APHA Youth World Showmanship Champions are Samantha Stubblefield and Kendal Fellegy

By: Brittany Bevis

Two lovely, young ladies snagged the final Showmanship titles of the day at the 2018 APHA Youth World Championship Show.

First, Kendal Fellegy led One Graceful Krymsun to win 13 and Under Showmanship. The Reserve Champion was Avery Mortman with Hes Just A Touch More. Third was Alyssa La Gosh with Scenic Rio Norfleet. Fourth was Lauren Hall with Alotta Vested Pine. Fifth was Caroline Brickhouse with Cadets Honor.

In the first ever 18 and Under Showmanship class, Samantha Stubblefield led Even More Sensational to win her first World Championship title out of the 13 and under division. The 16-year-old partnered up with her new horse under the guidance of her new trainers, Simons Show Horses. Samantha and her 5-year-old gelding, “Dylan,” have been a team for only three months. So far, her favorite class to compete in with Dylan is a toss up between Showmanship and Horsemanship. Later on at the show, they will compete in Trail, Western Pleasure, and Horsemanship.

Samantha has been showing since she was 10 years old and has a previous World Championship title in 13 and Under Western Riding. Looking towards the future, she has a long-term goal of winning an All-Around title at the Youth World one day.

Samantha focused on several aspects of today’s challenging pattern in order to ensure that she would gain the maximum number of points under the judges. “We needed to focus on breaking down to a walk and to continue walking, but also keep a strong enough walk. Also, I had to make sure to get the square corner really square. I wanted to hit all the markers and really go big. Go big or go home!”

Samantha’s favorite part of this evening’s class was getting to share in her win with a friend and fellow barn mate, who was named the Reserve Champion, Mary Katherine Camp with Radicalized. “That was probably my favorite part. It was really great to win alongside a friend, especially a new friend who has welcomed me into the barn. She’s been really awesome with helping me out. It was really rewarding to win with her.”

“When it came down to the top three, I thought I maybe got third. Then, there were only two of us, and I thought I was Reserve. She is so polished, and I can’t see myself, so I didn’t know how I looked. It surprised me!”

Third place in the class was Renee Conklin with This Sheik Rocks. Fourth was Caroline Neilson with The Only Kiss To Envy. Fifth was Isabella Applegarth with Get The Sensation.