APHA World Morning Halter/Over Fence Winners Include Drawdy, Cassata, Dengate, Berg, Banister, Swainston, Campbell

By: Brittany Bevis

Competition began bright and early this morning at the 2015 APHA Open/Amateur World Championship Show in Fort Worth, TX. Over in the Watt Arena, Amateur Mare Halter classes have been underway for the past four hours.

First up, Susan Drawdy led her filly named Sacred Sally to win an impressive Amateur Weanling Fillies class of 15 entries. The Reserve Champion was Robin Robinett with Keeping Faith. Third place was Patricia Breitberg with Essence of Chrome. Fourth place was Curtis Petersen with Hot Fire and Style. Rounding out the top five was Robert McCulley with MMR Tootee. The World Champion in the Amateur Solid Paint Bred Weanling Fillies was Andrea Olsen with Oh So Intriguing. The Reserve Champion was Amanda Wallinger with Acool Lady.

In a very large Amateur Yearling Mares class of 18 entries Bob Cassata led Red Hot N Stylish to win the World Champion title. The Reserve World Champion was Allyson Rotan with KR Lone Star Lola. Coming in third was Andrea Olsen with My Secret Dream. Fourth place was William Timan with Girls Got Guns. Fifth place was Anita Wiescamp with Im Secretly A Cowgirl. The World Champion in Amateur Solid Paint Bred Yearling Mares was Susan Darr with My Memmories. The Reserve Champion was Brad Nelson with Money In Your Eyes.

Red Hot N Stylish is a relatively new addition to the Cassata family. She was purchased just prior to the Iowa Breeders’ Halter Futurity by Bob’s lovely and supportive wife Joyce. Although Joyce doesn’t like to compete herself, she certainly has a good eye for a horse.

“We got her papers transferred really quickly before the show, and my wife and I got in the motorhome and went to Iowa!” Bob says. “We winded up winning a little over $10,000. She’s a great mare.”

Bob also planned to compete in the Amateur Aged Mares class today, but he was hesitant to switch over to his newly won belt buckle. “If the judges see I already have a buckle, they might not give me another one!” Bob jokes. As it turns out, his concern was unfounded, because Bob was also named the World Champion in Amateur Aged Mares with Cool Secrets N Lace. The Reserve Champion was Amanda Wallinger with Intentionally Made. Third place was Judy Ford with Execute Rules. Fourth place was Jean Ettinger with Heavenly Casual. Rounding out the top five was Tommy Eubanks with Angelica Imprinted.

In Amateur 2-Year-Old Mares, Craig Dengate led RJN Centerfold to a World Champion title to the delight of the crowd. The Reserve World Champion was Suzonne Franks with Marabella. Third place was Stephanie Fimmen with RJN Missheartbreaker. Fourth place was Cameron Dees with Beadsandbourbonstreet. Fifth place was Ronda Huffman with ShezMakinAcquisitions. The World Champion in the Amateur Solid Paint Bred 2-Year-Old Mares was Kelsey Gard with Ucan Call Me Rita. The Reserve Champion was Wendy Dietrich with JVF Elegant MS.

The winner of Amateur 3-Year-Old Mares was a very enthusiastic Marianne Berg leading Desperados Legacy. The Reserve Champion was Amanda Wallinger with Grace Kelley. Placing third was Terri Donsbach with TR Midnite Intention. Fourth place was Judy Ford with Shez Passionate. Fifth place was Kevin Hardastle with Sophisticated Playgirl. The Amateur Solid Paint Bred 3-Year-Old Mares World Champion was Thomas Coon with Elusive Elacion. The Reserve World Champion was Claire Aycock with TPR Fellas Sensation.

Meanwhile, over in the John Justin Arena, Over Fence classes have been underway. Winning Junior Working Hunter was Karen Banister with See My Double. The Reserve Champion was Mason Lyon with I Got Em Talkin. The World Champion in Preliminary Working Hunter was Kari Swainston with Hot Brooke Valentino. The Reserve Champion was Mason Lyon with Im Zipped All Right.  The World Champion in Senior Working Hunter was Kari Swainston with Hot Brooke Valentino. The Reserve Champion was Mason Lyon with Fancy Favors.

The World Champion in Amateur Working Hunter was Carol Campbell with Hot Roddin Iron. The Reserve Champion was Peyton Weldon with Big Expectations. Winning Novice Amateur Working Hunter was Rachel Walcoff with EFC Holesinmysocks. The Reserve Champion was Carol Campbell with Hot Roddin Iron.