Halter Amateur Mare Winners Include Peden, Berris, Koch, Habighorst, Weakly, Alderson

By: Brittany Bevis

The first few Amateur Halter Mare Champions have been crowned this morning at the 2015 All American Quarter Horse Congress. First, Richard Peden led JCG Elegant to win Amateur Weanling Fillies. The Reserve Champion was Karen Johnson with Suspiciously Hott. Placing third was Amy Jo Erhardt with Cooolette. Placing fourth was Terri Heffelfinger with Rocker Chick. Fifth place was Stephen Farley with Premo Creation.

Next, in Amateur Yearling Fillies, Frank Berris led his brand new horse, Bee Jewelled, to a Congress Championship finish. Given that the Quarter Horse Congress is the largest single-breed horse show in the world, it’s a hotbed for horse deals. The main reason Berris came to the Congress this year was to look at one filly in particular.

“The first time I ever saw her was when she was showing in the Open here with Jason Smith, and she won under all four judges,” Berris says. “Ross Roark, my trainer, was showing another horse in the same class. I kept telling him, ‘We’ve got to talk about that filly. I’ve got to buy that filly.’ Joy [Stehney] has had a lot of good horses. She won the World with the filly’s mother.”

“I fell in love with her. She’s so perfect. I can’t find any holes in her. She’s got good conformation, and she’s real wide in her forehead with tiny eyes. She’s just a sweetheart and is easy to show.”

Berris had much success last year at the Congress with his Grand Champion Mare, Exceptional Playgirl. Sadly, that mare has since passed, and Berris has been on the hunt for a suitable replacement.

“I saw Joy during the class, and I told her that I loved this mare as much as I loved my other mare. I said, ‘Will you please sell her to me?’ She said, ‘Let me think about it.’ After the class, we sat down and made a deal. The first thing I did was register her in my name, and I’ve been practicing with her every day!”

Later on at the Congress, Berris will show his four-time AQHA World Champion and six-time Congress Champion, It’s Gameday, in Amateur Three-Year-Old Geldings.

“I’ve had a lot of good horses that have won the Congress and the World Show, but I would venture to say that Bee Jewelled is the best horse I’ve ever owned.”

In the Amateur Two-Year-Old Mares class, the Congress Champion was Lea Ann Koch with Fearles Playmate. The Reserve Congress Champion was Joy Stehney with BPF Glamour Girl; this team was also the Limited Champions. Third place was Delbert Hostetler with She’s Showing Off. Fourth place was Felisha Ware with My Ohhh My. Fifth place was Donna Deckman with BPF Mona Lisa.

In the Amateur Three-Year-Old Mares, Jeff Habighorst led Miss Kittee to a Congress Champion title. His father, Vern, was at the lead of Guns And Lace to take the Reserve Champion spot. Placing third was Mimsi Roe Coon with Dream Big Dreams; this team was also the Limited Champion. Fourth place was Sharon Fisk with She Is So Cool. Fifth place was J L Robinson with Running In Heels.

In the Amateur Aged Mares, Josh Weakly led PF Supreme Surprise to the win. The Reserve Champion was Suzonne Franks with Lookin For Romance. Third place was Jeff Habighorst with Cool Smokin Lady. Fourth pace was Jim Roth with Get Your Flirt On. Fifth place was Cara McMillian-Gibson with Candys Mirror Image.

Amateur Performance Halter Mares was won by Andrea Alderson with Most Appealing Dream. The Reserve Champion was Mark Thune with Fantastic Invitation. Third place was Chelsea Martz with Onlythebestchocolate. Fourth place was Melinda Clark with Another Classy Lady. Fifth place was Katrina Johnson with Idreamofhotchocolate.

The Amateur Grand Champion Mare was PF Supreme Surprise with Josh Weakly at the lead. The Reserve Grand Champion Mare was Miss Kittee with Jeff Habighorst leading.