AQHA World Show Wins Go to Berris, Weakly, Isbell, Jones, Bradshaw, and More

By: Brittany Bevis

Today’s classes at the AQHA World Show have run the gamut from Halter and Pleasure Driving to Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle.

Chris Jones started things off by winning Junior Western Pleasure L2 with Full Drape for Debra Debock. Josh Weakly led It’s Gameday to win Amateur Aged Geldings. The Reserve Champion was Mariah Gipson with DMM Secret Sinsation. Third was Shirley McCary with Mr Bobby Football.

This is the third World Championship title for Josh and It’s Gameday, who was recently named the Amateur Reserve Grand Champion at the Congress. The 6-year-old gelding has won every time Josh has shown him here at the World Show.

“He’s one that you like to show, because he goes out there and stands so good. He’s good-legged and has no problems. Like old faithful, he’s just a good horse.”

This is also a horse that Josh feels comfortable letting his two young kids, Jax and Knox, mess around with. “Last year at the Congress, last year here, and this year at the Congress, when we take his win picture, Jax sits on his back. I’d say we will have to do that again this year. It’s kind of gotten to be a tradition. Also, I’ve worn this coat every time I’ve shown him, and I’m kind of a superstitious person.”

Coming up next, Josh has a weanling colt, yearling filly, and two-year-old gelding left to show.

Tammy Bradshaw led Doin What She Likes to be named the L2 Champion in the Amateur Aged Mares class. 4-year-old “Sammy” is by Telusive and out of a Tee Coolest mare. She’s fit and in training with Mike McMillian.

Today class was a very long, but Sammy held in there until this bitter end. “She did great until the last five minutes and then she was over it, but I kind of was too! It was worth it, though! This is the first time that I’ve won a belt buckle. I love to win; but, for me, I like the challenge and the competitiveness of it.”

Tammy likes this mare’s feminine eye-appeal and her personality. “When I look at her, she’s one of those mares that has a lot of pretty. She’s not the most massive horse. She’s feminine and pretty. She’s really sweet to show. She’s got a little quirk; but, when you work it just right, she’s perfect.”

“We might be retiring her after this, but she’s only four points from her Superior. If I can talk Terry into it, we will get those last four points before he breeds her.”

Frank Berris led Bee Jewelled to win Amateur Aged Mares. The Reserve Champion was Sarah Headley with Alluring Intention. Third was Elizabeth Thompson Beauchamp with Equities.

Frank and Bee Jewelled were the Grand Champions last year at the Congress, so they decided to stay home this year to focus their efforts on the World Show. It turned out to be a good pan because every big horse turned out for this class. “That was the toughest class,” he says. “When you get to the Aged Mares, now you’re with the big girls. There’s a half a dozen horses that could have been the World Champion and some that are World Champions and Congress Champions. It was an honor.”

“This is her fifth World Championship. I bought her as a yearling from Joy Stehney, and I just had to have her. She keeps maturing and is more beautiful than ever. She has a beautiful head and tiny, little ears. She’s beautiful bodied but not overdone. If she’s got a hole, I don’t know where it is. I’ve had a lot of good horses, and I’ve had a lot of good mares that I’ve won at the World Show with, but this is absolutely the most beautiful mare I’ve seen.”

Brian Isbell rode RR Chocolate Assets to win Senior Hunter Under Saddle L2. The Reserve Champion was Myles McLean-Foss with Great I Will Be. Third was Lisa Ligon with Lazydayz R Here Again.

Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.TV for a video interview with rider, Brian Isbell; trainer, Alyse Roberts; and owner, Brandi Scafe.