Erin Bradshaw and John Simon Are APHA World Champions in Classic Am. Senior Western Pleasure

By: Brittany Bevis

All John Simonites unite! The beautiful 8-year-old bay tobiano stallion has done it again loping into the winner’s circle with owner Erin Bradshaw in the saddle. This afternoon, John Simon was crowned the World Champion in the Classic Amateur Senior Western Pleasure.

This dynamic duo has placed at the top of their Western Pleasure age division every year, achieving now two World Champion titles, two Reserve World Champion titles, and one third place finish. However, the last time they were named World Champions was in 2010, so it’s very good to be back on top.

Earlier in the show, Bradshaw and John Simon received a Reserve World Champion finish in Classic Amateur Trail and were named the Intermediate Champions in the event.

“That was probably the biggest accomplishment I could’ve had on him, just because it was one of the toughest Trail courses I have ever seen or ridden,” Bradshaw says. “We worked really hard. To me, it was the biggest accomplishment to be able to go out on a course that tough and, to top it all off, walk out with a neck ribbon. That was a big deal.”

Assisting Bradshaw with preparing John Simon for his Trail class was trainer Troy Lehn. When it comes time for John to return to his Western Pleasure roots, Bradshaw’s boyfriend, Scott Weiss, is the trainer of choice. Coming up on Thursday evening, Rusty Green will show John in Senior Western Pleasure.

While some people may have qualms about continuing to show a breeding sire just reaching his peak, Bradshaw has no worries about it affecting John’s performance or ability to sire future champions.

“I know he is a breeding stud, but he is just a great horse and he’s happy,” she says. “He loves his job. I don’t really see any reason not to show him. The biggest thing with John is just keeping him happy. He’s kind of like a dog; he communicates and lets you know when he is ready and when he is a little grumpy and you should back off. He lives at home and gets turned out. Honestly, when he’s not at a horse show, he lives the life of a breeding stallion.”

“I always look at other disciplines. If you look at racing, you have California Chrome. If you look at AQHA, you have Vitals Signs Are Good. I just think he is ahead of his time, and he’s a very special horse. The reason we only do two classes is because I love him and I don’t want to ever force him into early retirement. I just do what I know he can handle.”

Speaking of John’s other job… he’s been very busy lately working on cooking up a whole new generation of Mini-Mes.

“In his babies, I see his mindset and his looks; the majority of them come out bay tobianos,” she says. “The biggest thing, I think, is their mindset. They act just like him, and I think that goes hand in hand as to why he is still able to show and do what he does. It’s because he is exceptionally minded.”

“He was amazing today; he was so spot on. You can always tell, when you go to show him, if he’s ready. He just waits for your every move to tell him what to do. When I went to go in today, I kind of squeezed him and he was so reactive to everything I asked him to do. I knew he was as ready as he could be. Regardless of what happened, this was as ready as we can get.”

The Reserve World Champion spot saw a tough battle that came down to just one point difference. The Reserve World Champion was Elizabeth Roberts Brewer with Shes Inviting. Coming in third was Taylor Lynn Prince with One Flashy Sensation.

Classic Amateur Senior Western Pleasure–

1-John Simon/Erin Bradshaw

2-She’s Inviting/Elizabeth Roberts Brewer

3-One Flashy Sensation/Taylor Lynn Prince

4-Seems Like Heaven/Tami Dietrich-Dobbs

5-Beyond Sensational/Cody Caliendo

6-Sensational Blonde/Chelsea Bain

7-A Sudden Legacy/Desarae Gilley

8-Miss Impulsive/Blaike Koka

9-Only Roses Will Do/Michelle Sloan

10-Aintlonesomenomore/Jennifer VanHal