MQHA Member Spotlight: Rick Smith
Name: Rick Smith
Where are you from: I live in Albany, MO
How long have you been showing horses? I started showing horses when I was in Middle School. Started out barrel racing at all the local week-end shows A friend of mine that I barreled with had a pleasure horse so I got one also. Over time I switched to just showing in the Western Pleasure, started going to a few Quarter Horse Shows and now just show in AQHA approved shows.
How long have you been in Missouri? I was born in Missouri, graduated from Northwest Mo State and then moved to Texas. While in Texas I showed a lot of Paints. The Paint shows were huge then and there were a lot of them. I lived there for 16 years then moved back to my home town where my family lives.
What is your favorite horse show? NSBA World
What is your favorite event to show in? Western Pleasure
What is your favorite class to watch? Western Pleasure
Do you have any superstitions when you show? I personally don’t have, but bought a yellow shirt once several years ago and everyone told me not to wear yellow, so I stay away from that color shirt. They said I looked like a bumble bee, and that was before I got my Belly!!
Who is your all-time favorite horse? And why? WH Sudden Investment. She is a daughter of RL Best Of Sudden. She was so pretty, and I really liked her. I only showed her for a couple of years but put around 80 pleasure and performance halter points on her. I got her from Wayne Hembry. She was sold to a lady in Iowa, Wayne has her back and she is bred to Florida Georgia Line for a foal in 2022, I can’t wait!!
If you are not at a horse show, what would we find you doing? Riding or thinking about the next show!! I also teach the High School Sunday School class at our Church.
Do you have another job…besides taking care of your horses? I am Co-Owner of New Trails LLC. We are a care provider for individuals with mental health issues.
What is your favorite thing about MQHA? I enjoy all of the people you meet and the friends that I have made. I love visiting with everyone. I think that’s why I only do the Western Pleasure and the Performance Halter so I have time to run around and visit.
Favorite hobby besides showing horses? I really have no other hobbies other than showing horses. With work and showing there is not much time, or money, for anything else.
Favorite food? Steak
Favorite restaurant? Bar X here in Albany. No matter where you go they have the best steaks.
Favorite movie? Gone With The Wind
Favorite quote? John 3:16
What is your dream vacation? All expenses paid to NSBA World or Congress
What are you terrible at but love to do anyway? Sing
What is one thing on your bucket list? Win a Congress or NSBA World title.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you? I am an Ordained Minister.
One piece of advice you would like to share with exhibitors who are just getting started? Don’t give up or get intimated. Every time you go into the pen show like you have the winner and don’t stop working at getting better. BE A GOOD SPORT!!
If there is anything else you would like to share, please tell us! I am currently showing two horses this year. Lazy Sunday Drive, who has her AQHA & APHA papers. She won the Non Pro Color Western Pleasure Class at the Tom Powers. At the NSBA World she was second in the BCF 4-6 YO Non Pro Color Western Pleasure and third in the Amateur Color Western Pleasure. The second horse is I Broke The Internet. I won the Super Sires limited Non Pro Class at the Tom Powers, she was third in the Open 3’s with Erin Lieurance, and I was also third at the NSBA World on her in the BCF Limited Non Pro 3’s. She will be shown at the Championship Show in Ocala and the Quarter Horse Congress in various three year old events.
