Congress Amateur Gelding Champions Include Stehney, Erhardt, Matthews, Weakly, and More!

By: Brittany Bevis

The last day of Halter is well underway here at at the 2017 All American Quarter Horse Congress. First up, Joy Stehney led Hesakeeper to win Amateur Weanling Geldings. Not only was Joy the Amateur Open Champion, she was also named the Reserve Champion, and winner of the Elite Halter Futurity.

The performance was a perfect repeat of Open week, when Ronnie Casper led the gelding to win the same set of classes in the Open division. Joy calls this gelding “Dwight Eisenhower.” He’s by Ecredible and out of Keep Me In Mind.

“I know he’s really nice, but this morning I woke up and was the most nervous I’ve been the whole time I’ve been here,” Joy says. “He had already won it all last week, so I was very nervous!”

Luckily, Joy had a secret good luck charm in the form of her barn helper, Arturo. “He’s fallen in love with this one. He told me last night that he was going to pray for me and keep his fingers crossed all night long. It worked! He’s my good luck charm.”

Because Joy and Dwight also won the Elite Halter Futurity portion of the class, they received a $1,250 and another belt buckle, which Joy is thrilled about. Now, it’s on to the World Show, where Joy and trainer, Jason Smith, will show the gelding in amateur and open classes.

The Reserve Champion was Mariah Gipson with Illicit Intention. Third was Gigi Davis with Exx. Fourth was Matthew Guthrie with Jimmie Choo. Fifth was Jennifer Jubb with Web Gem.

In Amateur Yearling Geldings, Amy Jo Erhardt led Guns and Leather to a big win. “Gunner” is by Western Gunslinger and out of Sashay This Way. She’s had the gelding for eight months now, and he’s currently being fit by Joe Engle.

“He’s so balanced, and I knew there was lots of potential in him, because his three quarter sister is Guns and Lace, a multiple Champion.”

Last week, Gunner was led by Ross Roark to a Reserve Championship finish in the open division. Because Amy and Gunner were named the Elite Halter Futurity Champions, they received a check for $1,250.

The Reserve Champion and Limited Champion was Elizabeth Thompson Beauchamp with Amazingunz. Third was Amanda Wallinger-Rowan with Big Time Addiction. Fourth was Lawrence Lemke with Ima Cool Agent. Fifth was Thomas Carter with California Kool.

The Amateur 2-Year-Old Geldings class was won by Adam Matthews with Guilty Secretz. The Reserve Champion was Holly Saigo with BPF Top Secret Man. Third was Gigi Davis with Crazed. Fourth was Patti Walker with HR Elusive Secret. Fifth was Keitha Stutzman with Morthanamaizing.

Vickie Strickland was at the lead of Mytesly to win Amateur Performance Halter Geldings. The Reserve Champion was Michael McCallan with Be Elusive. Third was Donald Metzger with Tees Coolest. Fourth was Katie Grossnickle with Always The Best Man. Fifth was Breda Dean-Kennedy with The Kids Story.

Josh Weakly led Legacee to win Amateur 3-Year-Old Geldings. The Reserve Champion was Mariah Gipson with DMM Secret Sensation. Third was Thomas Walker with Secret Agent. Fourth was Dillon Groff with JCG Game On. Fifth was Adam Matthews with Southern Thang.

Then, Josh returned in the very next class and won Amateur Aged Geldings with It’s Gameday. The Reserve Champion was Darrell Ireland with SS Rampage. Third was Douglas Ronk with Ima Cool Catch. Fourth was Thomas Carter with Coos Me In The Dark. Fifth was Dana Wilson with Intoxikating.

As a result of his back-to-back wins, Josh found himself in an interesting situation with two horses to show in Grand and Reserve. We chatted with Josh to find out what he planned to do about this fortunate dilemma.

“This is actually my second time showing Its Gameday. He’s five now, and we bought him in May of this year from Frank Berris. We’re all good friends, and Frank has had this horse since he was a baby. Ross called one day and said Frank was agreeable to sell him. I had the three-year-old, Legacee, to show as well, but it’s hard to find horses you really like.”

On the other hand, Legacee was purchased as a baby and shown by Josh as a yearling and two-year-old. Last year, he won the Amateur and Open 2-Year-Old Geldings here at the Congress.

So as for what to do about having two horses in Grand and Reserve? Josh decided to have his lovely wife, Kaleena, assist by showing the more seasoned, Its Gameday, while Josh would show Legacee.

“She’ll probably beat me if the truth be known!”

As it turned out, Josh’s predication turned out to be accurate, as Its Gameday was named the Amateur Grand Champion Gelding. The Reserve Grand Champion was Darrell Ireland with SS Rampage.