The final week of the All American Quarter Horse Congress rolled on to mid-week with a number of champions named in futurities and AQHA/NSBA events.
Jay Starnes Wins Coughlin Maiden Two Year Old Open Western Pleasure
Jay Starnes left the Celeste Arena with a big trophy and a big check for owner Kathy Elmer after winning the Coughlin Maiden Open Two Year Old Western Pleasure.
“She’s by The Lopin Machine and out of our Certain Illusion mare,” Jay said of his champion. “We raised her. Kristy rode her early on and really liked her, and then I started riding her and we decided half way through the year to put her in this class.
“Kathy Elmer bought her when she was four days old. She’s wanted one out of our mare for nine years. Her recip mom died when she was 45 days old, so she’s pretty special.
“She’s been really good here, for never been shown before. She was good in the first go and honestly, I felt like as the week went on she just got better. It’s a lot for them. She showed well and listened to me the whole time. I think she’s just so broke and does her job.”
The team won $17,602.95 for the win through NSBA and an additional $1,196.56 through the Southern Belle Breeders program.
Swept Away In Trail
It appeared to be really easy when Jessica Noiseux showed It Comes So Easy to win both the Three Year Old Open and Limited Open Trail Stakes for owner Sabrina Janis on Wednesday.
“We call her Goody,” Jessica said. “I felt like going in she was a little bright, so I got a little concerned. But she settles right in and she usually shows pretty honest, so I felt like I had to just trust her.
“The walks were a little tricky for a three year old. She also has some trouble with the longer lines, so we really worked on that a lot. Over the lope overs she was really slow and held the ground really well and I liked that. Her footwork in the trots was really good. She was super focused today and I was really happy with her.”
Charlie Cole showed My Dad Is The Best to win the Four and Five Year Old Open Trail Stakes for owner Lindsay Gurlock, adding to the gelding’s Congress win record. In the Limited division of the class, Sara Simons showed Make Me Famous for Cathy Ryden to the win.
Evie Doles And Moose Continue Their Winning Ways
NSBA 2022 Horse Of The Year If Im Honest and Evie Doles continued their winning ways at the 2023 Congress, winning the Youth 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle.
It marks the third year in a row that Evie and If Im Honest have won the class - in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Other champions throughout the day included Katy Jo Zuidema and Canadian Club, showing for Courtney Suthoff to win the Two Year Old Limited Open Hunter Under Saddle Stakes;.
The Cooki Monster and Susan Roberts winning Amateur Select Western Pleasure; ItzOnly Make Believe and Alexandra Rippeon taking Youth Hunt Seat Equitation 12-14; Payton Anderson and Gun Powder N Smoke earned the champion title in Level 1 Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation. Riley Walburn and Just To B Cool won Level 1 Youth 13 & Under Western Pleasure. In Youth Hunter Under Saddle 12-14, Myah Chaput and Fun To Be Best were named Congress champions.
The 2023 All American Quarter Horse Congress continues through Sunday, October 22. To view complete show results, please visit the Horse Show Tracker or quarterhorsecongress.com. You can also view the show’s live video feed at quarterhorsecongress.com/livestream.
