Afternoon WCHA Big Money APHA World Halter Winners Include Smith, Coon, and More

By: Brittany Bevis

This afternoon continued with big checks, big classes, and big smiles all around for some new WCHA Big Money Futurity winners. First, Julie Smith led An The Winner Is to a big win in the Big Money Non Pro Senior Weanling Colts.

This is a special win for Julie, because she and her husband, Jason, raised the colt. “We flushed the mare last year and got twins. He actually has a twin brother showing next week in the Weanling Stallion class. They are by My Intention and out of A Mornings Verse. Chad Beus owns his brother. They don’t look alike at all. His brother is more liver-colored and a bit smaller.”

“Louie” was shown last week at the Breeders Halter Futurity and came home with a non-pro title. Later on in the show, they will compete in the WCHA version of this class as well as the Platinum Futurity and Amateur and Open classes.

The Smith family has had a very busy day with ten horses competing in different classes, but Julie is used to it, being a horse trainer’s wife. “It can be hard sometimes, because your horse gets put on the back burner. Everyone else’s horses do need to get broke and look their best, because they’re paying for a job to be done. I don’t show as often as I used to, because of conflicts, but that’s ok.”

We wondered if Julie has any qualms about her horse trainer also being her husband. “I’m ok with him [telling me what to do]. That’s his job!” she laughs. “The main thing he tells me is not to use my ears up. He always impresses that upon me. He says to wait to use them until I need them.”

The Reserve Champion in the class was Steven Britt with Southern Gunslinger. Third was James Kifer with JMK Move On Back. Fourth was Mark Niebrugge with Lego My Ego. Fifth was Carolyn McMillian-Gibson with Fearocious.

Next, Thomas Coon scored two back-to-back win. First, he led Enspiring to win Big Money Non Pro Yearling Mares. The Reserve Champion was Kyle Parker with Cinderella Style. Third was Greg Davis with TNR Delish. This team was the Color Champion. Fourth was Jan Anderson with TNR Estonishing. Fifth was Bob Cassata with She’s Stylish. 

Enspiring, aka “Lily,” is a relatively new addition to the family. She was purchased in January from Jason Smith. “She’s by Mr Elusive and out of Top Down Mazeratti. [My wife] Mimsi showed her and was Reserve at the Select World, and [my trainer] Ted Turner was second with her at the Breeders Halter Futurity. Today, I was four firsts.”

What first struck Coon about this pretty filly was her color. He’s also partial to this particular bloodline. “We love the bays. Also, she’s really good legged and has a lot of balance. [Our other horses] Entrigue and Dream Big Dreams are all out of the same daddy. We like Mr E.”

Next, Coon led Hez One Cool Dude to win Big Money Non Pro Yearling Geldings. The Reserve Champion was Joy Stehney with Big N Handsome. Third was Wilburn Archer with All In All Done. This team was the Color Champion. Fourth was Dan Fox with FR Rockstar. Fifth was Ashley Parker with Chosen.

Coon raised the Palomino that’s by Mr Elusive and out of Fellas Are Cool. “Ted showed him at the Breeders Halter Futurity last week and was in the top five. He won Premier Open Gelding at the Palomino World Show. I lost the tiebreaker in the Amateur Premier, but he won his class. He’s been a great horse.”

“He gets a lot of his size from his dad. He has big bones, a big hip, and lots of muscle. He’s my boy.” Although Coon has a soft spot for “Twister,” he admits that Lily is his favorite. “He’s a great show horse, but I’m partial to showing mares. It seems like they have a little more fire and more finesse.”

After four hours of competing in Halter, Coon walked away with roughly $10,000. Not a bad payday.