Ireland Cofrancesco Wins First World Championship Title With Vincenzo Zini in 3-Year-Old Geldings at 2013 AQHYA World Show

Ireland Cofrancesco was able to complete a goal that she shares with many youth exhibitors here at the 2013 AQHYA World Show. She won her first World Championship title.

Her partner in the win was Vincenzo Zini, a 3-year-old bay gelding by Fabio Zini and out of Sheza Virtuous Lady. Last year, the pair placed fourth in the 2-Year-Old Geldings class.

“The goal for this year was to be better than fourth,” she says. “So we practiced and practiced. Mitch Leonarski is my trainer, and he is just awesome.”

Along with Leonarski at her side, Cofrancesco had plenty of support from her #1 fan, her father, Peter Cofrancesco. The former AQHA President was emotional following his daughter’s first World Championship win today, but because the title was achieved with “Vinny,” it has special meaning.

“He’s a home-bred,” she says. “So he’s very, very special to us. He’s my favorite horse in the barn. I like going into his stall and playing with him. My Dad showed his mom and won with his mom at the World Show.”

“I’ve always liked him since he was born. I prefer bay geldings.”

Thanks to a lot of hard work, considerable practice, and plenty of encouragement from her family, Cofrancesco was able to lead Vinny to the win in a class of seven tough entries. Her trainer also gave her some last minute advice before she entered the pen.

“He told me to smile, stand up straight, and show the heck out of my horse,” she says.

Tomorrow, Cofrancesco will pilot Virtues, a 2009 sorrel mare by A Radiant Image and out of Sheza Virtuous Lady, by Statutory, in the Aged Mares class. The Reserve World Champion in the class today was Cade Prime with Ugonnakissmeornot, a sorrel gelding by Western Gunslinger and out of Im Dresed Phenomenal. The pair was also the first place Intermediate Champion.

Three-Year-Old Geldings-

1-Vincenzo Zini/Ireland Cofrancesco

2-Ugonnakissmeornot/Cade Prime- First place Intermediate

3-Boys N Toys/Monica Hamm

4-Vendicated/Justin Ware

5-Ima Secret Gigolo/Kaylee Hamm