Lila tells us it’s hard to pick a favorite class to show Willow in, but if she had to pick- either the trail or showmanship. “She’s so smooth and pretty over the poles, plus she’s broke enough at trail where you can just point her at an obstacle and she’ll do it. In the showmanship, Willow’s so in tune with me, making it a super fun class to show.”

“We missed the 2022 APHA World Show because of an illness. Pulling into the 2023 APHA World Show was a “win” in itself!”

In 2022, Willow had been hospitalized with severe Arytenoid Chondritis, a deadly inflammation of the cartilage that covers the opening to the trachea. Her chances of survival were low. Vets told Lila and her family, if Willow lived, she would most likely never be able to be shown again. After a lengthy stay at Michigan State University, followed by six months of a heavy regimen of antibiotics, rest at home, and by a miracle, she not only survived…Willow returned to almost 100% performance capacity!

“We were so happy to be able to be at the 2023 APHA World show, on top of that we had an awesome show!” 

The miracle team won World Champions in the Novice Youth Western Pleasure and Champions in the Youth Ideal Western. They captured the Reserve World Champion in the Novice Youth Trail, Novice Youth Horsemanship, Youth Tobiano Color, and Reserve Intermediate Champions in the 18 & Under Showmanship.

“It felt like a miracle comeback. Six buckles and six neck ribbons.”