AQHA World Halter Champions Include Roark, Robertson, Pait

By: Brittany Bevis

As the AQHA World Show quickly draws to a close, we have a number of World Champions to congratulate in Open Halter classes. Ross Roark led Jack E Boy to with Weanling Geldings for Richard Donnelly, who also won in the amateur division last week. Reserve was Luke Castle with FG Defender. Third was Chris Arentsen with Gotta Love Luke. Fourth was Andy Staton with Hez All The Feels. Fifth was Ted Turner with Ese Winner.

Tom Robertson led He Is The Exception to win Yearling Geldings for Jimmy Roth. Reserve was Ross Roark with Tattle Tailz. Third was Tim Finkenbinder with Hr Ante Up. Fourth was Luke Castle with So So Secretive. Fifth was Ted Turner with FG Justified.

Tom has been a part of this Kid Coolsified bred gelding’s career from the beginning.

“He’s a special colt,” Tom says. “He’s so balanced and so pretty that everyone thinks he’s a filly. He’s been like that from day 1. We picked him out as a baby. He came here last year and showed in the WCHA class and was Reserve. Then, he won at the Congress and was unanimous in amateur and open. He’s got a great attitude and always has his ears up.”

Winning 2-Year-old Mares was Jeffrey Pait with Shes That Radiant. Reserve was Ross Roark with Fantasyz. Third was Tom Robertson this Apleezing. Fourth was Tim Finkbinder with I’msecretly Funsized. Fifth was Steve Ferguson with CF Chicken E.

“Kate” has had an exceptional year, winning 2-Year-Old Mares and Youth Mares at the Congress and being named the Open and Youth Grand Champion Mare. In addition, her owner, Trent Searles, won at the Youth World this year.

“We picked her up last year in April from Phil and Sue Drawdy,” Jeffrey says. “I took a look at her and brought her up out of the pasture and she’s been good to us.”

Jeffrey explains why he believes the judges are so attracted to this He’s So That X Radiant Image daughter bred mare.

“It’s a really nice group of two-year-old mares. Her class is one of the deepest classes of all the Halter. She’s got that little extra, and it all comes together when she comes in the pen. Everything fits together on her just a little bit better. She’s a perfect Quarter Horse.”

What’s next for Kate? “We haven’t really chatted much beyond this horse show. This was something she hadn’t won yet, and we were really trying to accomplish that, which she did today. Definitely through December she will get turned out and have a little bit of R&R. We did that with her last year, and it was really good for her. She grew and matured a lot. We’re going to kick back and take it easy for a while. She’s earned her keep so far.”

Ross Roark led Enchanting Intention to win 3-Year-Old Mares for Steve and Kathy Headley. Reserve was Steve Ferguson with Sheza Secret Fantasy. Third was Ted Tuner with In Exces. Fourth was Dewey Smith with Blue Ribbons N Lace. Fifth was Jason Smith with BPF Guilty Secrets.

Finally, Ross led Lu Scion to win 3-Year-Old Geldings for Bob Cassata. Reserve was Luke Castle with Maui Jym. Third was Buddy Laney with BPF Fear Factor. Fourth was Chris Arentsen with Big Time Addiction. Fifth was Dewey Smith with Mr MVP. We chatted with JR Cook, who led Lu Scion to win Amateur 3-Year-Old Geldings last week. Click here to read.