JUNE, 2023
COVER STORY
MR FREEZE 12-15
By Corrine S. BortonPhotos by Figure Eight & Shane Rux
FEATURES
LEADING US AHEAD: LEAD LINE CLASS REVEALS
A BRIGHT FUTURE 22-26
By Corrine S.BortonPhotos by Jeff Kirkbride & Shane Rux
EVENTS
THE MADNESS: BIG PURSES MARK 2023
EVENT IN OHIO 32-35
Photos by Courtney B. Ament
AQHA LEVEL 1 EAST: COMPETITORS VIE
FOR NEW TITLES 40-42
Photos by Shane Rux
REGULAR COLUMNS
“INSIDE” LAW 61
By Katherine Jarve“INSIDE” HEALTH 51-52
By Brian BurksDVM
PROFESSIONALS 46-47
Colton Smith
YOUTH 62-63
Kaylee Grace Olds
THE BUZZ 65
ASSOCIATION NEWS 67
ADVERTISING SALES
Courtney B. Ament
Deanna Green Willis
WEBSITE ADVERTISING
Courtney B. Ament
TECHNICAL ANALYST
Brent Adam Borton
CIRCULATION
Lenora B. Sheppard
ADVERTISING DESIGNERS
Avid Photography
Broc Clark
Courtsey Designs
Denise Hawkins
Emajes
Excaliber Photography
JML Designs
Hampel Designs
Jakovich Marketing
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Courtney Borton Ament
Corrine S. Borton
Brianna Huggins
Bryce Sossamon
COLUMNISTS
Katherine Jarve
Dr. Brian Burks
COPY & RESEARCH
Lenora B. Sheppard
PHOTOGRAPHER
Caroline Saylors
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Courtney B. Ament
Figure 8
Impulse Photography
Jeff Kirkbride
Cody Parmenter
Renew Creative
Ruehle Photographix
Shane Rux
Imagine if the Big Bang Theory character Sheldon were a horse. That’s what Kentucky trainer Josh Faulkner says Mr Freeze is like.
“He’s just goofy and always keeps you guessing,” Faulkner said.
But the 2015 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) bay gelding by Batt Man and out of Only A Summer Breeze that Faulkner suggested for his clients, the Leavell family, is also a very reliable show horse with tons of selfcarriage, Faulkner said, which makes him just the right fit.
Shane and Darla Leavell have been involved in the show horse industry for decades now and have competed with numerous successful show horses like Rocked N Red, Bet N On A Dream, I Like Itin The Light and An Impulsive Thing. In 2018 they hired Josh Faulkner as head trainer at their Leavell Farms in Simpsonville, Kentucky.
In addition to marketing their horses and getting 2-year-olds they raised started under saddle, Faulkner also coaches Shane and Darla’s two young sons, Alexander, 13, and Liam, 11.
In October at the Quarter Horse Congress, Faulkner was on the hunt for a new horse that Alexander could show in Youth Western Pleasure classes but that was talented enough for Faulkner to show in open events.
That’s when Mr Freeze, bred by Lee and Brenda Looney, got on his radar. Texas trainer Andy Cochran’s son, Aiden, had been showing him with great success. Together they were Re-
serve Champions in 13 & Under Youth Western Pleasure at the AQHA Youth World Show Reserve Champions in Youth Western Pleasure at the National Snaffle Bit Association’s World Championship Show and Reserve Congress Champion in Youth Western Pleasure 12-14.
“Kelby Hutchinson mentioned to me that Mr Freeze was going to be for sale,” Faulkner said. “I went over and talked to Andy, rode Sheldon and then called Shane and Darla to tell them I thought we should vet him before it became public knowledge that he was for sale.”
Faulkner said he thought Mr Freeze would work for the Leavells because he is not extremely complicated to ride and he always seemed honest in the show pen.
“Aiden and Alexander are similar in age so I knew he could be shown by a youth competitor,” he explained.
Faulkner got of to a great start with Mr Freeze in March by winning a Circuit Championship in Senior Western Pleasure at the Celebration Circuit in Harriman, Tennessee. They won circuit championships in Senior Western Pleasure in their next two outings and are now qualified for the AQHA World Show. Alexander also placed 12th in Western Pleasure at the AQHA Level 1 East Championship Show out of 48 entries.
“Mr Freeze was already a successful show horse so he fit into my program easily,” Faulkner said. “If he likes you he will give you 110%. He tries pretty hard no matter what. He’s a strong loper with a great topline.” s
Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Figure Eight, Shane Rux
Next up for Mr Freeze is the Back To Berrien Futurity in Michigan where Faulkner will show him in the Limited Open Western Pleasure Maturity while Shane competes in Non-Pro Maturity and Alexander will ride in Youth Western Pleasure. After that, it’s off to shows in Tennessee and then the NSBA World Show and the Quarter Horse Congress.
“The Leavells are really good people,” Faulkner said. “They are extremely fair and understanding.”
He is especially excited about Alexander’s future with Mr Freeze.
“He starting to turn into a really great sponge and trying hard to fix things he hasn’t quite mastered yet,” he explained. “He is an excellent listener.”
Shane is also excited to get back into the show pen on Mr Freeze and is enjoying learning all about him.
“He’s a great horse,” he said. “He’s great minded and super talented. We are just working out our legs and cadence. I feel like we are better every time out.”
He also finds it beneficial to share a horse with Alexander when trying to explain things to his son.
“It’s helpful to know what he’s feeling as he goes around,” he explained.
Mr Freeze is not the only horse the Leavells are campaigning this year.
Darla is showing Rocked N Red, a 2009 sorrel gelding by HH Redrock and out of An Invitation ToCruz, in Level 2 and Level 3 Amateur Western Pleasure and in Level 1 Amateur Horsemanship. Liam is showing him in Level 1 and 13 & Under Youth Western Pleasure.
ABOUT LEAVELL FARM
Darla and her husband, Shane met as children growing up in northern Indiana. Both were involved with horses. Darla started riding lessons at a local boarding barn, where they did Saddle Seat on Arabians and National Show Horses. Shane showed Quarter Horses under the guidance of Rick Novak. They took a break to attend college and get their careers started. Twenty-two years ago, after completing college, Shane and Darla married and moved to Louisville to pursue their careers. Darla is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Ball State University, in Indiana, in 2001 and a Master of Science degree in Nursing from Murray (Kentucky) State University in 2005.
“I provided anesthesia for a large academic med-
ical center/ trauma hospital for almost a decade, then served America’s heroes at our local Veterans Affairs Hospital,” Darla said. “Now I work closer to our farm at a regional medical center. I love my job.”
Shane graduated from Oklahoma Horseshoeing School in 1992 and Purdue University in 2000 with a degree in Agricultural Economics.
When they married, Shane was a farrier but slowly phased that business out to become a partner in R.L. Craig Company, Inc., a company that provides HVAC and ventilation equipment into the commercial, industrial and agricultural sector. In 2013, Darla and Shane’s childhood passion for horses led them to Simpsonville, Kentucky, where they started building Leavell Farms on 32 acres. Little by little the facility has expanded to include a 21 stall barn, a 80-by-150-foot indoor arena, a 125-by-225foot outdoor arena, a five-horse euro-walker and four paddocks with run-in sheds.
Pictured on the opposite page (top to bottom): Josh Faulkner and Bet N On A Dream at the 2021 AQHA World Show; Liam Leavell and Roccked N Red at the the 2022 AQHA Level 1 East Championships; and Alexander Leavell at the 2022 Quarter Horse Congress. On this page (top) Leavell Farms in Simpsonville, Kentucky and Faulkner with Alexander and Bet N On A Dream.
The Leavells built an impressive breeding program with marepower like AQHA all-time leading producer Vitalism (the dam of Vital Signs Are Good), A Fancy Impulse, Moonlight Made Over and Zips Splash Of Gold, as its foundation. They bred Dancin In The Moonlite, Reserve Coughlin Limited Open 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure Champion; The Roan Show, top three in Longe Line at the Tom Powers Futurity; and Pageant Material, top 10 in the Congress Western Longe Line.
The addition of Faulkner has allowed the Leavell family to focus on their own show careers.
“Josh has been here almost five years,” Shane Leavell said. “He is like family. We get along well and he has become excellent at prepping the horses to ride well for our family.”
And family is important to Shane and Darla. In addition to their involvement with the horses and time spent on the farm, they enjoy boating and all sorts of watersports and Shane is the basketball coach for the schools middle school team.
Even their own goals in the show pen center around their family. Darla is sharing Rocked N Red with Liam while Shane and Alexander are riding Mr Freeze.
“I want to be competitive as a Level 2 exhibitor nationally and make Sheldon go around to the best of his ability,” Shane said. “But more importantly, I want Alexander and I to become better riders.”
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hey are the future of the industry. Lead Liners, with their big smiles and enthusiastic attitudes, can brighten up the show day and at the same time, put horse showing into perspective, if even for a short
While Lead Line is not a sanctioned class at most breed association events or futurities, it is often included on the schedule and follows a set of “unwritten” rules. The goal is always to encourage youngsters to become involved and show management works hard to welcome them into the arena, sometimes even with some fancy prizes.
The rewards can be invaluable.
Lead Line teaches young riders many meaningful skills that will help them throughout the rest of their lives. They learn virtue, confidence, calmness and diligence. It also helps them with their future riding careers by teaching them proper body position and basic horsemanship.
“I’ve always wanted there to be a whole pen full of them because that is our association,” said long time American
Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Show Manager Karen Kennedy, of Fort Smith, Arkansas. “What will keep us alive is the children who have a passion to get out in the ring and whose parents want to fuel that passion.”
Westyn James King, son of professional trainers R.J. King and Blair Townsend, of Collinsville, Texas, made his Lead Line debut at the 2023 March To The Arch in Fort Worth before he even turned 2.
“He loved it,” R.J. said. “He got to ride his favorite horse, NothinButLazy (Mia), owned by Bill and Cindy Cosentino. She’s special to us because she was one of the first horses we had when we started our (training) business and she was the first horse Westyn ever sat on. He is a lucky little boy.”
R.J. is a big fan of the Lead Line class and thinks it, along with Walk-Trot classes should be offered at all the shows.
“It’s the kids that are our future whether they are horse trainers or non-pros one day,” he said.
As for Westyn, he loves to ride.
“He wants to be like his daddy and mama so getting to show was so much fun for him,” R.J. said.
Adeline Bennett, daughter of professional trainer Jessica Johnson and Brian Bennett, of Pickerington, Ohio, also started showing Lead Line at the age of 2 and she will turn 5 in October. Adeline shows her mini gelding, Omega most of the time but if there’s not room on the trailer for him she shows ATM, a 2008 gelding by Artful Move and out of Only Money Honey, owned by Lindsey Gerbick.
“Adeline shows Lead Line at whatever show offers it,” Johnson said. “And if a show doesn’t offer it, she isn’t afraid to ask for it be added.”
Johnson feels that showing in Lead Line gets Adeline involved in what everyone else is doing at the show.
“She loves to put on her show clothes and smile and wave at the crowd,” Johnson said. “It really makes her feel included and a part of the show community.”
Kaleena Weekly, of Shelbyville, Illinois, a longtime successful all-around competitor herself, also understands the value of the class. Her daughter, Knox, started showing in Lead Line at the age of 2 and is now transitioning into Small Fry competition. She loves being in the ring.
“It is great because it teaches them the start of responsibility and patience,” Weakly said. “If they really want to do it, they need to get dressed, help get the horse ready, and just be patient while waiting for their class.”
Kaleena said participating in Lead Line with Definitely A First (Tag) provided Knox confidence with the horses in the show pen. Getting comfortable in a larger, open arena takes some time, especially for younger children. It can easily become overwhelming. Getting them in the ring before the class can be a good idea to make sure they get comfortable with their surroundings and limit some nervousness before they show off their skills.
“The class helped her have the ‘want’ to do more with horses and competition. On top of that she has learned how to sit up, have good posture, balance and keep her heels down,” she explained. “Knox’s riding ability has improved tremendously, which prepares her for her future equine endeavors.”
Last year Knox even started showing in Small Fry Showmanship while she was still competing in Lead Line.
“She wanted to do a class all by herself,” Kaleena said.
Generally speaking the Lead Line class is open to youngsters under the age of 7 and they can show in either Western or English attire. Horses are lead by a lead shank attached to a halter that is under a bridle or headstall. The class is performed in both directions at a walk only. A backup when in line is optional.
Many judges talk to the young exhibitors during the inspection stage, sometimes asking them questions ranging from “How old are you?” to “What color is your horse?” The aim is to make them feel confident and comfortable. Sometimes the class is actually placed and at other shows all competitors in the class get a prize.
Knox Weakly is pictured on the opposite page (top) showing Definitely A First in a Lead Line class with her mom, Kaleena, leading and (inset) in Small Fry Showmanship at the Arizona Sun Circuit with OK Shes Unzipped. Lead Line has given her the confidence she needs to become a successful competitor. On this page Adeline Bennett (top) with her mini gelding, Omega and (below that) getting ready to show.
Kaleena says Knox loved getting the “toys” she and the other riders receive after they finish showing.
“The sand toys are my favorite,” Knox said.
But it’s also about teaching sportsmanship.
“Even when they all win it is still fun and teaches them good sportsmanship and to cheer for their fellow friends,” Kaleena said.
AQHA and APHA judge John Kunkle, of Cross, South Carolina agrees.
“I think anything we do to get those kids involved is a win for everyone,” he said.
Throughout his 25-plusyear career in the equine industry, Kunkle has noticed how important Lead Line classes can be for youngsters. It gives them a great start in their show careers and boosts their spirits before they get into real competition. They need those few years to not worry about it so much.
“At that age, I like it when they let them all win and give them all a prize because you are trying to get them to come back, you are trying to get them to be the future of the industry,” Kunkle explained. “A lot of the times, I will give each one of them a dollar and throw in there “Who’s your favorite judge?” to make their faces light up and give them a little laugh.”
Show managers like it when judges say or do things to get the youngsters engaged.
“It always makes me happy when I have a judge that interacts with the kids,” Kennedy said. “Even if they're young, they are going to remember that interaction.”
And many times, the Lead Line classes draw the biggest crowds. Kunkle says the whole family can easily be involved with the class. It’s common to have the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins leading and then the rest of the family cheers from the stands.
“The more we keep this fun and family oriented, the more the whole industry will be,” he said. “It sets the atmosphere for the show.”
So what should parents consider when deciding whether to have their children participate in Lead Line classes?
“We never pushed Westyn to like horses or to ride,” R.J. said. “I think it’s best to let your own child decide if they want to ride and if the do then take the necessary steps to try a Lead Line class.”
It’s not necessary to have a big time successful show horse. It’s more important to consider safety and look for a horse that is good minded and accustomed to a show arena.
“We trust Mia completely and would never want Westyn to be scared of horses or of showing,” R.J. said. “And remember, it’s supposed to be fun and not that serious!”
Johnson agrees that it’s important not to put too much pressure on the young competitors.
“I would advise that parents let the kids have fun with it,” she said. “It’s all about the love of the horse and not the ribbons.”
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Judges at a show in Florida talk to a young Lead Line competitor at a show, in an effort to encourage the youngsters. Below that, AQHA and APHA judge John Kunkle is pictured interacting with a Lead Line competitor at a show where he was officiating.
Big payouts, tough competition mark 2023 event in Ohio
Text Corrine S. Borton & Brianna Huggins
Photos Courtney B. Ament
The Southern Ohio Quarter Horse Association celebrated the 10th Annual The Madness Show Circuit with a bang this year reporting over 14,000 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) entries and increases in money classes over last year.
Each round of competition was up roughly 200 entries per judge, according to An Equine Production, which manages both The Madness and the Pre-Madness circuits in Wilmington, Ohio in May. National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) dual approved entries topped 1,900 and money classes totaled over 300.
The biggest cash award was presented in the 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Western Pleasure class which drew a whopping 29 entries.
Katy Jo Zuidema piloted Waffle House (Waffles), sired by The Born Legacy and out of Bestseatinthehouse, to a win collecting a check for $25,000.
Bred by Dennis and Debbie Martin, Waffle House is owned by Katy Jo and her husband, Tim Zuidema, of Micanopy, Florida.
“Waffles is special because she is stunning and does every gear great and she’s regal,” Katy Jo said.
“She knows she’s different and so she carries herself different.”
The Zuidemas purchased Waffles in February for Katy Jo’s son, JR to show in Youth and Non-Pro classes.
“She will be his partner for Western Pleasure at the AQHA Youth World Show,” Katy Jo said. “After that we will just keep going....to the NSBA World Show, the Quarter Horse Congress and then the AQHA World Show.”
The Madness 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Western Pleasure was divided into two splits with a finals where Waffle House
Additional placings include:
Third: VS Looks Like A Lady (The Lopin Machine x VS Lady In Red) bred by Kristen Galyean, owned by Kristi Avery and shown by Houston Huff; $5,000.
Fourth: When N Where (VS Code Red x One Hot Mouse) bred by Voge Quarter Horses, owned by JVM Partnership and shown by Aaron Moses; $3,500.
Fifth: White Outt (No Doubt Im Lazy x Invite Cricket) bred and owned by Dwain or Mary Jo Gold and shown by Brian Ale; $3,000.
Sixth: Straight Up Dirty (The Best Martini x Another
Certain Vino) bred by Beth Mallett, owned by Jen Smith and shown by Kenny Lakins; $2,500.
Seventh: Sparkk Me Up (The Lopin Machine x Im Sparkling Hot) bred by Taylor Shotkoski, owned by Scott & Linda Berwick and shown by Angie Rigdon Cannizzaro; $2,000.
Eighth: Cool Like Thaat (Machine Made x KM Hot Number) bred by Bret & Candy Parrish, owned by Robert & Lisa Thomaier and shown by Bret Parrish; $1,500.
Ninth: A Lady To Envy (Invitation Only x Cool Lookin Lady) bred and owned by Fritz Leeman and shown by Jay Starnes; $1,000.
10th: Home Made Cookie (Machine Made x Shesa Cookie Leaguer) bred by Stanley or Susan Scott, owned by Kelly Goldinger and shown by Brian Cox; $500
Limited Champion: HP A Sure Machine (Machine Made x HP Surely Im Sleepy) bred and owned by Mariann Harrington & Joe Prause and shown by Darren Putnam; $1,000.
Reserve Limited: Cool Moving Lady (VS Flatline x Suddenly A Cool Lady) bred by Starland Ranch, owned by Ingrid Miller and shown by Amanda Jackson; $500.
3-YEAR-OLD & OVER NOVICE HORSE WESTERN PLEASURE
Fresh off her win in the 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Western Pleasure at the Virginia Maiden, Saay My Name, sired by Machine Made and out of HP Only The Best captured the top prize in The Madness 3-Year-Old & Over Novice Horse Western Pleasure. Owned by Wes and Lindy Ashlock, the pretty bay mare was shown by Aaron Moses and took home a check for $15,000.
Lindy Ashlock watched online both times Saay My Name collected wins and said she has been amazing from the start.
“I first saw her in Arizona a couple of days into the Sun Circuit just riding around and she instantly caught my eye,” she explained. “It’s kinda a joke I have with Courtney (Moses) but I’m a sucker for a pretty bay mare. A few days before the show was over we tried her and fell in love with her personality. She’s one of the best minded mares I’ve been around.”
A total of 17 horses competed in the 3-Year-Old & Over Novice Horse Western Pleasure which boasted a total purse of $40,000 plus $1,500 in Limited Rider bonus money.
Saay My Name will continue to show at all the major events this year.
Katy Jo Zuidema is congratulated by her husband, Tim after winning the 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Western Pleasure class at The Madness with Waffle House. On this page (top) Aaron Moses gives Saay My Name a hug after they won the 3-Year-Old & Over Novice Horse Western Pleasure, earning $15,000. Below that (left) Alexa Frencl and Made For Naturdays, winners of the $2,500 Rider $2,500 Horse Western Pleasure and Shannon Curl-Holbin and Purljam, winners of the $5,000 Limited Open Western Pleasure Maturity. s
“Right now we are just enjoying getting to see her do well with Aaron but eventually I’m sure that Clara or I will show her some as well,” Lindy said. “We definitely plan to start breeding her next year.”
Reserve Champion in the class was Top Gunn, sired by Machine Made and out of Ima Potential. Owned by Neilburger and Green, Topp Gun was bred by Mark DeFreece and was shown by Rusty Green, earning $7,500.
Purljam, sired by Machine Made and out of Show Gurl, placed seventh in the class and was the Limited Division Champion, collecting $2,000 plus the $1,000 bonus. She is owned by Barbara Crawford.
Additional placings in the class include:
Third: Scoota Little Closer (The Lopin Machine x Always Invite Holly), bred by Masterson Farms, owned by Becky Crider Durrett and shown by Jay Starnes, $5,000.
Fourth: VS Bettin On Jacks (VS Code Red x Bettin With My Heart), bred and owned by William & Melissa Wilkes and shown by Kenny Lakins, $3,500.
Fifth: Suddens Made Man (Machine Made x Macs Dilemmas Magic), bred and owned by Richard & Malinda Baumann and shown by Cody Parrish, $3,000.
Sixth: Jeanie In A Bottle (VS Flatline x Sweet Talkin Jeanie), bred by Rick Meredith, owned by HS Equine Ventures Inc. and shown by RJ King, $2,500.
Eighth: A Scenic Payday, owned by Debi or Loren East, shown by Mike Hachtel, $1,500.
Up N The Anty, sired by No Doubt Im Lazy and out of Bettin With My Heart, captured the top prize in the 3-Year-Old & Over Novice Horse Hunter Under Saddle with Carly Veldman Parks in the irons for owners William and Melissa Wilkes, of Dublin, Georgia.
The team collected $5,000 plus $250 for being the highest placing Limited Rider. Reserve in the 11-entry class was Hot Dig It, owned by Rebecca Edward, shown by Farley McLendon, $1,666.67. The Maiden bonus of $1,000 went to B That Girl, owned by Alexa Black, shown by Samantha Aderhold.
Up N The Ante and Parks also won the 3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle with six entries, earning an additional $635.50.
Other champions in money classes at The Madness include:
All-Age Non-Pro Hunter Under
Saddle (7 shown): Only Ride The Best, owned and shown by Caroline Cavallo, $582.
3-Year-Old $2,500 Limited Rider Open Western Pleasure: Dark Ladie, owned by Haley Purkapile, shown by Shannon Curl-Holbin, $916.80.
5-Year-Old & Under Open Trail (22 shown): Dirty Monie, owned by Brister Shum, shown by Ryan Cottingim, $947.70.
3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure (15 shown): Saay My Name, owned by Wes & Lindy Ashlock, shown by Aaron Moses, $1,264.
Green Junior Trail (15 shown) Made In Style, owned by Janice Warford, shown by Nick Mayabb, $5,000.
Limited Green Junior Trail (7 shown): RSVP In Red, owned by Nadine Joaquin, shown by Eric Felt, $5,000. All-Age Non-Pro Trail (24 shown):
Pictured on this page (clockwise from top): Carley Veldman Parks and Melissa Wilkes with Up N The Ante, winner of the 3-Year-Old & Over Novice Horse Hunter Under Slot Class winner; Kylee Wiseman congratulates her grandfather, Dennis Martin for winning the Dad’s Walk-Jog Western Pleasure Class with RR Magical Moonlite; Ruby Rigdon takes a few minutes between classes to catch up on industry news in InStride Edition. On the opposite page, some candid scenes from the show.
Whata Moonlite Ride, owned and shown by Isabella D’Onofrio, $2,500 plus $500 Limited bonus.
6-Year-Old & Over Open Trail (40 shown): Some Hot Potential, owned by Emma Brown, shown by Jennifer Paul, $1,350.
Limited Rider Senior Trail (10 shown): Just A Tough More, owned by Grace Layne Ranch LLC, shown by Tyler Schultz, $500.
Maturity $10,000 Limited Horse Open Western Pleasure (8 shown): Thats How U Holiday, owned by Andrea Rowland, shown by Jay Starnes, $951.
$2,500 Limited Horse $2,500 Limited Rider Open Western Pleasure (10 shown): Made For Naturdays, owned and shown by Alexa Frencl, $841.50.
3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under saddle (7 shown): Heart Stopperr, owned and shown by Sheyenne Nelson, $582.
Maturity Limited Open Western Pleasure (11 shown): Purljam, owned by Barbara Crawford, shown by Shannon Curl-Holbin, $1,307.69.
3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure (18 shown): Lopin Hottie Tottie, owned and shown by Courtney Moses, $911.40.
Green Trail (10 shown): Made In Style, owned by Janice Warford, shown by Nick Mayabb, $583.10.
4-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure (13 shown): Lopin Like No Other, owned by William & Melissa Wilkes, shown by Melissa Wilkes, $400.
For complete results from both The Madness and the Pre Madness you can visit www.anequineproduction.com.
American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) exhibitors from 40 states and two Canadian provinces competed April 25-30, at the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio, for championship titles at the largest AQHA Level 1 Championships in AQHA history.
Over 800 exhibitors and horses competed in 99 western, English and halter classes, totaling 5,201 entries with 464 first-time Level 1 Championships participants. Competitors vied for top honors across a full slate of Level 1, Rookie and walk-trot classes which offered more than $185,000 in prizes and nearly $60,000 in jackpot money. AQHA also presented the top end-of-show awards to the all-around and high-point award winners. Exhibitors placing top 15 in the core Level 1 classes earned invitations to compete in the Level 1 Champion of Champions classes at their respective world shows.
TRAIL
In her sixth appearance at a Level 1 Championship Show, Shania Poney, of Ford City, Pennsylvania, teamed with Hustled My Invite (Mac) to score a 222 in Rookie Amateur Trail and take home the winning trophy in the class of 27 entries.
“I was so proud of my horse for the performance he gave me,” Poney said. “He has such an easy going personality. He gets curious sometimes but I think that's why he loves the Trail.”
Poney, who shows under the guidance of professional trailers Jim and Linda Becker, has competed with several different horses in many events over the years but with Mac the last three.
“Unfortunately, his previous owner passed away and my previous horse passed away,” she explained. “I was super upset and wasn't sure if I wanted to have a horse anymore.”
Poney’s trainers heard about Mac and told her to go try out the 2016 gelding sired by Required Invitation and out of Huslin My Assets.“I loved him the first time I rode him and the situation seemed meant to be,” she said.
Poney admitted the competition was tough at the Level 1 East Championship Show but she had a strategy.
“I was second to go so I wanted to make sure I laid out a good path,” she said. “The back up after the gate was challenging and it was important to stay consistent and find the correct spot.”
Poney said she would advise future competitors to practice, practice, practice.
“Keep yourself and your horse calm, learn your horse and how each part of their body moves, and have a good flow and be confident,” she said.
HUNTER UNDER SADDLE
Adrianna Maclean owns five horses but Fixntobeunforgetable
(Spencer), sired by Un Forgettable and out of Ima Fixin To Win, is special. Besides being the only one she bred and raised, Spencer was born exactly one year, to the day, that Maclean lost her oldest brother.
“I don’t believe that was a coincidence,” she said. “Spencer feels like he was meant to be here for me in the hardest of times, I believe Spencer is my brother’s way of showing me he’ll always be there for me and that even though he’s gone he never left me.”
Maclean certainly felt her brother’s presence when she and Spencer won the Rookie Youth Hunter Under Saddle at the Level 1 East Championship Show, besting 59 other competitors.
“The competition throughout the show was exceptional,” said the Napane, Ontario, Canada competitor. “There were so many talented riders and horses. It’s fitting that the horse who means the world to me, has taught me so much, and I’ve worked so hard to get to this point has been able to take me places I’ve only dreamed of. Words can’t describe how thankful I am to have raised, trained, and grown with this amazing horse. Having our names called for first place was truly a dream come true.”
In the 13 & Under Youth Hunter Under Saddle, Isabella Stanley, of Lebanon, Ohio, collected a first place trophy riding Walk N After Midnight (Dewey), a 2019 gelding by Good Better Best and out of A Walk In The Sky.
Stanley’s family purchased Dewey last October and she started showing him in January.
“We are a new team this year and we are still learning each other’s buttons, which is the most rewarding aspect of our win” Isabella said. “We are growing together.”
Stanley trains under the guidance of Miranda McIntosh, who she said taught her not to worry about the placings but rather to enter the pen striving for my best ride every time.
“This is the most valuable lesson I have ever learned and I recommend every rider embrace it,” she said.
This marks Stanley’s second appearance at a Level 1 Championship Show and she said the competition is always stout.
“There was a lot of talent in the pen with me,” she admitted. “I am blessed to have the support of my family and friends supporting me every step of the way and pushing me toward my dreams.”
WESTERN PLEASURE
In just her second appearance at a Level 1 Championship Show Kyra Koester, of New Lexox, Illinois, captured a win the Level 1 Amateur Western Pleasure with Special N I Know It (Rocket), a 2013 mare sired by One Hot Krymsun and out of dam Rebas Zippodeedooda.
“I think what set us apart was that she has a lot of natural self-carriage and movement,” Koester said. “When she pokes her nose out, it creates a really amazing picture. She’s also very consistent in both directions, she looks the same pretty much any time you look at her.”
Shania Poney is pictured on the opposite page (top) piloting Hustled My Invite to a win in the Rookie Amateur Trail at the AQHA Level 1 East Championship Show in Wilmington, Ohio. Below that, Adrianna Maclean and Fixntobeunforgettable, winners of the Rookie Youth Hunter Under Saddle. On this page (top) Level 1 Amateur Select Showmanship Champions VS Retirement Fund and Cindy Schrader and below that, Kyra Koester and Special N I Know It, Level 1 Amateur Western Pleasure winners. s
Koester and Rocket have not been partners for long. In fact the day she won the 70-entry class, was just one day shy of their first anniversary together. They train under the direction of Colton Smith of Smith Horse Company.
This was the second year Koester has competed in a Level 1 Championship Show and she said she knew going in the competition would be tough.
“I’m always too in my head, so I’m my own
competition a lot of the time,” she explained. “Staying slow and correct through my body was really difficult for me, because I have too much time to think, especially in Western Pleasure, which makes me very nervous and tense.”
EQUITATION
Myah Yeomans of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, said her Equitation partner, Big Irons (Scout), a 2016 gelding sired by These Irons Are Hot and out of Quit Staring, showed up for her in a big way at this year’s Level 1 East Championship Show.
The team bested 77 other competitors to take home the top prize in Level 1 Youth Hunt Seat Equitation 14-18. They were the first draw in the 8 a.m. class.
“Honestly, he was the best he’s been,” Yeomans said. “He was really in tune with me and I think not being able to watch a bunch of patterns and over analyze the tricky parts ended up helping us. He is a big boy but he navigated the pattern really well and listened to all my aids. His size in general tends to draw attention but we’ve worked really hard in this class to be a better unit.”
This year marks Yeomans’ second appearance at a Level 1 Championship Show and she and Scout competed in Hunter Under Saddle, Showmanship, Horsemanship and Performance Halter Geldings, in addition to Equitation.
Yeomans shared her advice for other comtemplating competing in a Level 1 Championship Show in the future.
“Ride what you have at that moment to be the best instead of trying to make it something it’s not,” she shared. “You’re there to give it your best shot at that moment, and if you do that, you will be successful.”
RIDE THE PATTERN CLINICS
During the show, AQHA Professional Horsemen volunteered their time to give six free Ride The Pattern clinics, presented by Nutrena. These clinics gave exhibitors and spectators the perfect opportunity to learn how AQHA Professional Horsemen would approach a specific class or pattern in Level 1 competition. Thanks to the generosity of the Ride The Pattern clinics attendees, the AQHA Professional Horsemen Endowment Fund raised nearly $3,000 in donations.
ABOUT THE LEVEL 1 CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Nutrena AQHA Level 1 Championships feature Walk-Trot, Rookie and Level 1 classes. The shows offer a variety of events and activities for competitors, friends, family and spectators alike to take part in throughout the show, including free Nutrena Ride the Pattern clinics taught by AQHA Professional Horsemen. The Level 1 Championships are intended for exhibitors to learn and grow in the show arena while sharpening their horsemanship skills.
For more information, visit www.aqha.com/level1championships.
