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COMING TOGETHER
Emme Graves
After a season of learning one another, Emme Graves and FirstOneInLastOneOut head to the AQHYA World Show with confidence, perspective, and a partnership that’s just beginning to hit its stride.
When Emme Graves walked through the in-gate at the 2025 All American Quarter Horse Congress with FirstOneInLastOneOut, she knew she and Patrick were asking a lot of one another.
Emme is no stranger to powerful partnerships. Horses have been part of her life for as long as she can remember.
They had been partners for just three weeks. There had been little time to establish routines, learn each other’s tendencies, or develop the kind of trust that usually comes from months of riding together. Instead, they were making their debut on one of the biggest stages in the Quarter Horse industry.
She climbed aboard for the first time at four or five years old after following her older siblings to the barn. Her mother, Julie, grew up riding hunter jumpers, so horses were already a natural part of family life. Emme spent so much time playing around the arena that one day the barn owner finally gave her a choice.
“He has a lot of different buttons than anything I’d ever ridden,” Emme says. “It definitely took some time to figure each other out.” Their first class together was trail. “He spooked at everything,” she says with a laugh. “After that class, I wasn’t feeling very confident.” Then came horsemanship. “As soon as we started the extended trot from the first cone, I could feel that he knew we were showing. It was the best he’d been in those three weeks. That’s when I felt like he was with me.” It wasn’t a championship moment. But it was the moment Emme realized this partnership had potential.
“She told me I couldn’t keep playing in the sand unless I got on a horse,” Emme says, smiling. “So that’s really how it all started.” She began her career in the Paint Horse Association before transitioning to Quarter Horses three years ago. Throughout both associations, she gravitated toward the western all-around events, developing a passion for trail, horsemanship, western pleasure, western riding, and showmanship. Three horses helped shape the rider she is today. The first was Justa Machine, or Ziggy, who developed Emme’s love for western riding. The pair were reserve champions at the Congress in 13 & Under Western Riding. Trainer Jesse Jones won the Level 2 Western Riding at the Congress aboard Ziggy. Next, Emme piloted Over Infleeted, affectionately known as Larry. “He had really only done western pleasure when I got him,” Emme says. “My trainers taught him the all-around together. It was challenging at first, but we figured it out, and he gave me a lot of confidence.” Then came Son Of A Sudden, or Dez. Dez became the horse of her dreams, helping Emme earn a Congress Championship in 12-14 Horsemanship, a Reserve Championship in the 14-18 division, and Level 2 and Level 3 Halter championships at the AQHYA World Show. “I owe everything to those two horses,” she says. PREMIER | JULY 2026 | 57
OVER INFLEETED - “LARRY”
By the summer of 2025, however, Emme unexpectedly found herself without either of them. Though no longer owned by Emme, Larry passed away. Just a few months later, she lost Dez. Losing the two horses that had built her youth career was difficult. And for the first time in years, she was searching for a new partner. In September of 2025, Patrick entered her life at exactly the right time. Purchased from Patty Bogosh, the accomplished western all-around gelding had been Patty’s heart horse. Emme knew she wasn’t just buying another show horse; she was taking over the reins of a horse who already meant a great deal to someone else. “I’m just so glad to have him,” she says.
SON OF A SUDDEN - “DEZ”
The timing, however, wasn’t ideal. Just days after purchasing Patrick, Emme traveled to Baylor University for a campus visit, impacting her ability to ride and get to know her new partner at home. A week and a half later, they were on the road to Congress. It was a whirlwind introduction. “Every horse is different,” Emme says. “Everything about Patrick was different from what I was used to.” Rather than expecting instant success, Emme focused on learning Patrick and building a partnership that would carry them both into the next phase of their show careers. “Honestly, it just takes time to build a connection,” she says. “When I’m able to spend more time at the barn, it makes such a difference.” Now doing school online and riding five days a week, Emme has discovered that some of the most important moments happen outside the show pen. Grooming Patrick, spending quiet time together, and simply getting to know his personality have become just as valuable as practicing patterns. As their relationship has grown, so have their results. Earlier this year at the Sudden Impulse and Orange Blossom in Ocala, Patrick returned to one of the classes that had challenged them most during their first show together. The pair entered the $150,000 Non-ProTrail and demonstrated that time, patience, and persistence build strong teams. “He didn’t spook at all,” Emme says. “It was probably our cleanest pattern.” She laughs when she remembers the ending. “It was wonderful, but I actually went off pattern at the end.” Even so, the ride represented real progress and reflected how much trust the pair had built. It was also a testament to Emme’s down-to-earth approach to showing and taking setbacks in stride, even when the stakes are high.
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A few months later at The Celebration in Las Vegas, Patrick showcased another strength, carrying Emme to unanimous wins in Western Riding on back-to-back days. An accomplishment that Emme is proud of, not because of the points or awards. For her, it reflects the strength of the bond she’s built with Patrick in a short time. “The better our connection gets,” Emme says, “the better everything seems to come together.
FIRSTONEINLASTONEOUT- “PATRICK”
Like many horse girls, Emme admits it’s easy to compare one great horse to another. But she has learned not to. “People would sometimes tell me that Patrick was more talented than my last horse,” she says. “But I don’t think one is better than another. They each had things they were best at. I don’t like to compare because each horse has strengths. They are all unique and have all taught me a lot.“ Instead, she appreciates what each horse has brought to her journey. “I see parts of Dez and Larry in Patrick,” she says. “They’re all special.” That perspective has allowed her to embrace Patrick for exactly who he is, a talented horse with his own personality, his own strengths, and his own story. In the process, he’s also reminded her why she loves showing. “I had thoughts about quitting after Dez passed away,” she says. “But building a connection with Patrick has shown me a new love for the sport.” Emme also credits much of the partnership’s development to trainers Arturo Maestes and Jesse Jones, whose guidance has helped both horse and rider continue to grow throughout the past year. “They’re amazing,” she says. “They’re always there for me. They know when to push me and when I need encouragement. I love their coaching style.” With the right horse and the right team around her, Emme says she’s enjoying every opportunity to continue learning. Two years ago, she began a new endeavor, taking on the reining pen under the guidance of her cousin Lexi’s husband, Cade McCutcheon. She says, Although I am not currently showing the reining, they’ve taught me a lot and made me a better rider overall. In my first year riding with them, I qualified and showed at The Run for a Million in Vegas. It was an amazing experience, and I hope to do it again. I appreciate all their help and support in preparation for college, where I may compete in the reining.” While Patrick has become an important part of Emme’s journey, she’s quick to point out that none of it would be possible without the people cheering her on every step of the way. She credits
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“
My family has sacrificed so much for me to do this,” Emme says. “My parents have spent countless weekends at horse shows, traveled all over the country, and supported me through every high and low. I really couldn’t ask for a better support system.
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“
EMME WITH HER PARENTS, JEFF & JULIE GRAVES
her parents, Julie and Jeff Graves, along with her siblings, for their unwavering support throughout her riding career. “My family has sacrificed so much for me to do this,” Emme says. “My parents have spent countless weekends at horse shows, traveled all over the country, and supported me through every high and low. I really couldn’t ask for a better support system.” Whether they’re celebrating a championship or simply encouraging her after a tough ride, Emme says having her family in her corner has made all the difference. “They’ve always believed in me,” she says. “I’m incredibly grateful for everything they’ve done to help me chase my dreams.” Now, as the AQHYA World Championship Show approaches, Emme feels like she and Patrick are finally settling into their stride. Her goals are straightforward. She hopes to contend in the Level 2 western all-around classes, particularly Trail, Horsemanship, and Western Riding. A Top Five finish would be exciting, but more than anything, she’s focused on putting together the kind of rides she knows Patrick is capable of delivering. “I’ve been to Youth World twice, and I definitely get nervous,” she says. “I can get in my own head.” This year, she’s keeping things simple and focused. “I just want to have good rides. If I do that, everything else will take care of itself.”
EMME WITH HER DAD, JEFF GRAVES
Beyond Youth World, the future is equally exciting for Emme. The Dallas-area senior has verbally committed to Baylor University, where she plans to compete in horsemanship and reining while pursuing a degree in marketing or media. She’s looking forward to continuing her riding career while preparing for a future outside the show pen. She’s also preparing to debut It’s A Holiday, a promising three-year-old western pleasure mare purchased from Jay and Kristy Starnes. Jesse Jones will campaign the mare in the Open divisions while Emme plans to make her non-pro debut at the NSBA World Show. But first comes Oklahoma City. Less than a year after their first tentative rides together at Congress, Emme and Patrick will walk through another in-gate, this time with a season of experience behind them, a growing list of accomplishments and, perhaps most importantly, a partnership built one ride at a time.
Article written by Elizabeth Arnold Photography by Shane Rux Photography, Kirstie Marie Photography, Cody Parmenter Photography & Larry Williams Photography
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