By: Brittany Bevis
It’s been a fun-filled day of high flying action here at the 2016 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show. To kick the show off, Over Fences classes were featured in the John Justin arena. Plenty of scholarship money was awarded to the top competitors with $500 to first, $400 to second, $250 to third, and $150 to a random competitor.
Taylor Tuso rode Hes Worth The Gamble to win Novice Youth Working Hunter 18 and Under. The Reserve Champion was Alysia Nielson with Enchanted Irons. Third was Katie Lingafelter with Roses and Chocolate. In the Youth Working Hunter 13 and Under, Madyson Peters rode Baileys Blue Eyes to win first place.
In the 14-18 division of Youth Working Hunter, Ashley Aden rode Reddyformycloseup to the win. The Reserve Champion was Alexis Miller with Thanks For Zip En Me. Rounding out the top three was Alysia Nielson with Enchanted Iron.
Another one of the Tuso sisters rode He’s Worth The Gamble to win Novice Youth Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences. This time, it was Brianna Tuso’s turn in the winner’s circle. Katie Lingafelter rode Roses and Chocolate to a Reserve finish. Third place was Madyson Peters with Baileys Blue Eyes.
In Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences 18 and Under, Alexis Miller and Thanks For Zip En Me began a winning streak that would extend through Youth Jumping 18 and Under and Youth Hunter Hack 14-18. The Reserve Champion in Equitation over Fences was Taylor Tuso with He’s Worth The Gamble. Third was Madyson Peters with Baileys Blue Eyes.
Novice Youth Hunter Hack was won by Taylor Tuso and He’s Worth The Gamble. The Reserve Champion was Samantha Gross with Vegas Made Me Do It. Third was Victoria Leen with Hez Reddioactive.
The Reserve Champion in Hunter Hack 14-18, behind Alexis Miller and Thanks For Zip En Me, was Brianna Tuso with He’s Worth The Gamble. Third was Samantha Stubblefield with Im Zipped All Right.
Once Over Fence classes were complete, it was time for a bit of Hunt Seat style with Disciplined Rail English and Ideal Paint English. Both classes were won by Destiny Clagg with Wicked Roses. The Reserve Champion in Disciplined Rail was Samantha Stubblefield with Im Zipped All Right. Third was Madison Long with Im Here To Stay. The Reserve Champion in Ideal Paint English was Emily Drew with Scenic Dell Rio. Third was Madison Klauwkamp with Eazy On My Assets.
We caught up with Reserve Champion Emily Drew as she was on her way to the photo booth for a snapshot to memorialize the occasion. Emily isn’t a newcomer to the winner’s circle; however, “Dell” is a new horse that was just purchased in August.
“She came down from Pennsylvania,” Emily says. “My mom actually picked her out from a video and then my trainer flew up to look at her. This is her second time in Fort Worth. She came here last year to the Fall World Show and competed in 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle.”
Despite this being one of the first times Emily has shown Dell, she wasn’t too nervous. “She was really good today, but it has been nerve-wracking all week getting her ready, because this was one of my first times showing her.”
Emily and Dell currently compete under the guidance of Jeffery Gibbs Show Horses. Dell may be just four years old, but Emily has plans to turn her into an all-around horse ASAP. Here at the show they will compete in Hunter Under Saddle, Showmanship, and Horsemanship.