AjPHA 13 and Under and 14-18 Western Pleasure World Champions Are Figueroa and Meckley

By: Brittany Bevis

Ms. Rebecca Figueroa claimed yet another World Champion title here at the 2015 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show, this time aboard her back and white mount, Talk About Lazy. Figueroa and “Lazy” were named the World Champions in 13 and Under Western Pleasure. Coming in Reserve was Caroline Nielson with Sensational Dee. Third place was Samantha Stubblefield with Only Roses Will Do.

The crowd saw a World Show first-timer and Intermediate rider win one of the most coveted buckles of the show in 14-18 Western Pleasure. Taylor Meckley rode her horse, Sleepin It Off, to win the class. She was followed in Reserve by Lucie Lundquist with Optimized, who won Novice Youth 14-18 Western Pleasure just a few classes prior. Third place was Allie Fink with Only Good Times. Fourth was 15-year-old gelding, Brokers Lucky Kid, with Mackenzie Preston in the saddle. Rounding out the top five was Marguerite Camp with Radicalized.

This is 17-year-old Taylor Meckley’s first time competing at the AjPHA Youth World Show and just her second horse show with new trainers, Jeffery and Jenna Gibbs.

“We purchased Sleepy last year from Wade Spell, and we’ve taken him to mostly Pinto shows last year and this year,” Taylor says. “He’s an amazing horse, the best horse I’ve ever ridden.”

“This win feels really amazing. I was not expecting it. I was hoping to top ten, but I wan’t counting on it. He felt very smooth and really steady, more so than in my preliminaries. He carried me around the ring very well!”

Currently, Sleepy, a 5-year-old gelding by Too Sleepy To Zip, solely competes in Western Pleasure, but Taylor is looking forward to adding Trail and Western Riding to their repertoire of classes.

It’s no surprise that 14-18 Western Pleasure is one of the most competitive classes here at the Youth World Show, and Taylor feels very appreciative to have been recognized.

“It was amazing,” she says. “It’s a really deep class. I was shocked. Especially, Lucie Lundquist, who was Reserve, has always been amazing. I’ve always admired how good of a rider she is.”

Congratulations to all of the riders who were recognized for their hard work today at the 2015 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show!

14-18 Western Pleasure:

1- Sleepin It Off/Taylor Meckley

2- Optimized/Lucie Lundquist

3- Only Good Times/Allie Fink

4- Brokers Lucky Kid/Mackenzie Preston

5- Radicalized/Marguerite Camp

13 and under Western Pleasure:

1- Talk About Lazy/Rebecca Figueroa

2- Sensational Dee/Caroline Nielson

3- Only Roses Will Do/Samantha Stubblefield

4- Beyond Sensational/Trey Dutton

5- Justified Expense/Chase Peffly