Latest News

The Vokouns – A Family Affair

June 15, 2016 by admin

There’s nothing like bonding over an activity that the whole family can do together – showing horses happens to be something that husband and wife Dan and Cori Vokoun of Buckshot Farms, along with their twins Alex and Reagan, love to do. Their passion for showing was evident at this year’s Scottsdale Show where all four of them won championships. I loved that the whole family is involved with horses and decided to ask the matriarch of the family, Cori, more about their experiences showing.

BSF Elegance and Cori Sampson Vokoun winning reserve champion at the 2016 Scottsdale Show

SS: How long has your family been involved with horses? Has it always been Arabians?

Cori: We started with Arabians in 1986, which was out of pure luck. I wanted a horse so badly, so we asked around to friends we knew with horses and they happened to be Arabian horse breeders. The rest took off from there. We started breeding our own horses in 1994 and have been breeding every year since. Currently we raise Arabians, Half Arabians, and Quarter Horses. Dan, Alex, Reagan and I show, and we share horses and a variety of disciplines. We had a great Scottsdale this year, with all of us winning championships.

SS: Besides showing, how are horses apart of your daily life?

Cori: We ride for fun, especially the kids. They love to have what we call a “free day” where they can mess around and play on their horses. In addition to showing, we love watching the babies grow up, evaluating them at different stages, planning future breedings, etc.

Alex Vokoun and Tamar Black Label winning reserve champion at Scottsdale

SS: What is your favorite horse show memory?

Cori: In 2004, we had an English Pleasure filly, BSF Electra, that we had bred and brought to U.S. Nationals. She was barely ready and we almost didn’t bring her. Peter Stachowski agreed to catch ride her for us. I remember sitting in the stands with my parents waiting for the class to start and we had no idea if she was going to be the best or the worst in the English Pleasure futurity class. She came through the gate looking fantastic. She got better and better as the class went on and won unanimously! That class was so amazing because of the amazement, surprise, and joy we experience together in the stands. It was such a huge accomplishment for our family to breed a horse of that caliber, have her win, and watch it together.

BSF Electra and Peter Stachowski winning the 2004 US Nationals in Arabian English Pleasure Futurity

SS: Do you have any good luck rituals before showing?

Cori: In reining, I have a few. If my dad is at the show, he asks me, “Do you know the pattern?” It used to frustrate me, but now it’s just part of the pre-show ritual for good luck. If Dan and I show together, we tell each other “Shake and Bake Baby!” (A reference to the movie Talladega Nights)

Buckshot Dun It and Dan Vokoun at the Scottsdale Show

SS: What is your favorite Show Season garment?

Cori: My new reining shirts are great – they are perfect for both Arabian and NRHA shows.

My husband, Dan, loves his sand suede chaps. There’s a funny story about those. Patti called me one day and said “Dan’s chaps are ready.” I had no idea what she was talking about – apparently he ordered them and didn’t want me to know. I was so happy to learn the new boundaries in our marriage about Show Season… Just order whatever you want, no need to discuss it! They are really cool chaps, and look great. So, I ordered some for myself shortly after. We both get compliments on our chaps, especially at NRHA events.

I love my daughter Reagan’s new hunt coat. It is stunning.

BSF Savannah and Reagan Vokoun at the Scottsdale Show — BSF Savannah and Reagan Vokoun at Scottsdale

SS: What are your plans for the rest of this show season?

Cori: The kids will be in full force at Youth Nationals with a string of walk/trot horses. Dan and I will show in the fall at the High Roller Reining Classic, U.S. Nationals, and the NRHA Futurity. We will focus on pleasure horses at the Arabian shows and lots of Quarter Horse reining this year.

Thank you for letting Show Season be a part of your family’s journey and best of luck to Cori, Dan, Alex and Reagan the rest of 2016!

3 Ways to Get into Tiptop Shape for the Show Ring

May 2, 2016 by admin

It’s finally the best time of the year! Horse show season is in full swing and depending on where you live, you have probably shown your horse at least once. After hitting the show ring, you know what you need to improve upon and have started practicing for bigger shows like the Buckeye, regionals, and perhaps even the national level shows. Although you can’t replace spending time at the barn and actually riding your horse, there are other ways to prepare for the bigger shows – from personal experience, I believe that is working on your physical fitness. Your horse is already in great shape – why not get yourself into shape as well?

Lace up the Sneakers

Classes at the larger shows are always longer with more horses in them – it is paramount to increase your endurance. There’s nothing worse than feeling winded in your class when the judge hasn’t even called for the line-up yet. Whether it is taking a brisk walk during your lunch break to becoming BFF’s with the treadmill, aiming to do some sort of cardio 3-4 times a week will help drastically.

Pump Some Iron

Grab a pair of weights to help develop your muscle control and coordination. Strength training a few times a week will improve your posture and help you have a better seat in the saddle. Another thing to consider is that when you have better control of your muscles, your cues to your horse will also be more consistent ultimately creating a better performance.

Stretch It Out

Flexibility is more crucial to riding than you may realize. If yoga isn’t your thing, remember to stretch your muscles after a cardio or strength session since they will already be warmed up. Besides making you may limber, learning how to stretch properly develops your ability to relax and alleviate tension you may be feeling. Remember, when any anxiety you feel, your horse will as well.

Besides improving your health, knowing that you are feeling fit and strong will give you a major confidence boost. Being in tune with your body will also help you empathize with your most valued teammate – your horse! We hope that you have found these tips helpful and wish you the best of luck the rest of this season.

Sophie Yih – From Pony Parties to Roses

April 18, 2016 by admin

Youth rider Sophie Yih has been hooked on horses ever since she was five years old. It all started after attending a bunch of birthday parties for her classmates that included pony rides.

“The year Sophie started riding, it seemed to be the year of pony parties for other little girls in her class. She was invited to several pony parties that year and after she had her own birthday party she asked to ride again… and again… and again! So we decided to put her in lessons,” Sophie’s mom Cathy Yih said.

Sophie Yih looking adorable in her tux in Saddleseat Equitation in Scottsdale — Sophie Yih in the lineup in one of her Saddleseat Equitation classes at Scottsdale

Sophie then started taking lessons and eventually began showing in walk/trot with Stachowski Farms in San Marcos, CA. 2015 marked her last year of walk/trot and she had a wonderful year taking home championships at Region 1 and Region 2 as well as a reserve national championship in Purebred Country English Pleasure at Youth Nationals.

Sophie debuted in 14 & under at the 2016 Scottsdale Show with a bang. She took home the roses in PB Country English Pleasure JTR with her beautiful mare, Heiress TRGR. Besides showing in Country, she also shows in in PB English Pleasure, Saddleseat Equitation and UPHA. We love watching this young lady show and wanted to hear more about her experience at this year’s Scottsdale.

Sophie and Heiress TRGR winning the PB Country JTR 14 & under championship at Scottsdale

SS: How did you feel about the Scottsdale Show?

Sophie: I think the Scottsdale Show is the most fun horse show. I look forward to riding my horses in the classes because they are bigger with more people in them. I also like going shopping and riding in the golf carts!

SS: What was your most favorite moment of the show?

Sophie: My favorite moment was when they announced that my horse Heiress TRGR and I had won the championship class in Arabian Country English Pleasure JTR 14 & under.

SS: What is your favorite Show Season garment?

Sophie: I love what I consider my lucky combo. It is a blue, purple, and white tiny-checked shirt and a white paisley vest.

SS: What do you love most about your horse?

Sophie: My horse, Heiress, is a princess. When I feed her an apple I have to bite off small pieces, otherwise she won’t eat it!

Sophie posing with her championship plaque after her class in Scottsdale

We loved getting to know Sophie more and wish she and her horses continued success in 2016!

The Schimmels – It Runs in the Family

March 17, 2016 by admin

When someone mentions Prestige Farms LLC, you most likely think of the countless national winners they have bred, shown and sold. Aside from breeding some of the finest English horses, the Schimmel family has been a fixture in the Arabian horse industry for the past forty years. Each generation of the family is involved as this tight-knit clan is all about supporting each other inside and out of the show ring.

The youngest member of the Schimmels, Patience, learned how to ride when her grandpa Irwin started taking her to the family farm in Hillsboro, Oregon. It came naturally to her as she started riding on her own at just 3.5 years old. She began riding on a lunge line in a bullpen on one of the horses that her older cousins had shown, Cohiba Baby, and has learned a lot from that special mare. Just this last fall, Patience got her own horse, In Search of Diamonds (affectionately known as Rocky) to show in walk/jog.

Patience and her Grandpa at the 2015 Region 4 Championships — Patience and her grandpa at the 2015 Region 4 Championships

The 2016 Scottsdale Show was Patience’s debut into walk/jog from leadline at only 5 years old. Patience’s aunt, Theresa Schimmel-Spencer was thrilled at how the show went for her niece and how her wonderful horse, Rocky, took care of her.

“Patience improved so much by the end of the show! With the big arena full of people in the stands, it was easy for her to get distracted with all that was going on. Rocky was so well-behaved and did his thing – he is really special. By her last class, she was an old pro and had come so far,” Spencer said.

As for her Patience’s western outfit, Schimmel-Spencer loved how the contrast to Rocky’s pinto coat. “I loved how the bright red popped against Rocky – after we chose red, we gave Melissa free reign on the rest of the design,” Spencer explained. They were so excited about the end result.

Patience getting ready to show at Scottsdale

For the rest of 2016, Patience will show at the local shows around Oregon and Washington, Region 4, and hopefully Youth Nationals. They also hope for her to show saddleseat in the future. We wish Patience and the rest of the Schimmels the best of luck – thank you for letting Show Season be apart of the ride!

Show Season Rider Alexis Scott

May 1, 2015 by admin

Horse trainer and riding instructor, Alexis Scott, discovered her love for the Arabian breed early on.

“I have been riding and showing since the age of four,” tells Alexis. “My parents took me to our state fair and we were watching the horse show. We picked out the one Arabian in a class full of Quarter Horses. After the class we went up to the rider and she let me sit on her horse. I haven’t looked back since…”

“I think at that first moment it was that there was just something different about the Arabian. A kindness in his eye and a gentleness around people and children, different from any other horse at the fair,” she says.

Which is why, when Alexis’ parents approached Lyric Phillips for the first time about buying a horse and getting into showing, they were adamant about wanting an Arabian.

“That’s the approach I take with my clients today. For me, there’s just no other option as far as breeds are concerned,” Alexis explains.

Having won many titles on a regional, national, and even international level, Alexis has now dedicated herself to training others. In fact each one of her ‘kiddos’ came home with Top Ten honors from Youth Nationals last year.

“In my opinion it’s just as rewarding, if not more, for them to do well, as it is for me personally,” says Alexis.

Learn more about this talented equestrian in our Show Season exclusive –

Show Season: Describe your riding fashion style.

Alexis Scott: I like simplicity with a pop of color. Something that I know will look good no matter what I throw together. When you’re changing outfits on the fly it’s not practical to stand around and think about what’s going to go with what, so everything has to be interchangeable for me.

SS: What is your favorite head-to-toe riding outfit?

AS: I do love a good formal. There’s a feeling that goes with wearing one that you can’t really replicate. It’s probably a residual Equitation rider thing, but formals will always be my favorite.

SS: What is the one thing you never go in the ring without?

AS: Good undergarments!!!! They say that on the Red Carpet the most important thing is the undergarments under the dress, and I think that’s true for riders too. You don’t want anything bouncing around or riding up the wrong way when you’re in the middle of a class. It’s distracting and uncomfortable, and it reads on the rider when something is bothering somewhere that it shouldn’t be. I mean, it’s really hard to focus when you have a major wedgie. Seriously.

SS: How would you describe your non-horse show style?

AS: Pretty much the same as my horse show style. I like really easy stuff that I can just throw on and go. I don’t like having to browse around in my closet and think about what to wear. Everything goes with everything so I can just get dressed and get on with life.

SS: What has been your biggest accomplishment as a rider?

AS: The easy answer is defending the Gold Medal at the 2006 Saddle Seat World Cup, and it was definitely a tremendous honor to make that team and represent the US. However, I think even more satisfying than that is seeing my riders succeed in the show ring under my instruction. It’s always rewarding to accomplish something yourself, but when someone else is able to accomplish their goals because of my guidance, it takes the reward to a whole other level.

SS: What are your riding goals for the future?
AS: Well, I just found out last month that I’m expecting a little one, so for the immediate time being it’s getting through the show season without morning sickness and stretching my show clothes as far as I can. Long term, though, it’s getting all of my riders to the top. They all have a fire in their belly and a hunger for that rose blanket, so I’m looking forward to helping them facilitate their goals as riders. They all want it bad!

SS: Who has been the most influential in your riding career?

AS: Without question the person who has influenced me most, and still continues to do so, is Lyric Phillips. Her ability to tune in to a horse and rider is un-matched. She inspires me every day to be a better trainer, instructor, and mentor to my riders.