Brad and Mindy Barkemeyer have each enjoyed heaps of success in the western show circuit, and now they are the proud parents of a AQHYA World Champion. 13-year-old Bryce Barkemeyer earned a resounding victory in the Boxing class at the AQHYA Boxing World Championship in Oklahoma City earlier this month, competing on a horse one year his senior, "Toby" (FS Smart Boomer Chic). We caught up with Barkemeyers to learn more about Toby and what it takes to be a world champion.
Q: Well, tell us about Toby. What's his story?
Bryce Barkemeyer: Toby had been around our family for a few years before becoming part of it. A customer of ours purchased him from good friends and fellow trainers Brandon and Sophie Buttars, where he had a successful career in the non-pro. He was in training, as our client Larry Lommen showed him in the amateur boxing and down the fence.
Last December, the Lommen’s made the decision to gift Toby to me. In the short time we have been a duo we have been Circuit Champions at the Arizona Sun Circuit, NRCHA Stallion Stakes Reserve Youth Champion, NRCHA Derby Reserve Youth Bridle Spectacular and 13 and under Champion, AQHYA Boxing World Champions and 13 and Under World Champion.
Q: What is Toby's personality like?
BB: He is the same everyday. When he comes out of his stall he is all business. Toby likes to come out do his job get his pat on the neck, a bath, a cookie and get put away.
He has started a tradition of bucking someone off once a year, and man can he buck! Last year it was my mom, then two weeks before we left for the youth world show he bucked me off.
Team Barkemeyer: Bryce, Brad, Mindy and Zane