APHA World Novice Youth Showmanship Champions are Margaret Applegarth and Ady Kallay

By: Brittany Bevis

Showmanship day is well underway here at the 2018 APHA Youth World Show in Fort Worth, Texas. Precision moves, sparkly outfits, and confident competitors ruled the morning in Novice Youth Showmanship classes.

The first World Champion was Margaret Applegarth with Sharp Dressed Zippo in Novice Youth 14-18 Showmanship. The Reserve Champion was Fallon Owen with Frankly Sensational. Third was Macie Soderquist with Ima Mega Sensation. Fourth was Grace Moreland with Always My Choice. Fifth was Caitlyn Knight with Goodandtite.

We interviewed Margaret at a previous Youth World, when she won Western Pleasure with her former horse, but this is her first time winning a Showmanship title. This partnership is relatively new as well. What started out as a lease, just became official two weeks ago, when the Applegarth family purchased 11-year-old Sharp Dressed Zippo, aka “Cooper.”

16-year-old Margaret loves to show Cooper in all pattern classes and will compete in Trail, Western Riding, and Horsemanship later at the Youth World, but Trail is her favorite.

For this particular pattern, Margaret practiced lining up properly on the judge, with her trainer, Carly Veldman-Parks. “We practiced a lot getting the spot for his hip on the judge,” she says. “Also, I thought he had a nice extended trot, fast set up, and good turns.”

Margaret and Cooper plan to celebrate their big win by doing Trail practice tonight and maybe snacking on a few treats. “He is the friendliest horse ever. He’s already gotten multiple treats today… His favorite are peppermints!”

11-year-old Ady Kallay led Gotta Be Sensational to win Novice Youth Showmanship 13 and Under. The Reserve Champion was Meadow Schwandt with Pick Your Pleasure. Third was Kaylynn Heitman with Hunting Blue Skies. Fourth was Kayla Martin with Wicked Roses. Fifth was Lauren Hall with Alotta Vested Pine.

Ady and her new horse, “Joey,” have had great success already at the Youth World Show. They’ve been crowned World Champions in 13 and Under Equitation and Reserve World Champions in Novice Youth 13 and Under Hunter Under Saddle.

Ady has been riding and showing horses since she was five years old, but she only became a team with Joey in early January of this year. They currently compete under the guidance of Maestas Show Horses. In addition to showing horses, this talented and poised equestrienne also does hockey and competitive dance back home in Canada.

“I thought the showmanship pattern had some challenging elements, like the hip alignment, and I liked the extended trot,” she says. “Also, Arturo told me to look for a spot on the wall, so I would know where to stop on the judge and that helped. He was encouraging me. He told me that I knew what to do and that I got this!”

Despite her cool demeanor outside of the show pen, Ady admits that she does get nervous. Thankfully, she has a good luck charm. “One time, the person who bands my horse dropped his eye glasses in my horse’s stall, and we couldn’t find them. I eventually did find them, and I’ve kept them because they have been good luck. I used them at this horse show. He said he has other pairs, so it was fine.”

Later on in the show, Ady and Joey will compete in Horsemanship, Trail, and Western Riding.

Because she does, on occasion, get a little nervous, Ady has some advice she’d liked to share with her fellow competitors. “I would say good luck and that they will do great. I would tell them just to imagine that they’re at home and their trainer is helping them. You’ve come all this way and now you’re here and you will do great!”

Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com to see how will take home the top spots in 13 and Under and 18 and Under Showmanship later today.