Congress Showmanship Winners Are Mallory Vroegh, Bella Rosa, and Claira Bingaman

By: Brittany Bevis

First up in Showmanship classes today, 15-year-old Bella Rosa led her 14-year-old gelding, One Dynamic Krymsun, aka “Reach,” to a big win in 12-14 Showmanship. Last year, Bella and Reach were named the Congress Champions in Novice Youth 13 and Under Horsemanship. They currently compete under the guidance of David Busick.

Bella’s favorite part of the pattern today was the extended trot to the slow down portion. “He’s good at moving up and coming back to me. He’s good at listening to my body.”

Since Bella was so early in the first cut, she took the opportunity to return to the stalls to take a five minute power nap before the finals.  She used this time to make a plan of attack. “I was excited to have another shot at it, so I could fix what I didn’t do great before. He sometimes drags when I trot, so I worked on getting him with me. Also, sometimes he’s not real great at breaking to the walk, but he was very good today.”

Coming up next, this team will compete in Novice Horsemanship, Youth Trail, and NYATT Horsemanship and Showmanship.

The Reserve Champion in the class was Katherine West with Got My Swag On. Third place was Jessica Heraly with Hoos Going To Vegas. Fourth was Kyla Jackson with Good For The Ladys. Fifth was Jacqueline Potwara with Hot Time To Zip.

Next up, Mallory Vroegh and Krymsun Belle won their third big Showmanship title of 2017 with a win in the 15-18 division. After winning at the Youth World and NSBA World Show this year, Mallory refers to this win as the cap on what she likes to call “the Triple Crown.”

For Mallory, who likes to perform athletic and precise patterns, she was thrilled to see that an extended trot was included in the pattern again this year. “For the last two years, there has been an extended trot in the pattern, and I think that’s what has set us apart. She guides so well and follows me around the square corners. She always has her nose out and doesn’t pull against it.”

Coming up next, this team will compete in Trail and Horsemanship. She also plans to show her other horse, A Cool Invitation, in Equitation. Earlier in the show, Mallory and “Bella” placed third in Youth Performance Mares.

The Reserve Champion in the class was Ellexxah Maxwell with Zips Bossy Chip. Third was Alexandrea Albright with Best Gift Yet. Fourth was Kelsey McArthur with Got A lot of Notice. Fifth was Grace Himes with Essentially Good.

Finally, the Congress Champion in 11 and Under Showmanship was Claira Bingaman with Invite Me I Am Hot. Claira is 12 years old and this is only the second time she’s shown “40.”

“My other horse got in an accident,” she says. “My Mom was leasing 40, so I was very blessed to be able to bring him to the Congress this year.”

Making this win even more amazing is the fact that 40 is fairly novice in this class. He’s been shown in Showmanship only four times. This team competes under the guidance of Sarah Diamond.

In today’s pattern, Claira was very pleased with her trot departure after the first pivot and her straight approach to the judge. “Also, I was very happy with the back. We’ve worked really hard on that.”

The Reserve Champion was Carley Rutledge with Famous N Foolish. Third was Olivia Wynn with Shesa Good Story. Fourth was Cheyenne Augsburger with Huntin For Candy. Fifth was Piper Anderson with One Classy Gucci.