Jess Bergantzel/Memphis Bound, Troy Lehn/Good Like Jagger Win 4 and & 5-Year-Old Trail Stakes

By: Brittany Bevis

A few speciality age division Trail Sweepstakes held here at the 2017 All American Quarter Horse Congress provided the opportunity for trainers to have their young horses compete against their peers and win big checks!

In the 4 & 5-Year-Old Trail, Jess Bergantzel rode Memphis Bound to win $4,139.76 with a score of 235.5. “There’s not many places we get to do that in Trail!” Jess says.

Memphis is a 4-year-old gelding by RL Best Of Sudden who was purchased this spring for Kendalyn Herlocker. He was shown in Trail for the first time at the Red Bud Spectacular. “He’s a really good hearted, talented horse. He’s young and learning. It’s in there, but we don’t always get it put together.”

“We had a little trouble with slow work this week, but he was better today. Where he was really good today, is if I was in a spot that was a little long, he would stretch out and ease through it. Probably his best thing is he never spooks. He’s gentle and kind, and he’s always willing to go do his job. He’s very good minded.”

Troy Lehn was named the Reserve Champion in the class and won the Limited division with Good Like Jagger for Alana Collingsworth. This team received $2,980.63 for the Reserve finish. Troy also rode Zippin A Breeze for Alex Chavez to a fifth place finish, winning $1,407.52.

“Jag” is a project that Troy has been working on since he was a yearling. “Alex Chavez and I picked him out as a yearling. Maggie [Grandquist] started him as a two-year-old and then last year I started working with him in Trail.”

Troy rode 4-year-old Zippin A Breeze to a fifth place finish, adding to his overall total monies earned in this class. “This is the horse Alex showed in Western Pleasure last year. He’s been learning Trail and is going I be pretty darn good at it. He’s a fancy horse, and I’m really excited about him.”

Both of these horses will be going to the AQHA World Show this year.

The 3-Year-Old Trail Stakes was won by Jason Gilliam with HP Prime Time. Reserve was Blake Weis with Cool Cruzen Lady. Third was Ashley Clock-Dunbar with HP Satin Dream. Fourth was Colton LaSusa with Im Looking For You. Fifth was Charlie Cole with VS Untilwemeetagain.