Chris Holbin Wins First Congress Championship in Junior Western Riding With VS Game Changer
By: Brittany Bevis
Chris Holbin has been showing at the Quarter Horse Congress for the past 17 years. Tonight, he achieved a lifelong dream of being named a Congress Champion. “Words cannot even describe it. It’s something I’ve only dreamt about.”
His partner for Junior Western Riding was VS Game Changer, a 5-year-old gelding by Radical Rodder and out of Vital Signs Are Good. He’s owned by longtime Circle S Ranch customer, Kathy Tobin.
“We bought him from Jason Martin and Charlie Cole, and we’ve had him about a year and a half. I showed him all last summer. We actually bought him for a Trail horse, and then I started changing leads on him. Last year, I got him qualified for the World Show in the Junior and Level 2 and was in the Top 5. I was extremely excited.”
Chris and “TJ” were able to score an impressive 225 to clinch the win in a field of 33 top contenders. Later on in the show, TJ will compete in Junior Trail, 4 and 5-Year-Old Trail Stakes, Select Trail, and Select Western Riding.
Since TJ has been Chris’ pet project, that made this win even more special. “He’s been my deal,” Chris says. “I thought he had a really good pattern today. He jogged off real good and marched put to the log. He loped off good and then at the first change he was a little ahead of me. I was thinking, ‘Oh God, Chris, get your timing.’ Then, it all kind of happened.”
Part of what makes TJ so flashy in Western Riding is his steady top line and eye appeal, according to Chris. “His top line never changes and his ears are always up. He throws his front leg out good, but he’s just so pretty across his top and with his ears. He has a ton of expression; I think that’s what makes him what he is.”
When TJ isn’t in the show pen, he lets his personality shine through. “He’s the biggest dork! He dumps his water buckets and has to have a stall ball. He’s like dealing with a toddler. He has a ton of personality.”
The Reserve Champion was Gil Galyean with Made By J. Third was Brad Ost with Cracking The Code. Fourth was Brad Ost with Ramblin Mann. Fifth was Kelly McDowall with VS Costar.
