The Congress turned its attention to Trail in the Celeste Center on Thursday as Level 1 Junior and Senior horses along with Youth Level 1 13 & Under exhibitors took to the pen, and then futurity champions continued to be crowned throughout the day.
Nick Mayabb and Amy Win Level 1 Junior Trail
Nick Mayabb and KM Best Dressed took the top spot in the AQHA and NSBA portions of Level 1 Junior Trail with a score of 233. “We call her Amy,” Nick said of the five year old mare. “We bought her from Masterson Farms when she was two and we’ve had her ever since. She did really well in the Western Pleasure, and then we started her on Trail.
“She was third last year at the World Show the second time she ever showed in Trail. We worked really hard to show her some but keep her eligible for Level 1, because it’s easy to point out. She’s got great eye appeal and she looks good going over poles and in between them. She’s a good horse.”
Nick noted that owner Rose Santos just sold Amy to Kathryn Mitchell. “We’ve had other horses with Kathryn, and Amy is going to be her Non-Pro horse next year,” Nick said.
Carly Parks and Hunter Win Level 1 Senior Trail
Carly Veldman Parks had set a goal to win Senior Trail at the Congress, and she did just that in Level 1 Senior Trail, aboard Bettin The Goods, showing for William and Melissa Wilkes.
“We started Trail with Hunter about a year ago,” Carly said. “It took him a little while to get it, but he loved it from the start, even when he made mistakes. We kind of showed him a little bit, schooled him when we needed to, and I can’t thank the Wilkes enough for being such patient owners as we showed, schooled and helped him get it.”
“He won the Three Year Old Non-Pro here and now he’s won the Senior Level 1 Trail at six,” noted Melissa. “Doing the Trail has helped him so much mentally, even in the Western Pleasure. I am not sure I can do Trail, but Carly thinks he’s going to be good at Western Riding too, and I might try him in that.”
A Pretzel and An Icon Win Two Year Old Western Pleasure Stakes
When Gil Galyean rode Hey Look Ma I Made It into the Celeste arena on Thursday, it was the fulfillment of team of people who helped a horse against many odds. “I raised him, and when he was born he had a lot of problems. He crawled around on his ankles. We were asked to put him down, but we wouldn’t give up on him,” noted Angie Cannizzaro.
The chestnut gelding, known as Pretzel, was at Charles and Angie Cannizzaro’s farm when Candice Hall and Corey Seebach visited, and seeing the colt by Hall and Seebach’s stallion, Machine Made, and hearing his story made them want to be part of his next chapter.
“We got him in September of last year and started him at the first of the year,” Gil said. “I always liked him. We held him back for the maiden class in Ocala, and he was third there. We had a better trip around the pen on this second time to show him.
“He really swings his legs and has this sweepy, even stride. His top line was really good and he’s just very natural,” Gil said.
Caroline Cavallo Does Only Ride The Best in Three Year Old Ltd Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle
Dawn Baker has been showing Caroline Cavallo’s gelding, Only Ride The Best, since his debut at the A Sudden Impulse Futurity this spring in Ocala. On Thursday, Caroline was able to join in the fun by riding ‘Teddy’ to win the Limited division of the Three Year Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle.
“I started out riding Hunter Under Saddle as a young child, but we’ve gotten more into the Western horses over the years,” Caroline said. “I’ve been looking for an English horse for a while and Dawn and Brian found Teddy. He’s so easy to show. It’s fun. And I’m so blessed to have my mom here to support me and be with me to see my first Congress win. I’ve been reserve a few times but never won before. It’s sort of our thing to do the shows together.”
Caroline doesn’t have the luxury of spending a lot of time showing. “I’m an ER nurse at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Illinois, so I have to fly back out and work a few shifts before I can show again in the Non-Pro,” she said.
Farley McLendon And Ned Wins Super Sale Two Year Old Hunter Under Saddle
With three firsts and a second from the four judges, Farley McLendon and Best Be Sleepin In were crowned the champions of the Super Sale Two Year Old Hunter Under Saddle. They showed for owner Spencer Lott. ‘Ned’ is by Good Better Best and out of a Too Sleepy To Zip mare.
“Spencer bought Ned out of the sale as an investment and he is now for sale,” Farley said. “We bought him with this class in mind, and we also showed him at the Tom Powers Triple Challenge and the NSBA World Show.
"He’s a really happy horse whether you are riding him or turning him out. He’s not spooky and he’s super easy going. In our go today in the finals, he was super steady going around the pen. We had plenty of space to show, and it was just an easy trip for him.”
Myah Chaput and Fun To Be Best Win Youth 11 & Under Hunter Under Saddle
Myah Chaput took her horse, Fun To Be Best, through a split and a final to be named Congress AQHA and NSBA champions in Youth 11 & Under Hunter Under Saddle.
“Deion is just three years old, but he has a sweet personality,” Myah said. “He greets you every time you go in the barn, and he’s fun to ride. It feel super smooth during our class, and I think the judges were able to see us.”
Myah credits her barn family for helping her. “Christa Baldwin helps me, along with my mom and my whole barn family,” she said. “It was pretty awesome to win at the Congress!”
Casey Willis and 'Naomi' Win $10,000 Maturity Western Pleasure
Casey Willis showed KM WeKnowShesBest to win the Maturity $10,000 Limited Horse Open Western Pleasure Stakes. They showed for Masterson Farms LLC.
"Naomi is four years old, and she hasn't been shown very much," Casey said. "We started her and showed her a couple of times last year, and we knew she had the talent, but she just needed a little more time to mature. That's what makes this class so great because it allows these horses that need a little more time to have a place to go and be competitive.
"She showed really well. That was probably the sixth or seventh time she's been shown, so she's still a little green, but that is what that class is for. I'm really happy with how she showed. She is a full sister to KM WeKnowShesHot, and I know the Mastersons are looking forward to showing her."
The All American Quarter Horse Congress continues through Sunday, October 24. To view the complete show schedule, show results or the live video feed, please visit www.quarterhorsecongress.com.
