Evening Wins at APHA World Show Include Weiser/Nighttime Sensation, John/Krymsunized, Bull/Timeless Assets, Karr/Uaintgonnatouchthis

By: Brittany Bevis

The main event on this evening’s schedule at the APHA World Show was a full lineup of Horsemanship classes. First, Jill Youngblood rode Ima Gallant McKenzie to win Novice Amateur Horsemanship. The Reserve Champion was Pam Switzer with Zippos Redemption. Third was Autumn Salyers with Shetakesdoubleshots. Fourth was Elizabeth Sanders with Total Assets. Fifth was Janet Jordan with Capture The Impulse.

In Classic Amateur Horsemanship, the returning World Champion, Christine Weiser, was named the winner once more with Nighttime Sensation. Christine and her 11-year-old, black gelding named “Cole” have been a team since 2010 and currently compete under the guidance of Karen Qualls.

Not only did Christine win Horsemanship today, she also won Classic Amateur Equitation earlier in the show. A complete sweep in both pattern classes is quite an impressive feat.

“I put pressure on myself, but I try not to think about it and just focus on my ride,” she says. “Today, I think I plussed my large fast circle to the slow down and lead change, and then we had really good spins today.”

“I love pattern classes. I like to say I have natural talent, but you have to put in the time and you have to have the dedication to harness that talent. Talent helps and then it’s just hours and hours of practicing and working with your horse and riding other horses to improve your skills.”

Christine is an advocate of using all tools at your disposal for show ring preparation. That’s why she attended the APHA Ride the Pattern clinic with judge, Sandy Jirkovsky, last week. During the seminar, competitors were given the opportunity to hear from an APHA World Show judge on how they would score the same pattern exhibitors would be riding later in the show.

“When they first set the pattern, it was really scrunched together. I raised my hand and said it would probably ride better if we made it a little bigger. Sandy agreed, and they made it bigger. I was glad I was there to make that suggestion; otherwise, it was going to be really tight! He’s a big boy. I like to have a lot of space to do my patterns.”

In addition to winning Horsemanship and Equitation here at the World Show, Christine and Cole also placed third in Hunter Under Saddle, fourth in Western Riding, and fifth in Showmanship. Coming up next, trainer Karen Qualls will show Cole in Senior Western Riding.

The Reserve Champion was Kylee John with Krymsunized. Third place was Tami Deitrich-Dobbs with Seems Like Heaven. Fourth was Haley Cooper with Cool Hotrod. Fifth was Alison Foster with A lot To Offer.

Finally, in Masters Amateur Horsemanship, Coleen Bull rode Timeless Assets to win another World Championship title. The Reserve Champion was Sid Karr with Uaintgonnatouchthis. Third was Melissa Haberkorn with VR Knockyour Socksoff. Fourth was Pam Swiztzer with Zippos Redemption. Fifth was Stacy Basinger with Spent The Night.