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2021 High Point Horse of the Year: Backwoodz Bad Girl

   Backwoodz Bad Girl has been a very good girl. The 2014 mare owned by Gena and Bucky Bonner, was the ACHA Open Champion horse for 2021 with Trent Bell showing, and she contributed to Bell being named the top Open rider of 2021. The mare’s combined Open points with fourth place in the Non Pro for owner Gena Bonner clenched the ACHA 2021 Horse of the Year award.  Yes, Backwoodz Bad Girl has been a very, very good girl.

   Backwoodz Bad Girl was purchased by Gena and Bucky Bonner in January, 2021.  Trainer Trent Bell said the mare just kept getting better and better as the show year continued. Her new owners were thrilled.

   “I just wanted to buy a horse to make Gena happy,” Bucky said. “We never dreamed the mare would wind up as Horse of the Year.”

   Her new horse exceeded expectations for Gena as well. Gena had been concerned that she could not be competitive showing in the Non Pro due to her own lack of experience at that level. It was a tight race among the Non Pro competitors, and Gena’s final position in the standings did not come easily, but she achieved her goal of making the top five in her first year showing in the Non Pro.

   Backwoodz Bad Girl is by Auspicious Cat and out of Backwoodz Barbie by Zack T Wood. At the beginning of the 2022 point year, she had $18,333 in ACHA earnings and lifetime earnings of $48,628.

   Bell plans to continue to show her in the Open, but the focus now will be on Gena showing more in the Non Pro and other classes. Bell says, “This is Gena’s year.”

   The petite sorrel mare consistently gives her all in the show pen. For example, Backwoodz Bad Girl marked the highest score in the fall ACHA Extravaganza with a 77 in the Open. Bell says the best thing about the mare is her consistency. He added that she is not impacted by being a mare. “She acts like a gelding,” he added.

   According to both Gena and Trent Bell, Backwoodz Bad Girl is easy to ride. Bell says she is simple to keep ready to show. He calls her the “station wagon” because she is so dependable. He says they turn her out at home, and she is not a problem at all.

   The mare is also enjoyable to ride out in the pasture just for pleasure, and quite gentle. Thirteen-year-old daughter Josie Bell favors the mare as one to ride at home. “Josie loves her,” according to Trent. 

   The mare has had three owners while in Bell’s barn. She had been given the barn name of “Gena” even before Gena Bonner owned her, but Bell says he does not know why that was chosen for her barn name. Nevertheless, it seemed destined to that the two Genas become a pair, and Gena and Bucky have no plans on giving their horse another home any time soon. What they are considering, however, is breeding her, with hopes of transferring or freezing an embryo.

   This gritty little mare shows no signs of slacking off. At the first ACHA show of this new point year, Gena showed her twice in the Non Pro. After several weeks off and only one preparatory work on the flag before the show, the pair marked a 72 and 74, earning points and checks both days to kick start the new year.

   Even though Gena is the one who shows Backwoodz Bad Girl, there is plenty of help and support from Bucky. Bell says, “Bucky loves that mare. They take good care of her. They appreciate her, and I like that.”

   Looks like the frequent trips to the pay window will continue for Gena and Bucky’s mare. After all, Backwoodz Bad Girl is not a bad girl at all.

Congratulations to the 2021 World Champions

Open
Backwoodz Bad Girl
Owners: Gena & Bucky Bonner
Rider: Trent Bell

Non Pro
Bobbie Sue Shore

50,000 Non Pro
Janie Crumpler

Senior Non Pro
Martha Wilson

Junior Youth
Toby Combs

Senior Youth
Dually Husband

15,000 Novice Horse
Bunnys Passion
Owner: Circle C Livestock
Rider: Trent Bell

15,000 Novice Horse / Non Pro
Hot Sheila
Ridden by Laney Bell

20,000 Non Pro
Janie Crumpler

3000 Novice Horse
CR Mr Peppys Mambo
Owner: Craig Robinson
Rider: Michael Crumpler Jr

2500 Novice Rider
Ryan McGilvray

1000 Novice Rider
Ryan McGilvray