AjPHA Youth World Western Riding Champions Include Abigail Love, Georgia Vernal, and Karlee Shiery

By: Brittany Bevis

After a full day of Trail competition, youth riders switched gears, transitioning into Western Riding. First up, Gillespie Show Horses completed another clean sweep, this time in a Western class, with Georgia Vernal being named the World Champion with Fascination Sensation in Novice Youth Western Riding and Hannah Stokan and Gallant Zippo being named Reserve.

This is Georgia’s first time winning a World Championship title in Western Riding. “I’ve been close,” she says. “I was third, two years ago, and then Shannon won Junior Western Riding with him, but I always find a way to mess it up! Every single time. I know that my horse can do it, but I had to make myself believe I could. Two years later, and I finally got it!”

For 17-year-old Hannah, this is the first time she’s won a Reserve Championship title since she was in the walk-trot division. Today, her partner was a 10-year-old gelding named “Gilley.”

“I leased Gilley in March, so this is only our fourth or fifth show,” Hannah says. “We matched really quickly, and it all came together so fast. I wasn’t even supposed to show here. I showed at the Pinto World Show, but then it ended up that I got to come here. I’m really happy.”

Both ladies were able to rely on trainer Shannon Gillespie’s expertise in this particular discipline. “She tells us not to rush,” Georgia says. “Especially on the line. Also, she says not to go too slow. It’s a really weird pace, because you feel like you’re going too fast to be in a western saddle. But, if you don’t have the correct pace, your changes won’t be as smooth, and you won’t get a plus on your changes.”

“She always says just do one change at a time,” Hannah adds. “Don’t look for the next change. Focus on what you’re doing right then. We count 1, 2, 3, change or 1, 2, change, depending on how the line is set up. You kind of have to gauge how big the arena is.”

The third place horse and rider team in Novice Youth Western Riding was Cassidy Watters with Sudenly Sophisticated. Fourth was Sabine Lazo with The Ultimate Attitude. Fifth was Devyn Ritchey with Inspired By Real.

Then, Karlee Shiery rode TC Hummer to be named World Champion in 13 and Under Western Riding. The Reserve World Champion was Kristen McPherson with Twenty Four. Third place was Chandler Ennis with Could Be Sensational. Fourth was Sydney Replogle with Who Painted Me. Fifth was Felicity Martin with Keoko Sky.

Finally, Abigail Love won her first World Championship title with Sensational Hannah in a tough 14-18 Western Riding class. This is only Abigail’s second time showing “Hannah.” Her first was at the Pinto World Show where she won Western Riding, Trail, and Showmanship and was Reserve in Horsemanship. Coming off a very successful Pinto World, Abigail had high hopes for the Paint World, but knew there were no guarantees.

Earlier in the show, Abigail and Hannah placed fifth in Showmanship and made the 14-18 Trail finals that will take place tomorrow morning. They also plan to compete in Horsemanship tomorrow evening. This team currently competes under the guidance of James Saubolle and has for the past two years. “He has changed everything about how I ride and helped with my confidence. He is the best person for us. I love him.”

“I’ve been showing Paint Horses since I was just five years old with Who Painted Me, aka ‘Taco,'” she says. “But, Hannah has always been my favorite horse. She’s so pretty, and her movement is so graceful. Her front leg is so pretty and lofty. My favorite class to show her in is Western Riding. She pushes off my legs easily, and, when she changes, she throws you out of the saddle. I’ve never had a good western rider before.”

Abigail and Hannah executed a near perfect Pattern #4 to claim the win today in a steep Western Riding class filled with multiple World Champions. “I liked having the line be first, because that got it out of the way. That’s always the part I’m most nervous for because sometimes it can get out of hand. I was very pleased with her changes today.”