Diana Davidson/My Vital Valentine Win Select Western Riding, Trevor Johns/Lopin For A Chex Win L1 Amateur Western Riding

By: Brittany Bevis

Two Western Riding champions were crowned this evening at the 2017 All American Quarter Horse Congress. First, Diana Davidson rode My Vital Valentine to win Select Western Riding with a score of 222.5.

Diana has owned her 8-year-old roan gelding, “Fluffy,” for the past three years. This year, they were named the World Champions in Western Riding at the Select World Show. She was named the Reserve Congress Champion in Trail last year, but this is their first Congress Championship earned as a team. They currently compete under the guidance of Chad Evans.

“He listens really well, and he’s real quiet,” she says. “He goes where I tell him to go, as long as I tell him correctly!” One piece of advice Chad always gives Diana before any Western Riding class is to keep consistent pace. “He always tell me to go faster; but, then when I come out, he tells me I didn’t go any faster!”

Diana was pleased with Fluffy’s pattern today, but she had no idea she’d ended up at the top of the leaderboard until the very last minute. “I can’t see very well, and Chad wouldn’t tell me what my score was. Then, he went around pouting and saying, ‘It’s not good news…'” Of course, Chad was having a bit of fun with Diana.

Some people might not be aware, but Fluffy was once a stallion, and he has five babies on the ground. In fact, Diana owns one of his offspring, a 2-year-old that’s currently in training with Rusty and Katie Green. “He doesn’t look at all like his daddy. He’s a big sorrel with high white socks. Chad and I both like when the young horses start out as Western Pleasure horses, because they get locked into a rhythm, and Rusty and Katie are very good at getting them body broke. Then, we take them and start to build upon that with Trail, Horsemanship, and Western Riding.”

Coming up next, Chad will shown Fluffy in Senior Trail and Western Riding at the AQHA World Show.

The Reserve Champion was Kathy Tobin with VS Game Changer. Third was Renee Ryssel with Last Piece Of Pie. Fourth was Kenneth Banks with A Certain Amiga. Fifth was Kathy Tobin with RA Undisputed.

Next up, Trevor Johns rode Lopin For A Chex to win L1 Amateur Western Riding with a score of 226. This win is very special for Trevor because it is his first Congress Championship title.

“For the first few years, I showed in Small Fry, and I was Reserve with Dun by Gold,” he says. “Then, I was Reserve with Blue and Gray in Novice Western Riding. After that, I got my butt whipped! It’s been some time. This is my first title, and I’m beyond excited. It’s an exhilarating feeling, no matter how many years it’s been or how many titles you have. It’s always a great thing to have, especially when you have a great ride with a great horse and are rewarded for it.”

Trevor was early on in the draw, and, initially, the app showed he was in the second place spot… until it updated, providing an unexpected surprise. “At first, the score on the Congress app said a 223.5, which was second, and that was great. I’m happy with whatever I get. But then, all of a sudden, it changed to a 226, which was leading. At that point, my happiness turned into an exhilarating moment of smiling, laughing, and giggles. At the same time, I realized there was half of the class left.”

Trevor is done competing here at the Congress, but he will be headed to the World Show to compete in Trail and Western Riding with I Gotta Good Name. His brother, Jeff, will show Lopin For A Chex tomorrow in Amateur Western Riding here at the Congress. “I would like to think I schooled him for my brother. Big brother always needs a little help. He will probably do better than me; but, if he does, at least I will have the excuse that I tuned him up for him, and Jim Searles of course!”

The Reserve Champion was Cristina Topor-Burns with RL A Lucky Sudden. Third was Elizabeth Brown with Absolute Best Asset. Fourth was Brittany Runyan with Blazin Wilma. Fifth was Bonnie Sheren with Heza Radical Zip.