? Well Maegan Freisen (of the powerhouse breeding program Wunderbar Arabians in Saskatchewan) came up with the super cool idea of having people post their favorite performance at the show, with the proviso that you have to share the ride of someone with which you have no personal connection. Not surprisingly, Rene’s Championship win in the 2021 AEPA HA/AA Equine Athlete National was mentioned more than once!
Congratulations to Rene Ramirez and everyone in the class!
Reserve Champion Toskcan Paradise ridden by Victor Botha
Top Ten: Trust Me Ican Dance ridden by John Golladay, The Grand Illusion ridden by Gabe DeSoto, I Love Luci ridden by Shan Wilson, Hey Siri VH ridden by Jessica Clinton, Contessa SMP ridden by Ryan Strand, ROL On Cloud Nine ridden by Dalton Budd, Tiket to Ride and Joshua Shino and Whoz That Girl ridden by Shawn Rooker.