Congress Select Amateur Equitation and Amateur Western Riding Winners Are Niffenegger and Reeve

By: Brittany Bevis

It’s not five o’clock yet in Columbus, Ohio, but Jo An Niffenegger and her horse, Crown Royal Hour, plan on getting the party started early following their win this afternoon in Select Equitation. This trip is Jo Ann’s first time competing at the Congress in 17 years. “It’s a good way to come back!” she says.

Jo Ann and 11-year-old “Tipsy” have been a team for the past two years. They’ve had a successful show so far placing eighth in Showmanship, eleventh in Western Riding, and being named a finalist in Horsemanship. Of all their classes, this is the event Jo Ann wanted to excel in the most. “This was the class I wanted bad, because I dropped a rein at the World Show,” she says. “I wanted to have a comeback! I love the Hunters, so Equitation goes right along with that. Give me an English saddle and I will ride anything!”

Jo Ann was throughly pleased with Tipsy’s performance today and gave us a brief recap of her favorite moments. “She trotted really nicely up there at the beginning and stopped and turned on the forehand perfectly,” she says. “She cantered off great and moved right up into the hand gallop. We had a great lead change, and then she came back and settled down nicely. I was very pleased with it. She was a good girl.”

When Tipsy returns to her stall in trainer Kellie Hinely’s barn, she will receive her favorite treat of a banana for doing so well in this afternoon’s class. Jo Ann would like to thank everyone at Trendsetter Performance Horses for all of their help throughout the Congress. “They got me in the pen today,” she says. “It takes a village!”

This win is certainly bittersweet because it was Jo Ann and Tipsy’s final ride together, and she will be heading home with a new owner.

The Reserve Congress Champion was Teresa Balkcum with Pawn Star. Third place was Kim Allen with Zips Fancy Talk. Fourth place was Cheryl Kolb with Dancing Western. Fifth place was Farley Barbera with Hot Jazzin Zippo. Sixth place was Nancy Boatwright with SRS Dream. Seventh place was Sandra Clark with Good To Be Great. Eighth place was Linda Woodin with Fabulous Marecedes. Ninth place was Kelleigh De Monbrun with Achipofftheoldgold. Tenth place was Jodie Nolen with Absolutely A Love.

In the Amateur Western Riding, Darcy Reeve rode Ima Petite Classic to score a 233 and be named the Congress Champion. The Reserve Champion was Jane Humes with Dunit On The Range, scoring a 232.5. Third place was Gabrielle Capron with KM Zip Me Suddenly, scoring a 231.5. Fourth place was Jeff Johns with Lopin For A Chex, scoring a 231.

Fifth place was Robert Huver with All But Sudden. Sixth place was Angela Wade with The Perfect Kryme. Seventh place was Graceon Ehrman with Don’tskipmygoodimage. Eighth place was Hayley Saul with Eye On The Ball. Ninth place was Christina Szabados with Invest Ina Machine. Tenth place was Kathryn Mitchell with The Vital Invitation.