MQHA Member Spotlight: Griffin Holliday
Name: Griffin Holliday
Where are you from: I was raised near Troy, Missouri for the majority of my life however I moved to Centralia, Missouri about five years ago.
How long have you been showing horses? My parents have always shown halter horses so I have always been around them and started showing at a young age. I use to show my miniature horse in halter and leadline when I was little and I worked my way up and started showing a western all-arounder at 4-H and local shows. I began showing halter horses on the palomino circuit in 2016 and then leased a mare in 2018 to show on the palomino circuit. I have only shown AQHA since February of 2019 and I have enjoyed every minute of it.
How long have you been in Missouri? I have lived in Missouri my entire life.
What is your favorite horse show? My favorite horse show is for sure the Quarter Horse Congress!
What is your favorite event to show in? I love showing the showmanship with my mare and in college last semester, I did a little bit of the reining and loved it as well!
What is your favorite class to watch? Reining is my favorite class to watch.
Do you have any superstitions when you show? Right before I go into the pen, I tell myself that "I suck at showing horses, but I have to focus on one maneuver at a time”. Usually it works out really well as when I remind myself of that, I lay down a really good pattern.
Who is your all-time favorite horse? And why? My all-time favorite horse would probably be my all-around mare, Good N Plenty Gold. She has taught me so much inside and out of the show pen, allowed me to get my first AQHA point, and then took me to my first Quarter Horse Congress and allowed me to bring home and Congress champion title. I for sure would not be where I am in my riding ability without her. Besides my own horses, I am also a huge fan of Spooks Gotta Whiz, he is crazy talented and I love to watch him show as he has so much passion for his work.
If you are not at a horse show, what would we find you doing? You would find me out riding and working my horses, as well as eating and sleeping as much as possible.
Do you have another job…besides taking care of your horses? Outside of horses, I help my parents working with their portable toilet business, A & A Outhouses.
What is your favorite thing about MQHA? My favorite thing about MQHA is how welcoming everyone is. I am always meeting new people and really enjoy all the shows!
Favorite hobby besides showing horses? I like to adventure whether it be walking through the woods in my backyard or traveling across the country on vacation.
Favorite food? Mexican food and pizza.
Favorite restaurant? Any Mexican place.
Favorite movie? My favorite movie is either Tammy or any of the Madea movies.
Favorite quote? My favorite quote would be, “Small Victories” as this has helped me improve as if I am able to improve just a little bit each day, I will be a completely different rider a few months from now.
What is your dream vacation? I really enjoyed my vacation to Hawaii so I would for sure go back.
What are you terrible at but love to do anyway? Driving and singing, I find driving relaxing for me but I am awful at it and often run over things and then I love to sing but I was not given any musical talent at all.
What is one thing on your bucket list? I would really like to go sky diving even though I am afraid of heights.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you? I was in show choir when I lived in Troy and enjoyed every second of it.
One piece of advice you would like to share with exhibitors who are just getting started? Never stop learning!
