Angela McRae – Area 3 High Point All Around Amateur

Angela McRae and her 12-year old black gelding, Envious Trip (Bubba) are a familiar pair around the Area 3 and Ontario Quarter Horse circuits. Showing quarter horses since 14, Angela has won many all around and reserve all around awards, circuit awards and year-end awards with Bubba and her previous horse, Hill Of A Tabu (Bu). Angela became involved with horse showing when she was taking lessons with Mark and Lindsay Grice in 1993 and ended up going to a horse show to help out. She purchased her first show horse Bu, a few months later.

She has had many memorable horse show moments, but Angela highlights placing 2nd in 2005 to Sarah Black and Bu in the Versatility class at the Area 3 Futurity. Angela’s dad ended up helping Sarah switch tack and clothes in the class and for the rest of the summer, he went on and on about how Sarah won because he was on her team and not Angela’s. Angela has had some great results at the Area 4 Regional show, including winning Amateur Showmanship in 2005 and placing 2nd in Horsemanship this year. At the 2005 Congress, she placed 7th in Amateur Western Riding and at this past October’s Congress was 8th in Amateur Versatility.

Bubba is a super all-around horse. The pair show in Showmanship, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Trail and Western Riding and they also dabble in the English events. Plus, Bubba is quite a pole bender, placing 7th in the Pole Bending portion of Amateur Versatility at this year’s Congress. Western Riding is definitely Angela’s favourite event, but she also enjoys Horsemanship and Trail. This year she showed in Ontario, except for the Regional and the Congress.

Angela says that she’s had a lot of great help from trainers throughout her show career. In the beginning, she worked with Patti Carter and Rick Fleetwood. In the last few years, she had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time with Nancy Cahill and Michelle Tidwell. Currently, she works with Art O’Brien.

Angela and her mom, Jimima reside in Rockwood, 10 minutes east of Guelph. A year and a half ago, they sold their house in Toronto and moved to the 12-acre hobby farm. They have an Australian Sheppard – Oscar and two house cats – Stanley and Diesel. The barn is home to a cat named Thelma, Bubba, a 2-year old quarter horse gelding (Lionel) and a yearling Appaloosa filly (Sandy).

Angela recently started a new job – working in the office of McKee-Pownall Equine Services. When not showing or working, she spends most of her time around the farm. If they get a chance, her family heads to a NASCAR race. They are really into NASCAR racing and they try and watch it whenever possible.

Angela would like to thank her mom for her wonderful support. Both of her parents supported and encouraged her hobby over the years – making it their own as well. She would really like to thank the Black family and in particular Sarah Black. This year has had so many challenges and she says, “I don’t think I could have done it by myself – Sarah’s been my travelling partner and a wonderful friend.” She also thanks all of her friends (too many to mention names and not forget one) who have rallied around her this past year –there have been some great people who have really helped her through. In addition, thanks to all the trainers who have given her help over the years – specifically, Nancy Cahill and Art O’Brien.

Look for Angela and her yearling at some of the big Pleasure Futurities next year!! Best of luck in 2007 with your new horse project!!!