Abigail Hardy, Madeline Keyes, and Caroline Bradley Win Over Fence Classes at AQHA Youth World

By: Brittany Bevis

Today’s World Champions at the AQHA Youth World Show are experts in flying fast and flying high. First, the always smiling Madeline Keyes rode Classic Circle to win Working Hunter. The Reserve Champion was Abigail Hardy with My Secret Past. Third was Julia Furlong with Executive Hotrodder. Fourth was Madelyn Graf with One Sweet Mercedes. Fifth was Madison Petrus with PS First Honor.

Next, it was Abigail’s turn in the winner’s circle in Equitation Over Fences with My Secret Past. The Reserve World Champion was Madeline Keyes with Classic Circle. Third was Abigail Newton with One Hot Signature. Fourth was Sara Eveleigh with Riding To Win. Fifth was Julia Furlong with Executive Hotrodder.

This is the first World Championship title for 16-year-old Abigail and 13-year-old “Kam,” who have been a team for the past five years.

“I thought my ride was wonderful,” Abigail says. “But I did think I maybe had a few short fences that could’ve caused something wrong, but I didn’t watch any of the other girls, so I didn’t have any idea how anyone else did. I was so surprised!”

“I started crying. It was the best thing ever. I was so happy.”

Also today, Abigail and Kam were Reserve in Working Hunter and Reserve in Jumping. Earlier in the show, they were 8th in Hunter Hack. Coming up next, Abigail will compete in Hunter Under Saddle and Equitation with her other horse, The Best Kruze.

Finally, Caroline Bradley rode Art In The Air to win her first AQHA Youth World title in Jumping. Today marks nine months since Caroline sustained a torn ACL from playing basketball and had to undergo surgery. It’s taken a while to rehab and recover, but both she and “Moose” were feeling great in today’s finals.

“Moose is amazing. He’s so sweet. He eats all the time. He will do anything. He’s the greatest jumper. Any distance I put him at, he jumps so well. He’s willing to take anything for me.”

11-year-old Moose and Caroline have been together for a year and a half. The 18-year-old just graduated from high school and, although she has Congress wins to her credit, this is her first World Championship win.

“David Miller and Scott Jones found Moose for me and helped start us off together. Actually, last year, Moose won at the World Show in Working Hunter with Keri Guanciale.”

Transitioning from Working Hunter and Eq Over to Jumping takes a bit of adjustment, but Caroline and Moose were up for the task today.

“Definitely, I needed more pace from my Equitation round to this one, just so it didn’t have a time fault or anything. In the warm up pen, we raised the jumps a bit so he would tuck really well. When he gets that pace, and he gets on that step, and he takes that first jump, he’s there every step of the way. He takes it like a champ every single time.”

The Reserve Champion was Abigail Hardy with My Secret Past. Third was Madelyn Graf with One Sweet Mercedes. Fourth was Karrington Christmas with CD Long Stockings. Fifth was Ryan Dailey with So Blue For You.