MQHA Member Spotlight: Becky Wood
Name: Becky Wood
Where are you from: La Monte, MO
How long have you been showing horses? I went to my first open show when I was 6, and I continued to show open and 4-H shows until I got my first Quarter Horse when I was 15. So, I’ve been showing for 30 years and a member of MQHA for 21 years.
How long have you been in Missouri? I was born in Sedalia, MO, and I’ve never lived outside of the state of Missouri. My husband and I live on a farm 10 minutes from the farm I grew up on.
What is your favorite horse show? All of them! I love showing horses anywhere.
What is your favorite event to show in? Trail. It’s always a challenge and I love that.
What is your favorite class to watch? Small Fry Horsemanship. I can’t describe how proud it makes me to watch my son Austin show our horse, Im The Best Cowboy.
Who is your all-time favorite horse? And why? The Radical Doctor. I don’t know that I will ever have another horse that has as much heart and personality as he does. Winning an AQHA World Championship in Amateur Trail with him was an indescribable feeling. Even though he is retired now, he still has a special place in our barn.
If you are not at a horse show, what would we find you doing? You would find me spending time with my two boys (Austin and Robby) and my husband (Brian). I’m happy doing anything with them.
Do you have another job…besides taking care of your horses? I’m the high school librarian and dual credit English teacher at Knob Noster High School.
Favorite food? Red velvet cake - the made-from-scratch one that my mom makes!
Favorite restaurant? Olive Garden (or as Austin calls it, Yellow Garden)
Favorite fun class at a horse show? Catalog Race. We used to have this at our local fun shows, and I am undefeated! In case anyone wonders what this is, there was a magazine on a barrel at the far end of the arena. The announcer would call out a number, and we would run our horse to the barrel, find the page, rip it out of the magazine, and run our horse back to the start. It was a timed event.
Favorite movie? Top Gun
Favorite quote? God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
What is your dream vacation? I would love to go to Hawaii or Nashville, TN.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you? I am one class away from getting my Specialist Degree in Learning Resources with an emphasis in Technology Education. If everything goes as planned, I will graduate in May of 2020.
One piece of advice you would like to share with exhibitors who are just getting started? Have fun! Sometimes we get so caught up in winning and getting points that we forget what this is really about.
