Ocala, FL – The final day of the 2025 Orange Blossom Classic wrapped up with the $25,000 NSBA Non-Pro Open Trail Challenge, capping off a fantastic week of competition. Quarter Horse competition will continue next week with A Sudden Impulse, running April 22-26 at WEC – Ocala.
On Easter Sunday, 25 entries gathered under the lights of the WEC Grand Arena to compete in the $25,000 NSBA Non-Pro Open Trail Challenge. Open to horses of all ages, the class welcomed back the top 10 horse-and-rider combinations from this week’s Amateur, Youth, and Select NSBA Trail classes. In the end, it was Angela Wade who claimed the top spot aboard her longtime partner, A Soxy Dream (A Dream Remembered x Roxie Soxy).
Wade and the 2013 mare have formed a strong bond over the years. “Her name is ‘Sister’. I’ve had her since she was three years old. She is one of the most talented trail horses that I’ve ever been able to ride and this was a pretty cool showcasing of her raw talent.”
The duo navigated a technical trail course designed by Tim Kimura and built by Garry McAllister, earning a winning score of 244.50. Reflecting on the course, Wade noted, “I really like how they started with the slow work and then progressed and then slowed it down again. I think they did a really good job of creating a pattern that made the riders have to execute and have patience.”
“Showing here is incredible,” Wade added. “Being able to showcase your horse in this arena is really special. I think we should see more trail events like this. I love the fact that you get to mix the different age divisions and show against horses and people I typically don’t. It’s good for the industry and good for the exhibitors. It makes us better riders.”
Jeffrey Johns took home second place honors aboard Susan Johns’ 2017 stallion, Nothin But Nett (Machine Made x KM Hot Number).
Katie Kopf and her 2015 gelding, Two Ziplines (VS Flatline x Two Dips Of Zip), secured third place overall and also took home the Limited title.
$25,000 NSBA Non-Pro Open Trail Challenge Top Three Results:
1 A Soxy Dream, Angela Wade, Angela Wade
2 Nothin But Nett, Jeffrey Johns, Susan Johns
3 Two Ziplines, Katie Kopf, Katie Kopf