Jess Bergantzel & Memphis Bound
Trail Stakes Champions
Wednesday began with the crowning of Trail champions in the two aged stakes classes.
Jess Bergantzel showed Memphis Bound for owner Kendalyn Herlocker to wint he Congress Four and Five Year Old Trail Stakes with a score of 335.5. "There's not that many places you get to do this for a paycheck like this. It's a great opportunity to be able to win money," Jess said of the win.
"Memphis is four years old, and I just got her this spring," he noted. "She did Western Pleasure before we got her, and we've been teaching her the all around events. I showed her for the first time at the Red Bud and she just gets better all the time. She might get to show in this again next year."
Troy Lehn took Good Like Jagger to the Limited division win in the class and reserve overall, scoring 234.5. "Alex Chavez and I picked him out as a yearling, and Maggie Grandquist started him as a two year old. Last year we did the three year old class and won the NSBA in Three Year Old Trail," Troy said.
"I think it's great that we can have another shot to go out there and compete," Troy said of the three year old class. "I love being able to compete for money, which we don't always get to do. With my two horses today, we earned more than $9,800.
Jason Gilliam showed HP Prime Time to win the Three Year Old Trail Stakes Open and Limited division for owner Kaleena Weakly. "We won the BCFC and were reserve in the NSBA World Show, so we've had a good year," Kaleena said of her horse. "We bought him at the World Show in November. We watched him lope over a pole and he was just beautiful. He's going to Highpoint to begin his All Around career."
"He's just so naturally good," Jason said. "He has a natural cadence that just fits the poles perfectly. He knows where his feet are and he is very careful and just so slow legged. He's a big horse, and he just floats around."
When asked about the three year old class, Jason noted "Having this three year old class at the shows gives us a whole other horse to get to take to the shows and compete with. It's great."
Western Stakes and Futurity Champions
In the Two Year Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure Stakes, Clay Arrington showed Wonit On My RV to the win for his grandmother, Vickie Kent.
"We sure didn't expect a year like this, but we'll take it," Vickie said. "This is something special." The red roan colt, known as Moses, is out of Vickie's mare Ill Be Dun Won It and by VS Flatline
"I don't even know what to say," Clay noted. "He was so good in there tonight. His ears were up and he was happy. He's always like that." The duo had previously won the Limited division of the class.
Madison Musser & Good Ridin Machine
Troy Lehn & Good Like Jagger
Cheryl Mullikan & KM Call Me Honey
Jason Gilliam & HP Prime Time
Aaron Moses & Lope With Grace
Aaron Moses piloted Lope With Grace to win the Two Year Old Coughlin Maiden Open Western Pleasure for BS Quarter Horses. "Ellie" is the third generation of horses bred by Halle Saywell Baldwin. "She's by Lazy Loper and is the first foal by my show mare, Gifted Invitation. Her grand dam is my old show mare A Gift So Good."
After marrying Carl Baldwin, Halle, Carl and Halle's parents formed the partnership BS Quarter Horses. "It really was a team effort," Halle said. "Ashley Lakins took my mare to be flushed at the Little Futurity in Raleigh three years ago. Rob Foster broke this filly out for two months until we could get in at Aaron's. We've waited a long time for this moment."
Although a maiden horse, Ellie took everything in stride. "She showed really well, and nothing bothers her," Aaron said. "She settled right in, and she got better and better as she's been shown." Halle showed Ellie to a top ten finish in the Non-Pro Two Year Old Western Pleasure Stakes just prior to the maiden finals.
More Western Pleasure Winners
Cheryl Mullikin wasn't sure who won the championship in Amateur Select Western Pleasure, because the placings ran neck and neck with Richard Carr and Marilyn Masterson. "It was a total surprise - I thought I got second," she said. She showed KM Call Me Honey to the AQHA and NSBA win. It was her second Congress championship, having won the three year old Western Pleasure previously.
"I've had Honey Bee for two years, and this is my second year to show her. I just love her to death. She's leading the nation in Senior Western Pleasure right now with Wade Black. We were reserve world champions last year at the Selection World. We're going to pull some embryos next year, but we aren't sure who we'll breed to just yet. I used to own Extremely Hot Chips, so that would be an exciting cross."
Another Western Pleasure champion was Jordan Abbott, who showed Made Just Right to win the Level 1 Youth Western Pleasure 13 & Under. "This is my first year showing in a loping class," Jordan said. "We call my horse Flo. This is my first year working with her. She's sweet and laid back."
Earning her very first Congress championship, Jordan said "It feels really good. I showed last year in Walk Trot in the All Around classes, but I think I like Western Pleasure the most. I also show in Trail and Horsemanship."
Hunting Champions
Madison Musser guided Good Ridin Machine to win the AQHA and NSBA titles in Youth Hunter Under Saddle 12-14.
Madison is the third generation in her family to ride and compete. Her grandmother showed Cutting, Western Pleasure and all around events in the 1970's and 80's and owned the AQHA stallion Charlie Polite, who stood on the Congress Stallion Avenue.
"I really enjoy it when all your hard work pays off, like today," Madison said. She planned to celebrate her win with a dinner at the Melting Pot.
In the Youth Hunt Seat Equitation 12-14, Isabella Himes added to her champion count with Assets Miss Reba. "It's my second year showing her," Isabella said. "When we first heard about her, I wasn't sure, but I ended up loving her. My favorite part of showing is when you work together as a team. It's really cool how it all comes together."
Brooke Ingstad showed HP Ima Foxy Dreamer to win Congress AQHA and NSBA Level 1 Amateur Hunt Seat Equitation. Brooke and her mother adapted a Western horse to All Around events this year.
"We first showed him in Arizona, and he had never been in a hunt seat saddle before," she said. "In the last six months, we've really solidified the Showmanship, Horsemanship and Equitation. He always give you 100 percent."
Although Brooke has shown horses most of her life, she took a break to attend college and found herself Novice eligible in several events. "I truly am Novice in these events like the Equitation," she said. "I never placed in the top ten in Equitation before."
Other champions on the day included Deanna Darroh and Vinn Diesel, who won Amateur Select Hunter Under Saddle; and Madison Parduhn and So Blazin Im Amazin, winning AQHA and NSBA Level 1 Youth Hunt Seat Equitation 14-18.
The All American Quarter Horse Congress continues through October 29. To view complete show results or learn more about the show, please visit www.quarterhorsecongress.com.
