With her 2002 gelding Tecoolest Conclusive, or TC, Haseldon won both North Carolina and Virginia yearling futurities. The gelding was not only pinned yearling champion at his last 13 shows on the AQHA circuit, but also was grand circuit champion in both open and amateur divisions at Raleigh and Lexington, Va.
Haselden and her star youngster qualified for both the AQHA Congress and the World show, but skipped the Congress because her trainer, Gene Parker of Orrem was judging.
Haselden earned top honors in the N.C. Quarter Horse Association in the yearling halter division and the 2-year-old halter division with another horse, How Dee Credible.
Haselden rode as a youth, but took a 20-year “sabbatical” from horses.
“My husband and I thought we’d get a couple of horses to plug around on,” Haselden said. “I had some surgery that made it uncomfortable to ride, so I started showing halter, and loved it. It’s similar to a dog show, except it’s horses.”
Haselden keeps several broodmares at her farm near Pinehurst, but the show horses stay with the trainer during the show season. “They fit and prepare them, so when I go to the show he’s ready to go,” Haselden said. “Nothing is left to chance, the grooming is phenomenal. It’s all very regimented. Every day they are exercised, groomed, bathed and neck sweated.”
The modern halter horse, Haselden explained, is not the chunky type of years ago. “They are chiseled and refined, all muscle and not fat.”
Haselden said the halter horses are not ridden, but exercised by ponying (leading from another horse) or worked from a four-wheeler or golf cart.
“They are judged on appearance and tracking, they walk, trot, line up and stand up. It’s a lot of fun, especially with the young ones. There are always new horses (to compete against) at every show, and every day is a different show, with different judges.”
Haselden is anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new foal due this month, to add to her string of beauties.
“We’re hoping one of these babies will be another futurity prospect,” she says.
