15 Winners Crowned at Midwest Paint Horse Championship
Photos courtesy Cindy McGinnis and Stratton Ferson.
PHJ press release by: Jessica Hein
As fall weather began blowing across the central states, the Midwest Paint Horse Championship was just starting to heat up. The inaugural Midwest Paint Horse Championship took place September 26–27 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in conjunction with the Zone 5 Show.
Midwest Paint Horse Champions were crowned in 15 classes restricted to those residing within Zone 5, which consists of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Additionally, horses and exhibitors could not have placed in the Top Five in halter or Top 10 in performance of the same discipline at the APHA or AjPHA World Championship Shows in the past three years. For more information on eligibility requirements, click here.
The goal of the Paint Horse Championship series is to celebrate the success of more individuals who might not have the opportunity to travel to the World Shows and to increase local show participation. APHA provides the awards for the Paint Horse Championship classes, along with up to $3,500 for additional awards for Zone classes. Paint Horse Championship class winners receive a custom Gist Silversmiths belt buckle, and second- through tenth-place exhibitors receive medallions.
“The Zone 5 Committee was very pleased to host the Midwest Championship classes at our Zone Show in September,” Show Manager Cindy McGinnis said. ”The participation at this inaugural event was better than we expected, and the exhibitors who participated in these classes exemplified the spirit of the program. Their enthusiasm was evident, and they really appreciated the ceremony of the awards presentation by APHA President Ron Shelly and Executive Director Billy Smith. We look forward to continued participation in this program.”
One of the show’s youngest Midwest champions was Stratton Ferson of Denver, Iowa; he took home the Midwest Paint Horse Champion buckle in Youth Mares with WR Ima Timely Review, a 2010 palomino overo mare. The young horseman is in his first year of showing and was thrilled to receive the champion title with “Paige.”
“Going into the show I felt confident; I knew the competition would be strong, especially this being my first year showing,” Stratton said. “I worked really hard during the show season and in the ring. I think the main reason I won, though, is because I believed in my horse and in myself. I really enjoyed working with my horse, Paige, because she worked hard for me. She almost always does whatever I ask her to do, and I really appreciate that about her. I had so much fun with APHA. It was a great experience, and I can’t wait until next year!”
Unofficial results for the Midwest Paint Horse Championship follow:
- Open Halter Mares: Shesa Heartstopper, exhibited by Ron Doyle, owned by James Hinckley, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Open Halter Geldings: Bar Rescue, exhibited by Brandi Schuetz, owned by Scott and Brandi Schuetz, Highland, Illinois
- Open Trail: Dun N Country, exhibited by Hannah M. Lind, owned by Carol Timke, Prole, Iowa
- Open Hunter Under Saddle: Four The Glory, exhibited by Julie Marweg, owned by Lauren Zaddack, Hortonville, Wisconsin
- Open Western Pleasure: PS Y Not Be Good, exhibited and owned by Scott Boe, Red Wing, Minnesota
- Youth Mares: WR Ima Timely Review, exhibited by Stratton Ferson, owned by Kim Kass, Denver, Iowa
- Youth Geldings: Allocution, exhibited by Madison Brown, owned by Gregory and Anna Marie Simmet, New Ulm, Minnesota
- Youth Showmanship: Above It All, exhibited and owned by Brittany Disch, Monroe, Wisconsin
- Youth Hunter Under Saddle: Four The Glory, exhibited and owned by Laruen Zaddack, Hortonville, Wisconsin
- Youth Western Pleasure: Above It All, exhibited and owned by Brittany Disch, Monroe, Wisconsin
- Amateur Mares: Shesa Heartstopper, exhibited and owned by James Hinckley, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Amateur Geldings: Bar Rescue, exhibited by Brandi Schuetz, owned by Scott and Brandi Schuetz, Highland, Illinois
- Amateur Showmanship: Absoloot Glitz N Glam, exhibited and owned by Victoria Burger, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Amateur Hunter Under Saddle: Scotch With Roses, exhibited and owned by Sarah Bankord, Loves Park, Illinois
- Amateur Western Pleasure: Zippo Be Me, exhibited and owned by Kristen Hager, Washington, Iowa
