Kennedy and Distad Win Gold and Silver Yearling Longe Line at 2014 APHA World Show

By: Brittany Bevis

Two cuts of Yearling Longe Line contenders were narrowed down to two winners this afternoon at the 2014 APHA World Championship Show. Winning the Breeders Futurity Silver Yearling Longe Line portion of the class was Jodie Distad with Y Not A Famous Blonde. The Reserve Champion was Melissa Sachs with Pitter Pat Rhythm. Third place was Samantha Martin with The Nite Life.

In the Breeders Futurity Gold Yearling Longe Line, Kathie Kennedy led A Scenic Ride to his third major win of the season in Longe Line competition. Prior to his win today at the APHA World Show, A Scenic Ride won at the Tom Powers Futurity in Michigan and the NSBA World Championship Show in Oklahoma. Thus far, the colt has been shown three times and is undefeated in Longe Line competition.

In addition to being quite large for his size, Kennedy was attracted to this particular colt because of the beauty and maturity he possessed at such an early age. “Maddox” is by A Scenic Impulse and out of A Sensational Zippo.

“I picked him out of the field,” Kennedy says. “He was big, mature, beautiful, and great-legged. He was just amazing in the field.”

When looking for a Longe Line prospect, Kennedy searches for a horse that has the two M’s: mind and movement. After first starting her longeliners in the round pen, Kennedy then moves out into an open area. She stresses the importance of using variety during the early stages of training to prevent boredom and burnout.

“We put them on the hot walker and pony them so we don’t have to longe in a circle all the time,” she says. “We try to mix it up and do some different stuff. They’re also turned out every day.”

“I start my Tom Powers horses in February, but they don’t start to longe in February. They just come in and get handled and learn how to tie. They tell you if they’re going to be ready or not. I don’t push them.”

Maddox is entered in the upcoming Farnam Breeders’ Trust Select Sale on Sunday, November 9th. Also, he will be shown by owner Stanley Scott tomorrow in the Non Pro division of the class and then again on Monday with Kenendy at the lead once more.

Whether this particular colt sells in the sale or stays with Stanley and Susan Scott at Haylo Farms, Kennedy is confident he will have a promising future as a two-year-old show horse and eventually a breeding sire.

Breeders Futurity Gold Yearling Longe Line–

1-A Scenic Ride/Kathie Kennedy

2-Good For Certain/Monica Baker

3-Girls Got Game/Mark Gilmore

4-Only Couture/Lori Hanson

5-Lazadaisical/Steve Sauder

6-Kreme De La Krymsun/Terri Nicholson

7-Blurred Lines/Lyle Hanson

8-Sensational Hotrod/Alan Wood

9-Fancy Me A Hotrod

10-Shes Pretty Impulsive/Steven Biller

Breeders Futurity Silver Yearling Longe Line–

1-Y Not A Famous Blonde/Jodie Distad

2-Pitter Pat Rhythm/Melissa Sachs

3- The Nite Life/Samantha Martin

4- Space Cowboy/Kristine Alcorn

5- Huntress Lilly/Tina Langness