Carley Rutledge/VS Born To Be Good Win L1 13 and Under Trail; Gil Galyean/The Dark Impulse Win $10K Open Maturity WP

By: Brittany Bevis

Today’s classes in the Celeste Center have been a mixture of Trail, Western Pleasure, and even Hunter Under Saddle. First, Carley Rutledge rode VS Born To Be Good to win 13 and under Level 1 Trail. The Reserve Champion was Addisyn Albers with Lopin On A Goodbar. Third was Ella Roberts with RV Miracle Machine. Fourth was Nicole Goosen with Platinum Sunsation. Fifth was Lenora Roberts with Dont I Look Good. 

We had the opportunity to chat with Carley this year at the AQHA Youth World when she won 13 and Under Trail and her first World title. This is her first Congress win. Last year, she was the Reserve Champion in Showmanship.

13-year-old Carley and her five-year-old gelding have been a team for the past eight months. He goes by many names- Howard, Houdini, and even Hootie Hoo. They compete under the guidance of Shannon Vroegh and Hannah Lind. This is their second Congress together.

In today’s class, Carley and Howard scored a big 230.5 to take the win over 48 other entries. She was aware of her huge score before she went back in for the final results, because she admits to being a “constant updater” on the Congress app. She was aware that her run wasn’t perfect, but she had a plan to help boost her score. “After the gate, I thought the trot serpentine was really good. I think the first half was my best. During the second half, we had a few nicks. When that happens, I think I have to make everything else ten times better and increase the degree of difficulty.”

Later on in the show, this team will compete in 12-14 Trail, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Showmanship, Equitation, Western Pleasure, and NYATT classes.

Gil Galyean was in the saddle of The Dark Impulse for Joanie Zelnio to win the $10,000 Open Maturity Western Pleasure. The Reserve Champion was Cody Parrish with Made My Way. Third was Sara Simons with Stylist Chocolate. Fourth was Karen Hornick with RL Sudden Melody. Fifth was Taft Dickerson with Naturally Lazy.

Gil and “Joy” received a big check for $3,335.88 for the win. Joanie has owned the striking, black filly by RL Best of Sudden and out of Dark Jasmine for just a few months. The search for the perfect mount has been going on for a few years now.

“Gil has been looking for a horse for me for almost two years. It had to be one that would be competitive in the Select division and one that he thought I could ride. It had to be pretty and a good mover. I think the judges like her consistency. She looks the same and doesn’t change. Also, she’s very kind and holds her head and neck well.”

Just a month ago, Joanie rode rode Joy for the first time at the NSBA World Show and won the $10,000 Non Pro Maturity Western Pleasure. Later on in the show, they will compete in Select Western Pleasure.