Mitch Leonarski Leads TR Picturesque to First World Champion Title For Owners in APHA 2-Year-Old Mares

By: Brittany Bevis

For Marlene and Marlena Lucas of Lester, PA, they were simply hoping to take home a top five finish and possibly an embroidered halter from the 2013 APHA World Show. Their trainer, Mitch Leonarski, well-exceeded their expectations when he led TR Picturesque to a World Champion title in 2-Year-Old Mares today.

“Miss P” is a double-registered mare by Quarter Horse stallion, Mr. Touchdown Kid, and out of Dee Sea Supreme Gal. The Lucas family purchased the mare four months ago from Tim Finkenbinder.

“Mitch found her, and we’ve had her just four months,” Marlena Lucas says. “She was just in a field kind of hanging out. Her name is Miss P because she is the only Paint mare in a barn full of Quarter Horses. But, I think it really stands for Miss Priss. She has the best attitude. She’s just so cool.”

The day before, Marlena led Miss P to a sixth place finish in the Amateur division of the class. She was pleased, but had no expectation that her horse would be named the World Champion in the Open division today.

“I was hoping for top five and a halter,” she says. “I just wanted an embroidered halter! I’ve had horses since I was three, and this is our first World Champion.”

Marlena’s mother, Marlene, adds, “She’s had riding horses most of her life. Then, we got back into halter. It’s more low key time-wise for Marlena. We go out to the barn two to three times a week and work with her.”

“Mitch is phenomenal. He brought her from nothing to what she is today.”

Because Miss P is in fact double-papered, the plan is to show her at both APHA and AQHA events next year. Marlene’s niece, Jenna, will also be showing the mare in the Youth division.

Congratulations to the Lucas family on their first World Championship finish.

2-Year-Old Mares–

1-Tr Picturesque/Mitch Leonarski

2-Intentionally Made/Olin Parker

3-Cool Secrets N Lace/JT Mitchell

4-Kids Rain/Trisha Shorten Armstrong

5-Double Shot of Hot/Jodi Finkenbinder

6-Lap Dancin Tees/Ray Barton

7-Timeless Ruby/Mike McMillian

8-Casual Caress/Richard Price

9-Too Cool To Execute/Thomas Scheckel

10-Ss Femme Fatale/David Eller

2-Year-Old Solid Paint Bred-Mares–

1-Far Too Glamorous/Olin Parker

2-Tees Dominant Diva/Matthew Henderson

3-Tpr Fellas Sensation/Terry Sartain

4-Hjh Blondie/Leon Borcherding

5-Sheza Legal Tender/Jodi Finkenbinder

6-Miss Lovely Lily/Jeffrey Isen