Champions at AQHA Youth World Include West, Neibrugge, Byers, Bomke, Smith, and More

Emma

By: Brittany Bevis

This has been a very exciting day for AQHA Youth World newbies, because every person we interviewed is a first time Champion! The marquee event of the day was the 14-18 Showmanship finals.

Emma Cress won her first golden globe with Best Gift Yet. Reserve was PS Bringin The Bucks and June Roberson. Third was Won Vital Code RV and Ella Petak. Fourth was Hollywood Nitez and Millie Landon. Fifth was Showin My Ace and Meagan Braun.

Last year, Emma was a finalist in Showmanship, but this year she was able to bring home the top prize. She and her 14-year-old mare “Honey” have been a team for three years. They’re currently under the guidance of Reid Thomas and Curtis and Kim Reynolds, who helped her formulate a plan of attack for today’s pattern.

“We made sure that I had all of the parts figured out and to separate every motion and show each piece off,” she says. “We also really made it our goal to let everything flow together and to go out there and trust myself, trust Honey, and have the best pattern we possibly could.”

Heading into the finals, Emma knew that Honey had a very fancy back maneuver in her arsenal, so that was an area where she knew they could gain bonus points. She also liked the trot transition section. “I liked our extended trot to slow trot. She’s always right there with me. She’s a super good partner to have out there.”

Coming up next, this team will compete in Horsemanship, and Emma will show her new horse, Never Sudden, in Western Riding and Trail.

Katherine

Winning a golden globe with her golden horse in Yearling Geldings was Katherine West with Yellowstoane. Reserve was Theo and Lauren Gralla. Third was TNR Latte On Ice and Erin Wright.

Grace

The winner of 2-Year-Old Mares was Grace Neibrugge with Sheza Cool Sekret. Reserve was TNR Lil More Grace and Erin Wright. Third was Genessy and Lauren Gralla.

15-year-old Grace is another first time winner here at the Youth World. This is also her first time competing at the event. “It’s so exciting! I don’t want to let the trophy go,” she says. “I was hoping this could happen, but I wasn’t sure it would happen.”

Grace and “Nellie” compete with help from trainer, Chris Arentsen, who has developed a special way to set this mare’s feet that Grace thinks works especially well. “Chris helps me practice setting her up. First, I set up her back legs on the off side and then the handler side. I hand-set the one closest to me. Then, I snap my fingers to get her attention. If I start to get a blister, I will just wave my hand in front of her face.”

Grace thinks Nellie’s beauty is an asset in Halter, as is her correctness and strong withers.

Reese

Winning Yearling Mares L1 was Reese Byers with her double-registered mare, Wished You Were Here. This team was also Reserve in L2 and L3. Reserve was Michael Tan with Oh So So Good. Third was Victor Beauchamp with Yess Please. Lane Kail won Yearling Mares L3 and L2 with FR Carpe Diem.

Reese has been showing Adele since June of last year. They compete under the tutelage of Jason Smith.

“She has a huge hip, and she’s super well-balanced and correct,” Reese says. “Sometimes, she’s not a fan of the showing part, so I need to talk to her and say, ‘I only need you for a couple seconds.’ She’s a very calm horse. Jason tells me to slow everything down and think about it. Don’t rush, but also let her know who’s boss.”

Reese and Adele just came off a Reserve finish at the APHA Youth World Show, and this is her first time competing at the AQHA Youth World.

Kelsea

Winning 13 and under Western Riding L1 was Kelsea Bomke with Absolutely Protected. Reserve was How Bout At Midnight and Kylie Davis. Third was Wonit On My RV and Charlotte Brooks. Fourth was It’s A Good Pleasure and Taylor Bates. Fifth was Zip N Flow and Courtney Hammit. Stay tuned for a video interview coming soon with Kelsea.

Winning 2-Year-Old Geldings was Colton Smith with Running On A Hope. The colt by PF Premo and out of Running In Heels was an “experiment” horse that has only been in training for 60 days. “It turned out amazing,” Colton says.

“I love his personality. For such a young horse, he has so much try. Whatever you ask him, he will do it. I love that he can stand in the ground and is so square. For a two-year-old, he has so much maturity. Sometimes, he’s a little sticky on the handler side, so we have a trick to move his foot up from behind.”

Colton

“My parents remind me to be easy with him, because he’s still young and trying a lot. Don’t yank on him, but make sure he’s listening.”

This was Colton’s first World Show win. The L1 winner was Colt Carmean with Don’t Mind Mee.