Hillary Roberts and Whatscookingoodlookin Win Amateur Western Pleasure at AQHA World

By: Brittany Bevis

Hillary Roberts and her 7-year-old mare Whatscookingoodlookin, aka “Candi,” have added another accomplishment to their resume with a big win in Amateur Western Pleasure this afternoon at the 2015 AQHA World Championship Show. Hillary and Candi have three prior Congress Championships and two AQHA Youth World titles in Western Pleasure, but this is their first year competing in the amateur division. “It’s a good way to start!” Hillary says.

Also here at the World Show, Hillary placed 9th in Amateur Trail with her other horse, Chrome On My Zipper, aka “Long John.” Hillary and her horses currently compete under the guidance of Rusty Green Show Horses along with pattern assistance from Brad Jewett.

In the class this afternoon, the call judge mixed things up a bit with some atypical gait calls including a lope with increased forward motion. Hillary took this opportunity to show off Candi’s ability to be fluid and smooth both on and off the rail. “It’s mostly just about showcasing your horse,” she says. “The rail is obviously really important; it’s the foundation of Western Pleasure. But, for me, I think it’s important to exhibit that your horse can do both. It’s something we think really shows off a nice horse well, just like the extended gaits and the transitions between the two. I feel like being able to show a big difference there is important.”

“I had pretty good rail position at all times, where I could pull in and out, and that was my plan going in. It worked out really well. She was amazing, and it was a lot of fun.”

Being that this was Hillary’s first trip to the Amateur/Open World Show, she was a bit nervous. However, once she entered the pen, those feelings disappeared. “It was a huge honor to be in the top five with all those amazing, awesome horses,” she says. “Coming into the amateur division was a little intimidating, but she was so good that any nerves I had went away.”

“This show has just a little different setting; it’s more relaxed and you get closer with the people you show with. A lot of people I show with now I showed with in the youth division, so you develop a lot of friendships.”

Being able to come back year after year and claim multiple major titles with her mare in Western Pleasure is something Hillary attributes to a combination she refers to as “the perfect recipe.”

“For me, it’s a mixture of a few things,” she says. “Her mindset has really allowed her to keep going and be successful, year in and year out, because she knows when it’s time to go to a horse show. Obviously, Rusty is amazingly talented and I think matching a really great horse with, in my opinion, one of the all-time great Western Pleasure trainers is a great recipe.”

Looking forward to next year, Hillary says there are two coming two-year-olds out of Candi, a Blazing Hot stud colt and a Lazy Loper filly. This year, she showed a two-year-old by Candi, I Kissed The Cook, in 2-Year-Old Non Pro Western Pleasure. “I’m really excited,” she says. “I feel like it will be a really fulfilling experience to show my mare’s babies.”

The Reserve Champion in the class was Darcy Reeve with A Certain Vino. Third place was Lacy Watson with RR Magical Moonlite. Fourth place was Courtney Chown with Chum Machine. Fifth place was Jenna Dempze with Rewind and Repeat. Sixth place was Angela Wade with Huntin Big Dreams. Seventh place was Samantha Ihde with Moonlit Hotrodder. Eighth place was Ashley Frye with It’s A Good Pleasure. Ninth place was Kaleena Weakly with No Question I’m Lazy. Tenth place was Ty Paris with I’m Sleepin Single.