APHA World Halter, Big Money, WCHA Winners Include Franks, Hernandez, Erhardt, Weiscamp, Watson, and More!

By: Brittany Bevis

The Watt Arena was transformed today into a Halter Horse enthusiast’s paradise with the top horses, breeders, exhibitors, owners, and trainers gathering to compete for big checks, fabulous prizes, and bragging rights during the APHA World Show, Big Money Futurity, and WCHA Halter classes.

Suzonne Franks kicked things off leading TNR Leading Lady to win the Big Money Futurity Weanling Fillies class and $5,767. “Kaylee” is a homebred filly by the Franks’ stallion, Kid Coolsified. “Billy [my husband] helped foal her out, and we saw her from the time she hit the ground until now when she’s making her show career debut. She has the most amazing neck we’ve ever seen on a baby. People think we work on it, but it’s just natural.”

Coming in third behind Suzonne and winning the Platinum Solid Paint Bred Weanling Fillies and a big check for $9,000 was Robin Robinett with TNR Delish. Robin purchased “Frankie” from the Franks and showed her at the recent Breeders’ Halter Futurity to win the Amateur Color Weanling Fillies class. Frankie is a Quarter Horse and Solid Paint Bred, so Robin has hopes that she may attend the Quarter Horse Congress and AQHA World Show this year.

“She’s a filly that’s the total package,” Robin says. “She has the appearance that she would be a great horse, not only now, but in the future as well. Hopefully, she will go on to be a good producer as well.”

In the Platinum Non Pro Weanling Fillies Breeders’ Futurity, Callie Hernandez led She’s That Cool to take home a payday for approximately $13,000! She was followed in Reserve by Bob Cassata with She’s Stylish. Third was Michael Kalkomey with Brooks Unique Lady. Fourth was Andrea Olsen with She’s So Radiant. Fifth was Jarret Ware with WF Stars In My Eyes.

The Hernandez family bred and raised “Hazel,” who is by He’s So That and out of a Kid Coolsified breeding stock mare. When Hazel first hit the ground, Callie’s initial impression was “Wow!”

“She’s always been really great legged and gorgeous,” Callie says. “I like how tall she is and how much air she has. She has a long neck and a very pretty face. Everybody has been mobbing us trying to buy her, but I’d like to keep her and see how she progresses.”

Later on in the show, Tim Finkenbinder will show this filly in open classes and Callie will compete in the amateur division.

Amy Erhardt led Illicit Intention to win the Big Money Non Pro Weanling Colts class. The Reserve Champion and Color Champion was Robin Bales with Affirmations. Third was Rebekah Herrmann with Intuit.

Amy just purchased “Harry” at the Breeders’ Halter Futurity from Harry Knight, who won the Amateur division with the colt. Today, Harry was able to win a $6,000 check for his new owner. After the World Show, Harry will head home to Amy’s ranch in Aubrey, Texas and he will be fit by Joe Engle.

“He’s so conformationally correct and very good legged,” Amy says. “He’s got a long future ahead of him, which is probably the most important thing to me.”

Anita Weiscamp led BPF Guilty Secrets to win Big Money Yearling Fillies. Claire Aycock was Reserve with Her Intension. Third was Mark Neibrugge with Cool Litl Doll. Fourth was Kenzie Maxwell with Let’s Get Cozy.

Anita purchased “Cher” at the Breeders’ Halter Futurity from Gary and Tammy Raak. “I just made a connection with her,” Anita says. “They’re such nice people. They gave me the opportunity, and I couldn’t pass it up. She’s a very nice mare and she’s fun to show. Obviously, this is the first time I’ve gotten to show her, but she’s just fun to be around.”

“She comes from some really great genetics. She is a Telasecret and out of a Bushy Park mare named She’s Not Guilty, who was phenomenal in her time. She’s just got that pizazz. The two judges that placed me first said she was a standout in the class. That’s a great compliment.”

Cher is a Quarter Horse, so the only reason Anita brought her to the APHA World Show was because of the big purses offered in the Big Money Futurity and WCHA Halter classes that were incorporated into the schedule this year. “This is a wonderful thing that they’ve incorporated WCHA classes. It’s a compliment to Billy Smith, because it brings money to the show and more people to the show who wouldn’t have normally attended.”

Speaking of money, Anita and Cher received a check for $4,232 for their win. “Not bad for an hour and a half’s work!”

In the Big Money Futurity Yearling Geldings, Raegan Watson led LLR He’s So Cool to take home a boatload of prizes. She won the class, in addition to being named the Highest Placing Paint Horse, the Highest Placing WCHA Owner/Breeder/Exhibitor, WCHA Color Champion, WCHA Open Champion, and WCHA Non Pro Champion. The Highest Placing PHBA horse was Monte Horn with BRT Elite. The Highest Placing ApHC horse was Emoji, led by Sheila McKenzie.

The Reserve Champion in the WCHA OBE was Wayne Bell with He’s The Package. Third was Suzonne Franks with TNR Constant Motive. In the WCHA Open class, the Reserve Champion was Monte Horn with BRT Elite. Third was Amanda Wallinger with Big Time Addiction. Fourth was Doug Anderson with Total Intention. Fifth was Wayne Bell with He’s The Package.

19-year-old Raegan was showing “Howie” today on behalf of her grandparents. She and this flashy colored Halter horse won the Platinum Non Pro Weanling Geldings last year, so she felt the bar was set high coming into the competition at this show.

Howie is by He’s So That and out of She’s Forever Cool, a mare by Forever Western.

“He’s pretty big for a yearling; I think that’s what the judges notice most,” Raegan says. “Also, he fits together conformationally. He has a really good neck, good hip, and his back is pretty short. He’s really balanced overall.”

Wrapping up the day, Kevin Hardcastle led IEM Amazin to win the Big Money Futurity Yearling Stallions and Color division of the class. The WCHA Color winner in Yearling Stallions was Dewey Smith with I’ve Got People. Dewey also led I’ve Got People to win WCHA Yearling Stallions and a check for $2,398.

Stay tuned for more Halter classes tomorrow here at the 2017 APHA World Show.