by Katherine O. Rizzo (first published in the February 2024 Equiery)
Many Maryland riders traveled across the country this year competing in Western national shows, bringing home top honors and year-end national rankings.
Matt Murphy of Boonsboro rode his own Long Trip Alone to the Limited Non Pro championship with the Eastern Pennsylvania Reining Horse Association. The pair were also Novice Horse Level 2 reserve champions and Novice Horse Level 3 reserve champions. Murphy’s successful season earned him a national ranking of fourth on the National Reining Horse Association World Rankings Limited Non Pro list. The pair earned $1,696.63 this past season.
Emily Schiavi of Havre de Grace found herself on two NRHA World Rankings lists this year with her own TR Olivertrash. The pair finished second in Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 and second in Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3 with total earnings for the season of $5,062.66.
Morissa Hall of Upper Marlboro earned multiple championships with the National Barrel Horse Association including Open 1D champion, Open 2D champion and Youth 1D champion. Hall was also NBHA’s Youth 1D reserve champion as she had success this season with two horses! Hall also competes with the Maryland High School Rodeo Association where she earned All Around Cowgirl honors as well as being named Barrel Racing champion, Pole Bending champion and Goat Tying champion for the 2022-2023 season.
