What I’m Grateful For This Year - 2025
What I’m Grateful For This Year — As a Rider & As a Small Business Owner
As Thanksgiving approaches, I’ve been reflecting on this past year — as a rider, a business owner, and someone who is continually humbled by the support, encouragement, and community surrounding me and River Runs Show Pads. This year has been full of meaningful moments, unexpected wins, and growth I’m incredibly grateful for.
✨ Grateful as a Rider: A Show Season I’ll Never Forget
Some of my favorite shows every single year are the OMIQHA shows. They are run so well, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the exhibitors are always taken care of. The meals and food provided by their generous sponsors make such a difference — anyone who shows knows how quickly eating out can add up. Their numbers are always strong, the classes are competitive, and the entire experience keeps me excited to return. I cannot wait to continue showing with them throughout the 2026 season.
This show year brought some memorable moments of my riding career with Mazie.
Level 1 East Championships
We achieved top 5 placings in both the Walk/Trot Amt. Hunter Under Saddle and Equitation.
Equitation is a challenging class for me — I didn’t grow up doing it, and learning my diagonals has been… a journey! For the longest time, I would “cheat” in Hunter Under Saddle before switching to Eq. But this year I pushed myself to truly learn, and even though my right diagonal still tries to humble me, I loved our Level 1 pattern. Starting with a sitting trot to the right diagonal.
All American Quarter Horse Congress
This fall brought moments I’ll remember forever.
The first class I showed in was Walk/Trot Amt. Horsemanship — a brand new class for both Mazie and I. Out of 48 horses, we made the finals and finished 17th overall. I was thrilled with that. Starting something new is never easy, and Mazie stepped up beautifully.
Then came Walk/Trot Amt. Hunter Under Saddle.
Last year we were NSBA Champions and Reserve AQHA Champions. This year the class was stacked with talented horses, and we were honored to make the callbacks. In the finals, the announcer didn’t call placings judge-by-judge like they did last year, so there was no hint of where we stood.
20 finalists… numbers being called… not mine yet… down to the top three.
The rider who earned the Bronze is someone I show with here in Ohio — an amazing rider on a beautiful horse. Standing next to her in that moment felt special enough.
Then it was down to me and one other. I was fully expecting to hear my number called for Reserve again.
But then… it didn’t.
I was the last horse on the rail.
AQHA and NSBA Congress Champion.
In the Hunter Under Saddle.
With my girl, Mazie. 🤎
It was one of those moments of “we actually did this.” Having my teammates and family at the end of the arena there to celebrate made it even more meaningful.
A few hours later, we went in for Walk/Trot Amt. Equitation. Not my strongest class, but Mazie tries her heart out every time, and I was proud to lay down a clean pattern with correct diagonals. We made the callbacks, went back in, and again — it came down to me and one other rider. She was absolutely lovely and brand new to her horse, yet she rode beautifully and earned her win. I was honored to stand beside her and proud to earn Reserve AQHA and NSBA Champion.
The People Who Make It All Possible
I am endlessly grateful for:
- My barn family, family and friends for the support all season
- My trainer, Riley, for being encouraging and supportive
- Arthur, for keeping Mazie’s feet in top condition
- Dr. Meer with Highwater Veterinary Services, for making sure Mazie is always feeling and performing her best
- Hannah at Muscle Memory Equine Services, for the massage work that keeps Mazie comfortable and happy
I ride the horse — but it truly takes a team to make moments like these possible.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue Mazie’s journey next year, moving up into the three-beat classes and competing in the Level 1 Amt. division. It’s going to be another season full of learning, growth, and hopefully more unforgettable moments in the show pen!
✨ Grateful as a Business Owner: River Runs Show Pads
River Runs has had an incredible 2025 year — and that is entirely thanks to you.
This year we saw significant growth, with our overall sales increasing by just over 20% compared to this time last year. That level of growth means the world to me, and it tells me that our pads, designs, and mission are resonating with riders across the country.
New Milestones This Year
- We expanded into two new wholesale partnerships — one in New York and one in Minnesota.
This was a huge and exciting step for the brand, and we hope to continue adding more tack stores throughout 2026. If you're reading this and are interested in carrying our products, fill out a form to apply on our wholesale page at riverrunsshowpads.com, we'd love to have you apart of our team! - We launched our first contoured performance pad, which then reached the roping pen! Even though we currently have limited styles, we are expanding this line with several new designs arriving in 2026.
- Our ranch pad selection is growing!
I’ve been working hard behind the scenes, and I’m thrilled to share that four brand-new ranch pad designs will launch in January 2026.
We plan to release a few new performance pad styles throughout next year as well.
Expanding Our Rental Program
We also grew our small but mighty Rental Program this year.
Our rentals made appearances at:
- Level 1 East
- AQHYA World Show
- The All American Quarter Horse Congress
We will continue expanding this program in 2026, and exhibitors can now submit their own show clothing to be listed for rent through us.
If you have high-quality pieces you aren’t currently using and want to earn some extra money from them, we handle everything — marketing, customer communication, shipping, contracts, scheduling etc. and you simply earn once your item is rented.
With that being said, we are gauging interest in adding high end hunt coat's to the rental program. Share your thoughts with us on that, would this be something you'd be interested in?
If you’re interested in renting with us, or sending your own pieces to be included in our rental program we’d love to hear from you! Just shoot us a message on Facebook and we’ll walk you through the process.
When it comes to renting show pieces, the earlier you reserve, the better. Early booking guarantees that the jacket or outfit you want will be secured for your show dates. We currently have a very limited inventory as this program is just getting started, so we highly recommend locking in your rentals as soon as possible.
✨ Giving Back: Supporting Equine Organizations Across the Country
One of the things I’m most proud of this year is how much River Runs Show Pads was able to give back to the horse community.
In 2025, we supported 71 different equine organizations through donations, sponsorships, awards, and gift certificates.
These organizations represented a wide variety of associations and disciplines — including AQHA, APHA, Pinto, Buckskin, Walking Horse organizations, Ranch Horse Circuits, NRHA, open shows, local fairs, futurities, and many others.
Our support reached associations all across the U.S., including:
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Florida
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
- Nebraska
- Maine
- Michigan
- South Dakota
- Oregon
- California
…and many more.
And of course, we proudly supported as many Ohio associations as possible — including (but not limited to):
NOQHA, EOQHA, OQHA, OQHYA, BWHA, OMIQHA, OSBSA, TETWPHS, OPHC, CORHA, ORHA, MOWHA.
Giving back is something I take seriously. These associations shape our industry, support our exhibitors, and create opportunities for riders at every level. They allow us to do what we love, show our horses. Being able to contribute to their success is something I’m deeply grateful for, and I look forward to supporting even more programs in 2026.
If you know of any associations looking for sponsors or donation, messages us.
✨ Looking Forward to 2026
With new designs, expanding wholesale opportunities, a growing rental program, and continued support from all of you, I’m excited for what the new year will bring.
Thank you for riding this journey with me.
Thank you for supporting my small business.
And thank you for allowing River Runs Show Pads to be part of your show experience, it’s an honor I never take lightly.
🎉 Giveaway Alert!
To celebrate this season, we’re giving away a free custom show pad! Design it yourself, and we’ll make it just for you. Entries are open until November 25th, so make sure you get yours in for a chance to win! You can enter on our Facebook and Instagram.
Now that I’ve shared what I’m grateful for this year, I’d love to hear from you: what are YOU thankful for in 2025? Drop a comment, share a story, or send me a message, I can’t wait to hear your highlights from the year!
Wishing you all a warm, happy, and safe Thanksgiving season!
🤎 Rachael