AQHA Youth Performance Halter World Champion Titles Go to Martz and McKay

By: Brittany Bevis

The first World Champions of the 2015 AQHA Youth World Show have been crowned in Oklahoma City and they consist of a veteran and a newbie. First up, Paulina Martz led her 8-year-old bay mare “Hershey” to a win in a tough class of 30 Performance Halter mares.

Paulina and Hershey were the near unanimous choice of the judges with four firsts and one second place finish under judges Tim Finkenbinder, Steve Cruse, Pierre Briere, Jim Dudley, and Larry Little respectively. Hershey is by RL Best of Sudden and out of Chocolate Only.

This is the third year Paulina has competed with her mare after taking over the lead from big sister Chelsea. Last year, the pair were named the Reserve Champions in the class, and they were named the World Champions in 2013. Although there was certainly some tough competition in the class today, Paulina was focused solely on Hershey.

“I honestly didn’t really pay much attention to the competition, because I was more worried about Hershey,” she says. “It was one of the best times she’s shown for me. She’s really good about her ears and paying attention to me. Also, we had a good spot at the front of the line.”

While it might not be apparent to those in the stands, or even the judges, Paulina is competing at the Youth World with a broken left wrist she sustained from a minor horse accident just a month ago. Showing in Halter wasn’t too much of a challenge, because she leads with her right hand. However, competing in Western Pleasure and Trail later this week could prove to be a bit more difficult. Still, Paulina feels up to the challenge. “I have three different braces that I can change to wear under my different outfits!’

In the very next class, Performance Halter Geldings, Paulina led Lets Shake Em Up to a seventh place finish. Winning the World Champion title in unanimous fashion was 13-year-old, World Show first-timer, Sophia McKay with The Kids Story. Sophia just started showing the six-year-old gelding she calls “Samson” in March of this year after taking over for her grandmother. Sophia’s favorite aspects of Samson are his beautiful, long mane and playful personality.

“My grandma got him when he was very small,” Sophia says. “She showed him for a while, but then she couldn’t show him anymore, so I started showing him in March of this year. My trainer, Brad Pitts, showed him in Ranch Riding and got his ROM.”

“I was hoping [for a title], but I really didn’t know if I was going to get first. He was really good, but there were a lot of other good horses.”

Joining Sophia to celebrate her big win today are her mother, father, sister, and friends, Carly Pitts, Vicki Pitts, and Katie Bussing. A group dinner is planned later this evening to celebrate.

“This is amazing! You don’t believe it until it happens.”

Congratulations to both of these young ladies on their big wins today!

Performance Halter Mares- 

1- Onlythebestchocolate/Paulina Martz

2- CK Mardi Gras/Katie Bussing

3- Lighten Up Rainbo/Carley Shockley

4- Only Invite The Best/Blake Edler

5- Natural Order/Savannah Hauer

13 and Under winner- Shelby Holmes/Miss Kane Is Invited

Performance Halter Geldings-

1- The Kids Story/Sophia McKay (13 and under winner)

2- HL Radical/Sabrina Searles

3- Flashy Invite/Sammie Johnson

4- Rock N All Night/Tatum Keller

5- Unique Alibi/Kyra Bouma