10/23 Congress Champions Include Gilliam, Anderman, Reinartz, Roberts, and More

By: Brittany Bevis

Today’s classes started off with a big win in a large 4 & 5-Year-Old Trail Stakes for Jason Gilliam and Whata Moonlite Ride for owner, Brooke Granzow. The 4-year-old Only In The Moonlite gelding named “Bob” was Brooke’s Western Pleasure horse last year; but, this year, he’s been learning new Western all around events.

“His go today was was flawless,” Brooke says. “He had no hits and no rubs, so it was all up to the judges. He’s really pretty when he’s showing, because he picks his legs up really well. I like when the poles are raised, because I feel it adds difficulty and that’s where he excels.”

Brooke was very excited about Bob’s win, because, although she wasn’t in the saddle, this is her first horse that has ever won a Congress Champion title. “I’ve had horses win seven Reserves, but this is my first win.” Next year, Brooke is looking forward to showing Bob in Horsemanship, Showmanship, and Trail.

Reserve was Chad Evans with Sugaray. Third was Martin Doustou with Best One Around. Fourth was Jennifer Paul with Lazyboy. Fifth was Sara Simons with Hez Blazin Trouble.

Over in the Showmanship pen, Scott Reinartz led Investin A Goodbar to win Select Showmanship. Reserve was Dan Yeager with Cracking The Code. Third was Joe Whitt with Suddenlee Single. Fourth was Tammy Dewey with Rios Marecedes. Fifth was Laina Banks with Strawberri Wine.

Returning Champion, Tony Anderman, led his trusty companion, Solo Invested, to win Amateur Showmanship once again this year at the Congress. Tony and his 15-year-old gelding, “Mac,” have been a team for the past three years under the guidance of Clint Ainsworth.

“This is the second time we’ve won at the Congress. Also, we’ve won at the World Show for the past two years. He’s a very good Showmanship horse. It’s hard not to love this class when you have such a participant. I’ve never had one that goes in this class and tries so hard.”

However, despite this team’s success in this class, that doesn’t mean they don’t have their own challenges now and again. “To be perfectly honest, square corners to the left are something we’ve struggled with. Last night, we had quite a lengthy practice, but we got it ironed out by today. My first go in my split was a little more conservative, as far as the extended trot. Then, in the finals, Clint told me that I needed to go for it, so I ran as hard as I could.”

Because Mac is an older horse, he comes with his share of funny quirks. Many might be surprised to learn that for how good of a Showmanship horse he is in the pen, his handling skills leave something to be desired when he exits the gate. “He’s a funny horse and has a ton of quirks. On the ground, he drags me around everywhere. It make everyone else crazy, but he just has his own set of rules. My favorite thing about him is how good he is the show pen at this event. He’s so reliable, and he knows when it’s show time.”

Reserve was Kylie Trail with Pure Lotto. Third was Kaleena Weakly with Dontskipmygoodimage. Fourth was Kaylee Swanigan with Good As Expected. Fifth was Shannon Brown with Ima Good Margarita.

Hillary Roberts rode Johnnie On The Spot to win Amateur Western Pleasure. Believe it or not, this is Hillary’s first first time winning this class at the Congress. Her partner for the class was her 5-year-old mare “Johnnie.”

“We’ve had her since her 2-year-old year. We bought her from the Mastersons at the Larry Little Futurity, and Rusty Green and my mom showed her and won a lot of the 2-year-old futurity events with her. Then, the following year, I showed her as a three-year-old. She’s won some non-pro maturities, between by Mom, Andy Cochran, and I. She’s been a good horse for us, and she’s a lifer in our program.”

Looking forward to next year, Hillary is excited for three of Johnnie’s foals to become yearlings. “She has three weanlings on the ground- two by Blazing Hot and by The Lopin Machine. She’s so beautiful to look at, and they’ve all inherited that from her so far. There is something striking about her when she comes in the pen, so I’m hoping she passes that on to her foals.”

Stay tuned for more in a video interview with Hillary coming soon.

Reserve was Sarah Nimigan with Best Brew At The Bar. Third was Nancy Wilkerson-Ditty with Forever Kool. Fourth was Courtney Moses with Always Seymour. Fifth was Dr. Candice Hall with Made By J.