Beth Case and Because She’s Worth It Win APHA World Junior Hunter Under Saddle

By: Brittany Bevis

This morning’s winner in Junior Hunter Under Saddle will be a familiar face for most of our readers. That’s because Beth Case rode Because She’s Worth It to win the Equine Chronicle Congress Masters 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle when the mare was two years old. She’s now four and has a different owner in Jennifer Leavengood, but she has still retained the dynamite moves and impressive physical presence that she had as a youngster.

“Tom Lukenbill had her at the time, and, after the Congress, I showed her here at the Paint World and won the Open 2-Year-Old, Breeders Futurity, and she won the Amateur,” Case says. “Then, last year, she won a lot at the NSBA World Show. Also last year, she won the Junior Hunter Under Saddle, Hunter Under Saddle Challenge, and Breeders Futurity at the Paint World. I had her in the barn until this show last year when she went home with Jennifer. I just got her back two weeks ago.”

Jennifer was actually watching the live feed from the Congress two years ago when she fell in love with “Phoebe.” “I was watching online, and I didn’t even know she was a Paint. I stalked her for a year on Facebook, because I was friends with Beth. I saw that they kept tagging Tom in all their photos, and I realized that he owned her. I saw Thomas walking around at the NSBA World Show and followed him to the wash rack. I said, ‘I love your horse. Would you be interested in selling her?’ He said he would, but he wanted to show her at the Paint World that year. I drove from Florida with my truck and trailer and left with her.”

Just a few days ago, Jennifer rode Phoebe, who’s by Hot Ones Only and out of an All Time Fancy mare, to win Masters Amateur Junior Hunter Under Saddle.

“I think she’s very consistent, and her movement is incredible. She has a nice disposition. A long time ago, I had a horse named Hot And Peppery, and a judge asked me, ‘Do you know why I pin you first all the time?’ I said, ‘No, why?’ He said, ‘Because, I want to ride your horse.’ This horse is fun to ride.”

Everywhere she goes, Jennifer gets asked the same question about Phoebe. Just how tall is she? “Last time I measured her, she was 17.2 hands. If you put a weight tape around her, it doesn’t even fit anymore, so I’m not sure how much she truly weighs!”

The Reserve Champion was Brian Isbell Garcia with Al Bet Ur Two Faced. Third was Keith Miller with Ventura Boulevard. Fourth was Keith Miller with On The Scene. Fifth was Shannon Gillespie with Moxie Machine.