Superstitions, Luck, and Faith

After Carson Fry entered the Celeste Center for his first-ever AQHA show, he walked out as the 2025 Congress Champion in the 11 & Under Showmanship with ShowMeWhatYouGot, also known as Duke, a 2011 gelding sired by RL Best Of Sudden and out of Anita Goodbar.

At the age seven, Carson proudly declared to his mom, “I want to show at the All American Quarter Horse Congress one day.”

And on Saturday, that dream became reality.

Carson’s love for horses began with his great-grandma, who first introduced him to riding. Growing up, he would spend hours at her place learning the basics before taking lessons, which led him to compete at county fairs and open shows. His dedication and talent have earned him numerous titles, including the 2023 National Open Horse Show Association (NOHSA) All-Around Small Fry Champion and 4-H Senior Versatility Champion.

 

Outside of the show pen, Carson, from Roachdale, Ind., is equally passionate about livestock and agriculture. He competes in horse judging contests and proudly won the Indiana State Junior Contest with help from his dad, a former collegiate horse judging competitor. He also shows pigs in 4-H and plays an active role on his family’s farm, where they raise cattle and wheat. During harvest, you’ll find him behind the wheel of a semi or tending to the pumpkins. Together with his cousins, Carson also helps run a sweet corn business to build their college funds. It’s clear that a steady work ethic runs in the Fry family. 

At the shows, Carson is no stranger to hard work.

“He does the work at horse shows, gets them ready, and makes sure to feed at 5 a.m. to give them enough time before he lunges Duke,” says family friend, Lori Murphy. “He’s one of the hardest workers for his age. If he sets a goal, he achieves it.”

That grit and consistency is what sets him apart from many others his age. 

He was underestimated by some, but there was one person who believed in him. That would be Saul Sliss of Saul Sliss Performance Horses. Saul is from Rochester, Ind., where he and his wife Megan specialize in the training of western and hunter under saddle futurity and all-around horses.

“Never in my 40 years of showing horses have I had a kid come up to me and ask if they could show with me,” he says. Saul graciously put one month of training on Duke to help Carson with his lope and showmanship skills. “I do not take horses in for training for only one month, but Carson is the only exception because of his dedication and attitude.”

That dedication earned Carson a special opportunity, he was invited to show with Saul's team at the Congress, a moment that meant the world to both Carson and his parents. It was a dream come true to compete alongside a trainer who had believed in him from the start.

Faith and a few lucky signs seemed to follow Carson leading up to his big win.

“Two nights before I showed, a black cat ran out in front of me. Angie Basso gave me a miniature Jesus as a good luck charm,” he recalled. “Then my cat, who had been missing for 14 months, showed up just two hours before I showed.”

“It was scary showing in the Celeste. It's such a big arena with a lot of people in it,” says Carson. But all his training with Saul paid off. “I like that he doesn’t allow us to say that ‘I think I might win,’ but ‘you are going to win.’”

Carson also values the time and effort Saul puts in with him and Duke, even if it is 2 a.m. in the Coliseum.

His favorite part about the Congress is “Just everything. I like the shopping, especially Brinks Hattery and Schneiders Saddlery. And I like the Sweet Shop cinnamon rolls.”

Carson would also like to tell other youth exhibitors “To work hard and set your goals high. Never let anyone tell you your dreams are too big.”

The Fry family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to everyone who has played a role in Carson’s journey for the lessons, encouragement, and belief in his dreams. Special thanks go to Saul and Megan Sliss, Melissa Jones, Lori Schopmeyer, Samantha Eckert, Sydney Moore, Houston and Harley Huff, Marla and Jim Miles, Hannah Headman, and the entire Sliss Barn Family.

“He is so lucky to have all of these professionals around him who have helped him for nothing in return, just giving him a chance,” says Mom.

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