Jason Martin and Heza Radical Zip Win AQHA World Senior Western Riding

By: Brittany Bevis

Returning World Champions, Jason Martin and Heza Radical Zip, claimed the top spot once again in Senior Western Riding this year at the AQHA World Show. “Troy,” aka “Perfect Pony,” won the quadruple-fecta this year winning the Highpoint title in the nation, a World Championship at the NSBA World Show, Quarter Horse Congress, and now World Show.

In tonight’s class, Martin and Troy received a score of 241 for their performance, which resulted in a hat/fist pump from Martin. “Charlie [Cole] let me know that I didn’t beat his record or tie it, so there’s that, but I was close!”

This win marks the 14th time a Highpoint Performance Horses team has won Senior Western Riding at the World Show. That’s quite the reign. “If I was lucky enough to win next year, I would retire from Western Riding,” Martin says. “It would be nice to be able to end on the top. There aren’t as many horses that are as good as Troy.”

“He’s really politically correct. He’s good with his ears and his topline. He has great cadence and a great lead change. The judges like him. There’s nothing controversial about him. Some horses might be a little over-bridled, little low, or a little mouthy. He’s just happy. I think his ears are what sets him apart.” Another thing that certainly helped with tonight’s class was likely Martin’s lucky socks, which have helped him win eight titles.

“My background was in Dressage and Three-Day Eventing. I started out in pony club and did Three-Day Eventing until I was almost 20. I think the Dressage background has helped me with my timing.”

The Reserve Champion was Blake Weis with Dunit On The Range. Third was Chad Evans with UF A Certain Star. Fourth was Anthony Montes with Strawberri Wine. Fifth was Nancy Alto-Renfro with This Is Why I’m Here.