Champions During Day 1 of AQHA Youth World Include West, Froman, Blackwell, Beauchamp, Black, and More

By: Brittany Bevis

A number of champions were crowned during Day 1 of the AQHA Youth World Show today in Oklahoma City.

Elizabeth West and Mister Over Easy were named the World Champions in Aged Geldings for the second year in a row. Elizabeth has been partnered up with 6-year-old “Easy” for a few years now under the guidance of Tom Robertson, who happened to be presenting the awards in today’s class, providing a special moment for the pair.

“Easy keeps getting better and better,” she says. “He’s by Ecredible and out of Im Overdressed. We won at the Congress during his three-year-old year and was Reserve Grand Champion two years ago. Last year was my first World title, which was amazing. He always presents himself well. He’s very correct, and his head and neck are beautiful. He flows and is pretty to look at.”

Elizabeth will be heading to TCU to compete on their Western Equestrian team in the fall, which will limit some showing for the remainder of her youth year, but she plans to attend the Congress for one final youth performance.

“There is a lot of pressure coming back [to the Youth World]. I try to think about that I’ve already accomplished my biggest goal, but it’s always fun to come back and do it again because there is nothing better than a World Championship.”

Reserve win the class was Illicit Intention and Peyton Baxter. Third was Lu Johnny and Eli Ronk. The winner of Aged Geldings L2 was Elio and Macy Blackwell. Reserve was Grandiso and Jodi Callham. This team was also first in 13 and under. Third was Dinnero and Victor Beauchamp. This team also won Aged Geldings L1.

In 13 and under Showmanship, Collin Froman showed the ladies how to get it done with My Dream Remembered by his side. Collin and his 12-year-old gelding “Hank” have been a team for just one year.

“He can basically do anything,” Collin says. “He’s what you would call an all-around horse.”

Collin is competing in two disciplines here at the show- Showmanship and Horsemanship. “Showmanship is my favorite class. I feel like it’s a class that requires cooperation. When I’m on top of the horse, it’s a little bit harder to understand what they’re feeling and what they’re doing; but, when I’m right next to them, I can see what they’re doing and can help them through it, and they can also help me.”

Collin has numerous APHA World Championships to his name, but this is his first AQHA win. “I didn’t expect to win. I thought I might get Top 10, but winning is definitely a surprise to me.”

This young man has had a very busy day, competing in Halter and then Level 2 Showmanship right before the 13 and under finals. A small misstep cost him a trip to the Level 2 finals, but amazingly he was able to refocus and come back for a win in Level 3.

“I just did Level 2 Showmanship right before this class, so I made sure to review the pattern, correct my mistakes, and apply that to this pattern. There were different patterns, but they all have similar things. I evaluated the level 3 pattern before we got here, watched a couple of draws, and went in.”

“I’ve learned over time that it doesn’t matter how I place. I’m doing what I enjoy, which is competing in Showmanship.”

Reserve was The Perfect Kryme and Camille Kennedy. Third was Pure Lotto and Ava Hathaway. Fourth was Km Genuinely Best and Emma Gore. Fifth was Styles Sophisticated and Kenzie Bracken.

The winner of L1 Aged Mares was Delightness and Jordan Hamill. Reserve was Sonitas Done Good and Holly Driscoll. Third was Sheza Hot Dream and Rachel Keeler. Fourth was Jeans Saving Grace and Presley McMillian. Fifth was Cool Girl Code and Ellistin Morey.

Youth Performance Halter Geldings L3, L2, and L1 was won by Alexa Victoria Black with Huntin A Hot Cowgirl. Youth Aged Mares was won by Camren Randall with Shameles. Reserve was Katherine West with Apleezing. Third was Trent Searles with Shes That Radiant. Jordan Hamill was the winner with Delightness in Aged Mares L2.