Appaloosa News Monthly – March 2022

Allison Philips Spotted at the NRCHA Champion of Champions

Alison and her leopard gelding, NU Grays Starlight, recently finished their first NRCHA Champion of    Champions show in Fort Worth, Texas.  They were one of two appaloosas at the entire show. 

You may recognize Alison as one of the ApHC Director for Territory I as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Appaloosa Ranch Horse Association.  We caught up with Alison right after she got back to find out more about her experience.

Alison bought Nugget as a three-year-old after seeing Jane Cairo’s stallion NU Circle N Sign at the World Show in 2018.  She knew she wanted a horse just like Hot Dog. She wanted a colored appaloosa that would be competitive on the ApHC circuit as well as  being able to compete against the Quarter Horses on the NRCHA circuit.  Roger Johnson found her the horse she was looking for and Alison brought Nugget home.  She said that it is the best decision she has ever made as he is good minded and incredibly broke. 

Alison started to show Nugget at her area NRCHA circuit in 2020.  She describes herself as an “all in” type of person.  Early into her showing at NRCHA shows she started to think about one day competing at the Celebration of Champion show.  In 2021, Alison and Nugget competed at the Eastern Derby and Snaffle Bit Futurity.  Their placings were good enough to land her a Top 5 berth in the Non-Pro 1k and a Top 10 berth in the Non-Pro 5k.  Non-Pro classes are based on how much winnings a rider has, and Alison knew that this year would be her last shot at riding in the Non-Pro 1k (she has won her way out of the division) and thought they might have a shot at the making the finals at the Celebration of Champions.