Trent Searles, Sydney Rivers, Colton Stewart, Erin Mask, and Kaylee Hamm Win AQHA Youth World Halter Titles

By: Brittany Bevis

Today was devoted entirely to Halter horse competition at the 2018 AQHA Youth World Show. First, Trent Searles led She’s That Radiant to win his first World Championship title in Yearling Fillies. He was also named the L2 Champion.

16-year-old Trent has been competing at the Youth World for the past three years. This was only his third time showing the brand, new filly he calls “Kate.”

“She came out of the pasture 12 weeks ago,” Trent says. “She didn’t know anything. Jeffrey Pait taught her everything. I forget she’s a yearling. She’s amazing. I’ve shown her three times: twice at the Big A and then here. Jeffrey showed her once, just to get her ready. I thought I needed more time, but I guess not!”

Trent believes Kate’s best asset is her mind. “She’s got a big butt, and her legs are amazing, but I think it’s her mind that sets her above the rest. She doesn’t move. She just stands there and looks pretty.”

Coming up next, Trent and Kate will be Congress bound to Ohio this fall.

Next up, Sydney Rivers not only won Yearling Geldings with Elio, she was also named the Reserve Champion in 2-Year-Old Mares with Existingsecretfinale. Elio is a striking, black, homebred gelding by Solaris, which made her first World Championship title very special indeed.

“He’s so right in the way he’s built,” Sydney says. “He’s got a real good physique. We really enjoy looking at him and having him in the barn. When we first started showing him, he was a little spunky. He had a little attitude; but, I’ll tell you what, he came out today and did a phenomenal job. Also, my trainer, Luke Castle, had him prepared very well for me.”

Sydney has been showing here at the Youth World since she was in fourth grade. Now that she’s 18, this is her final Youth World Show appearance before she heads off to nursing school in the fall. “We went out with a bang! At first I was a little worried about showing two horses back to back, but they both performed so well that it was a breeze.”

The Reserve Champion in Yearling Geldings was Lauren Gralla with Bad An Boujee. Third was Audrey Cole with Illicit Intention, who was also the 13 and under World Champion.

Colton Stewart led Gotta Classy Lady to win 2-Year-Old Mares. Colton has had “Prada” since she was five months old. She’s currently in training with Ross Roark.

15-year-old Colton is a third generation horseman, who’s following in the footsteps of his grandparents and parents, who have all shown horses. In fact, his grandfather plans to show one of Colton’s horses at the Select World this year.

When Colton isn’t in the show pen, you can find him playing linebacker for the Rockwall Yellow Jackets. When he graduates, Colton has his sights set on playing for LSU. We wondered if his football buddies back home will understand when he returns with a seven pound, golden horse trophy. “They will understand. It will take a little bit of time, and they will have to ask a lot of questions.”

Third place in 2-Year-Old Mares was Dylan Madden with Dramakwyn. Fourth was Claire Carroll with Perfecion. Fifth was Haleigh Holliday with ER A Secret Fox.

Erin Mask wore her lucky blue jacket from yesterday’s win to claim another World Championship title, this time in 2-Year-Old Geldings with Dunn Gunnin. The Reserve Champion was Millie Landon with Amazing Vaquero. Third was Trace Toteff with California Kool. Fourth was Colton Stewart with Classic Intention. Fifth was Audrey Cole with Guns and Leather. 

The Reserve Champion was Garrett Freeman with Zydaco. Third was Elizabeth West with Mister Over Easy.