Emma Gore/My Only Good Shoes, Nya Kearns/Never Sudden Win Horsemanship at AQHA Youth World Show
By: Brittany Bevis
Two, new World Champions have been crowned this evening at the AQHA Youth World Show in the Horsemanship finals. First, Miss Emma Gore rode My Only Good Shoes to win her first World Championship title in 13 and Under Horsemanship.
This is only the second year the Youth World Show has offered 13 and under classes, which allows young competitors like 11-year-old Emma to compete against her peers of similar skill level and experience. Emma came to the Youth World for the first time last year, and although she’s won numerous Congress Championship titles, this is her first World Championship title.
Emma’s favorite parts of the finals pattern today were Dottie’s spins and extended lope to a walk. Although the latter is a more an advanced maneuver, Emma says it’s a piece of cake for her trusty, roan mare. “I just slow down my body movement and say walk, and she does it.”
Interestingly enough, Emma thinks the hardest part of today’s class was the rail work and not the pattern. “It’s just hard to go back in there a second time,” she says. Still, Horsemanship is by far her favorite class, because it provides a challenge.
Now that Emma has won her first golden globe, she has plans to display it in a prominent place of honor in her bedroom. Also, she and her barn mates are off to The Ranch for a celebratory dinner this evening.
Coming up next at the show, Emma will compete in Equitation, Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle, and Western Pleasure.
The Reserve Champion was Claira Bingaman with Red Hot Options. Third was Avery Mortman with Just A Touch More. Fourth was Megan Renfro with Zip Along Home. Fifth was Carley Rutledge with VS Born To Be Good
Winning 14-18 Horsemanship was Nya Kearns with Lookin Lazy. Reserve was Olivia Tordoff with Lookin Lazy. Third was Emily Maul with Only Temptation. Fourth was Leah Anderson with Gunpowder N Smoke. Fifth was Jillian Stopperich with One Hot Big Leaguer.
17-year-old Nya and her trusty partner, 6-year-old Boferdinand, were the choice of the judges this evening in a very competitive class. Nya feels the most challenging aspect of tonight’s pattern was the many stops and reversing of directions. “The first part [with the extended lope] was his best asset, because he has a really long stride,” she says.
Another challenge was that Nya showed in near back to back classes, hopping off Boferdinand to mount her Hunt Seat horse for the 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle finals. She ended up placing fifth overall.
In a complex pattern, with no cones to speak of, Nya laid the groundwork for her plan the night before. “We always go in and look at the markers and lay everything out then. When I’m showing, I try to keep an eye out for those, but I don’t panic if it’s not exactly how I want it. It’s just a guide.”
Nya has a previous World Championship title in Equitation, but she’s always wanted to win Horsemanship. Later on in the show, she will compete in Equitation and Western Riding. Following her senior year, Nya will be headed to compete on the SMU Equestrian team.
