Aug. 7, 2012

Front page photo courtesy of The American Quarter Horse Journal

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Oklahoma City – South Carolina sophomore Sam Chiodo captured the world championship and Intermediate first place titles in showmanship at the 2012 Built Ford Tough American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show on Tuesday in Oklahoma City.

Chiodo showed her American Quarter Horse, Im A Natural Detail, who is a 2005 bay mare. Im A Natural Detail, sired by Last Detail and out of A Natural Attraction, was bred by Annette Opheim of Pickett, Wisconsin.

“This is a great win for Sam and a great moment for our program,” Gamecock head coach Boo Major said. “She is a terrific rider and we are all very proud of her for adding another championship to her riding resume.”

During her freshman season with the Gamecocks, Chiodo posted a record of 8-6 in Horsemanship along with two MVP’s. In her first collegiate ride last year, she picked up a win and an MVP against TCU on Sept. 30, 2011. She won her second MVP of the season on Feb. 25 as she defeated her Auburn opponent 74.5-70.5 as the Gamecock upset the No. 1 ranked Tigers, 12-6.

In the showmanship class, 196 entries competed for world champion honors. Chiodo and Im A Natural Detail received a prize package that included a custom-designed gold trophy, Montana Silversmiths buckle, specially designed logo jacket, courtesy of Cripple Creek Outerwear, a WeatherBeeta embroidered blanket, world champion patch, neck wreath and gold medallion.

The Intermediate awards program is designed to recognize exhibitors who have never placed in the top 10 at an AQHA world show in the particular class in which they are competing. Intermediate classes run as classes within classes, not separate ones. Intermediate exhibitor status is based only on an exhibitor’s lifetime, combined world show record, not on the number of points he/she has accumulated. An exhibitor does not have to make it to the finals of his/her class to be considered for an Intermediate award. Intermediate accomplishments will appear on the exhibitor’s and horse’s AQHA official record.

As the Intermediate first place winner in showmanship, Chiodo received an 8-inch clear globe in addition to a specially-designed patch that can be placed on a qualifiers jacket.

The Ford Youth World is the pinnacle event for American Quarter Horse exhibitors, ages 18 and under, around the world, who must qualify for the event by earning a predetermined number of points to compete in each of the classes representing halter, English and western disciplines. The 2,407 entries at this year’s event represent competitors from 49 of the United States, Canada, England, Sweden and Venezuela and are competing for 34 world championships. The show is being held August 3-11 in Oklahoma City at State Fair Park.

For more news from the Ford Youth World, visit www.aqha.com/youthworld