Congress Champions Include Masterson/KM Weknowsheshot, Ochs/Invite Only The Best, Marty/Hez Sizzling Hot

By: Brittany Bevis

Last night was an exciting moment for Marilyn Masterson as she was named the unanimous Congress Champion in Select Western Pleasure aboard KM Weknowsheshot. “Mercedes,” a mare by the Masterson’s stallion, RL Best of Sudden, has had considerable success this year with trainers, Casey Willis and Blair Townsend, in the saddle. However, Marilyn had never shown the mare herself.

“This was my fourth time actually riding her!” Marilyn says. “Casey texted me on Monday and asked if I would like to show Mercedes in Select. I said I would love to, but I’ve never ridden her before. He asked if I could be here first thing in the morning, and I said, absolutely!”

After Marilyn’s first practice ride on Mercedes, the entire Masterson Farms group had a barn meeting to discuss their plan for later in the week. Although everyone was confident in the pair’s ability, Marilyn still wasn’t quite sure, so they decided to wait until the next practice session to decide.

“They said, ‘We know you can do it, but you have to be comfortable.’ So, I said we’d wait until the next ride to decide.'” That last practice must have gone well, because it sealed the deal and Marilyn and Mercedes were entered into a competitive Select Western Pleasure class.

Earlier in the show, Blair Townsend rode Mercedes to win the $10,000 Open Maturity Western Pleasure and Limited Open Maturity. Then, Casey Willis rode Mercedes to win a Reserve Congress Championship in Junior Western Pleasure. Those earlier performances helped Marilyn decide on a game plan for competing in her class last night.

“Blair showed her off the rail in the Maturity. She told me that if I got into any traffic just to pull her off the rail, because she doesn’t have a problem with it. She just wants to please. You get her started, and she does her thing. That’s what she enjoys.”

Ken jokes about the last minute decision to enter Mercedes in the Select division. “I think Marilyn practiced too much… two days to show at the Congress!” All kidding aside, Ken is very proud of his wife and the entire team at Masterson Farms, LLC. “We’re so appreciative of the work that’s been done to get this mare to the point where Marilyn can get on her, in only her second day riding, and win at the Congress. That says a whole lot about Casey, Blair, and Kaitlyn.”

“We all work together so well, and we have fun. We think the world of them,” Marilyn adds.

The Reserve Champion was Cheryl Mullikin with KM Call Me Honey, also an RL Best of Sudden bred by Masterson Farms. Third was Carrie Oakley with Hot Guns A Blazin. Fourth was Bill Cosentino with Won Hot Cowgirl. Fifth was Linda Ball Sargent with Cool Poco Dot.

In Novice Youth 13 and Under, Sydnie Ochs rode her three-year-old mare, Invite Only The Best, to a big win. The mare that Sydnie fondly refers to as “Kisses” is also an Rl Best of Sudden. Earlier in the show, she placed fifth in 3-Year-Old Limited Non Pro Western Pleasure.

“This is my first time showing her in a bridle, and I thought it was pretty good,” Sydnie says. “She listened to my legs and my hand, if I lifted it up a little bit. I’m proud of her. I showed her in a hackamore in the 3-Year-Old Non Pro, and was fifth, and I was happy with that. I’m really happy with this!”

Sydnie should be thrilled considering the fact that she and Kisses weren’t originally planning to show in this class. The 14-year-old was supposed to be back home in Wisconsin already, where she’s an eighth-grader at Milton Middle School.

“I don’t usually show her in the youth classes. This is my first time. I wasn’t originally planning on showing in this, and then I stayed. I practiced in a bridle, and she was really good, so we decided we’d show in it.”

The pair currently competes under the guidance of Brian and Dawn Baker.

The Reserve Champion was Reily Jacobs-Bell with Get Her Vitals. Third was Sydney Banta with Touch My Potential. Fourth was Hanna Olaussen with A Classy Chex. Fifth was Allyson Schuster with Finally Got Invited.

Gabrielle Marty was another first time Congress Champion here at the show with her horse, Hez Sizzling Hot, in Novice Youth 14-18 Western Pleasure. This is Gabriele’s first time competing at the Congress, and she’s having a great time so far. Last year, Gabrielle competed in APHA competition; this is her first year showing Quarter Horses.

“I haven’t owned my horse for even a year yet,” Gabrielle says. “We call him ‘Buck 50,’ because when Jeff Cochran saw him loping around in the pasture as a yearling, he said one day he would bring a buck fifty.” We’re certain Jeff is rethinking that estimate right about now following this big win.

Gabrielle’s favorite part of competing in Western Pleasure with her 4-year-old gelding by One Hot Kruymsun is his ability to maintain consistent pace and position on the rail. “Loping is my favorite part,” she says. “I love how you can push him off, and he stays right where he’s supposed to. He’s an easygoing horse. Before I went in, Jeff said to keep my legs soft, sit back, and have fun.”

Gabrielle’s ultimate goal is to compete on an equestrian team in Horsemanship, so she’d like to start doing that next year with Buck 50. Right now, she has her sights set on Oklahoma State.

The Reserve Champion in the class was Marissa Robertson with KM Win With The Best. Third was Kayla Budine with Consider Me Best. Fourth was Jessica Wazny with Mann Of Steel. Fifth was Rode Rageous with Madison Thiel.