All for show: Bonnie Overbeck of Jackson shows her horses all over the country

Bonnie Overbeck has always loved horses, but her recent passion for showing them has led her to a very successful year.

"I had [horses] most of my life and showed them a little about 30 or 35 years ago," she says. "Then, I got back into it again in 2013."

Under the guidance and training of professional horseman Chris Arentsen of Trenton, Illinois, Overbeck and her American Quarter Horse, Telusive Tide, competed at several shows around the Midwest this past year, accumulating multiple Grand Champion titles along the way, including two titles at the North American International Livestock Expo in Louisville, Kentucky.

The high point for their season came at the American Quarter Horse Association Select World Championships in Amarillo, Texas. There, they finished sixth in their class as well as third and first in the Intermediate and Super Select divisions, respectfully.

A recent trophy Bonnie Overbeck won for showing her horses is displayed in the stable at Pecan Grove Farm in Cape Girardeau. (Glenn Landberg)

"Tide" went on to finish out the season with another trip to the AQHA Open World Championships in Oklahoma City, finishing seventh. By the end of 2013, Overbeck was leading the state for AQHA's Rookie of the Year, which she went on to win.

"Showing horses is just something I always wanted to do," says Overbeck. "I would go to the big shows when I was younger and think, man, wouldn't it be great to do that!"

A lot goes into preparing a horse to show, according to Overbeck. A professional trainer will fit the horse, which involves exercising the horse, sweating it out and keeping it fit.

"Then, you've got to get the horse clipped up and looking good," she says.

The show horses are judged on the horse's confirmation.

"It's things like how correct their physical makeup is for that exact type of breed," she says.

Overbeck credits a lot of her success to Tide's trainer, Chris Arentsen.

"I couldn't have picked a better trainer," she says.

Bonnie showed Telusive Tide last year and won 6th place at the World Championships. (submitted photo)

She returned to the show ring in late August in Amarillo with a new horse, a weanling colt named Chilling"A friend of mine is showing Tide this year," says Overbeck. "I've quit showing him and we are slowing down his schedule."

Overbeck, who is 72 year old, grew up near Belleville, Illinois. She then lived in Coulterville, Illinois, before moving near Jackson, Missouri, where she currently resides. She is widowed from her husband, Carl, to whom she was married for 16 years.

Before she began showing horses, Overbeck made a living showing sheep.

"I thought I'd start staying home and slow down some, but since I've started showing horses again, I'm running more now than ever!" she says.

Overbeck is thrilled with her choice to show horses at this stage of her life.

"I've always loved being around horses, and I've met some of the greatest people," she says. "Last year was the greatest year of my life."