by Gayle Johnson
Tracy Conrad has made a name for herself as a top shelf photographer, with a knack for catching the true emotions of a moment. Her backdrops, props and set ups are awe inspiring and exceptionally creative.
In talking with several of her photo-shoot clients, it has been said that Tracy is also blessed with a natural and laid back way of making people comfortable, even with little people who may want to be doing anything but co-operating. “Within minutes of meeting Tracy you feel like you have known her forever.”
This is the Tracy Conrad most of us are familiar with.
Something many of us did not know was that Tracy and her husband Korey have had two of their miniature geldings take the top awards at AMHR National Show, the largest show of its kind.
AMHR is an acronym for American Miniature Horse Registry with their National Show also including the American Shetland Pony Club, and the American Show Pony Registry.
The Conrad’s have shown miniature horses and shetlands since their children were young, (and the baby of the family is now in grade 12).
According to Tracy; “The kids were always given a choice between going to Disney World or going to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and attending the AMHR National Show. They always chose Tulsa”.
Last fall the couple headed back to Tulsa, but this time it was more than just attending the AMHR National Show.
“We haven’t attended since pre-COVID, so the visit was also about reconnecting with old friends.”
A few things have changed since the last time the couple had attended this event, including using a trainer to work with their animals, given “there just weren’t enough hours in a day anymore’ for them to train their beauties on their own. ‘Working with SS Show Horses has been the best decision ever!”
Being in Tulsa, enjoying the festivities and reconnecting with friends was great, but when competition time came it was like a dream. Their spectacular mini, Bandido’s Paint the Town, affectionately called Little Bubba for short, exceeded any expectations they had, walking away with top honours:
* Bandido’s Paint the Town – 2024 Weanling Gelding
* 2024 National Champion Futurity Weanling Stallion/Gelding- Under
* 2024 National Champion Weanling Gelding, 28-30”
* 2024 National Junior Champion Gelding, Under
* 2024 UNANIMOUS National Grand Champion Gelding, Under
The first time the couple had one of their geldings take the National Grand Champion award was a few years ago when the entire family headed down to Tulsa (with their tiny newborn who will be graduating grade 12 in the spring of 2025) and their mini gelding ‘Chico’.
That year, Chico took home the National Grand Champion Gelding award.
Wins like this speak volumes as to the quality of the horses in the Conrad stable.
What is next for this amazing couple?
Tracy shared that they are now in a transition period saying, “I don’t know. We are just really enjoying our lives and what we are doing.” Their last child will soon be off on the next step of his journey after graduating high school in the spring.
“Do we stay in mini horses, and if we do, how are we going to do it all? We have been mini horse breeders for years and this year our weanling gelding, Bandido’s Paint the Town, was shown in the Nationals, doing better than I ever could have imagined! Really, we are just enjoying our lives and what we are doing.”
And with that, Tracy was off and running, getting ready for a scheduled photo shoot.
Whatever this amazing couple does it will be done with the grace and finesse that they tackle everything with.
Congratulations to Korey and Tracy!
