Jamie Devoe/Cadillac In Black Win L1 Am. Trail, Brooke Ingstad/HP Ima Foxy Dreamer Win L1 Am. Equitation

By: Brittany Bevis

The inclusion of a variety of Level 1 classes this year at the 2017 All American Quarter Horse Congress has provided amateur and youth exhibitors with the opportunity to compete against their peers.

First up this morning, Jamie Devoe rode her six-year-old gelding, Cadillac In Black, to win L1 Amateur Trail with a score of 233.5. Jamie picked out “Caddy” when he was just a yearling in the Reichert Sale. What was it about this pretty black gelding by Radical Rodder and out of a Zips Chocolate Chip mare that caught her eye? “He’s black, and I always go for black horses!” Jamie says. “I wanted to do Western all-around, because I had done so much Hunt Seat. Luckily, I still do Equitation on him.”

Later this evening, Jamie and Caddy will show in Equitation, and tomorrow they will compete in Amateur Trail. Earlier in the show, they placed eighth in Showmanship.

It has been 21 years since Jamie has won a Congress Championship title, and she says a lot has changed since then. She’s had to adapt to a new way of riding. Thankfully, she can rely on the expert guidance of Bruce Vickery and Anthony Montes to guide her. “I’ve been with Bruce for about one year now.”

“For this pattern, Bruce said to keep the forward motion going and not to let him go too slow. Also, we worked a lot on backing through the L. I think he plussed his back through, turn in the box, lope overs and sidepass.”

Coming up at the AQHA World Show, Jamie will show Caddy in Trail, Showmanship, Horsemanship, and Equitation.

The Reserve Champion was Eric Mendrysa with Zippos Gold N Sonnet. Third was Adam Parks with The Rocknroll Cowboy. Fourth was Callie Albers with Bi Krymsun. With was Alex Chavez with Chex Me Im Cute.

Brooke Ingstad rode HP Ima Foxy Dreamer to win L1 Amateur Equitation. Brooke and her seven-year-old gelding, “Dozer,” have had quite a show so far, being named Reserve Champion in Horsemanship and third in Showmanship prior to their win in Equitation. They currently compete under the guidance of Brett Clark.

“He’s a really sweet horse and so sensitive. He’s a big teddy bear. My mom showed him for a couple of years, and we’ve just really started to come together as a team.”

In this pattern, Brooke feels she and Dozer plussed their back through and walk. “Honestly, the only part that was shaky was the simple lead change. He really loves this class, because he like to go forward. We’re working on getting a flying lead change solidified. I would of course love to add Western Riding.”

Coming up at the AQHA World Show, this team will compete in Trail and Horsemanship.

The Reserve Champion was Madison Nirenstein with Bellieve He’s Blazing. Third was Whitney Fields with Get A Laig Up. Fourth was Ashley Lasarenko with Sleep Walking Away. Fifth was Courtney Archer with Aint Goa Lot.