Without Question and Madison Arani (Anne Gittins Photography)

Wellington, FL - Madison Arani, of Dover, MA, piloted Without Question to tricolor honors during the final day of competition for week nine of the FTI WEF. The pair was champion of the Pine Hollow Low Children's Hunter 2'6" Division after placing first over fences on day one followed by second place finishes under saddle and over fences day two. Reserve honors went to Sweet Addiction, owned by Sarah Sturges and ridden by Haylee Jerkins. Jerkins and Sweet Addiction were sixth over fences on day one followed by a third place finish under saddle and a blue ribbon over fences on day two.

Without Question, a 17-year-old Bayerisches mare owned by Ponies & Palms Show Stables, LLC, has been Arani's beloved partner for the last three years. "She was a big time show horse [before I leased her] but then she was hurt. We decided it would be worth a shot to try her [for less demanding divisions] and it worked out! It's our third year leasing her and she's just the best," Arani explained.

Without Question happily settled in to her new career path with Arani, who has competed her in 3' divisions until recently. "As she's gotten older, it got to be a little too much for her so we stick to the 2'6" divisions. But she's always happy to go in the ring," Arani commented.

Arani appreciates Without Question's forgiving and constantly happy nature, which is one of many attributes to which she credits their show ring success. "You can go around and chip every jump and she'll still go around ears forward and happy. She's so easy to find the jumps on and she always jumps each jump the same," Arani described.

At age 12, Arani successfully juggles a full schedule of showing at FTI WEF and going to school. "It's definitely hard. We come down here on the weekends and sometimes do homework while we show. Then we leave Sunday night to go back to school, so it can be very hard getting up on Monday!" Arani smiled.

Arani's commute from New England to Wellington doesn't leave her with much prep time before she heads in the ring. "Since we're only down here for the weekends, I'm lucky to have such a great horse that I can just get on and she's perfect," Arani stated.

Without Question stays in Wellington year-round with Arani's other horses and her trainer, Leslie Emerson. Arani eagerly awaits the FTI WEF each year to reunite with her horses and fellow competitors. "I love coming to Florida to see my horses and enjoy the weather," Arani continued. "It's so nice to be here and exciting to down and see my friends I horse show with and to see my horses. It makes it even more fun!"

Arani's victory aboard Without Question marked the end of hunter competition for week nine of the FTI WEF, sponsored by The Bainbridge Companies. Week ten, sponsored by Horseware Ireland, runs March 13-17, 2013 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.