A Reining Fan Follows the Action to the Biggest Shows
Julianne W. Lowry loves reining. A lot.
She hasn’t been able to compete – doesn’t even have a horse right now – but she always watches the big events online.
She decided it was time to treat herself, so she made a date for a little show in Las Vegas.
“I put it on the calendar and said, ‘It’s time to just do something,’” Lowry said.
The Run for a Million was spectacular, she said.
Lowry grew up showing horses in 4-H and always enjoyed breed shows.
“I’ve done a bit of everything,” Lowry said. “Except I haven’t really gotten the chance to ride the true dedicated reiner.”
While that goal simmers, Lowry decided to take in another little horse show – this one in Lyon, France – the NRHA Euro Derby at Equita
“I said, ‘I’ve got a passport. Let’s go!’ It’s a different culture,” she said. “Much more laid back.”
She especially enjoyed the live scoring, where the scores came in one judge at a time.
“Everybody gets excited about it,” she said. “It kicks it up another notch.”
Lowry met some NRHA staff members at Equitana, even charging her phone at the NRHA booth. They encouraged her to check out the sights at the NRHA Futurity and Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships.
So she came from her home in Ohio to Oklahoma City to enjoy the thrilling action of some of the best 3-year-old reiners in the world.
So far, it has been a blast. She doesn’t have more major events on her calendar – yet.
“I’m flying by the seat of my pants right now,” the preschool teacher said.
Lowry, who dreams of a reining horse of her own, was last seen clutching an NRHA Markel Futurity Sales catalog. She might be taking home more than memories from Oklahoma City.
