Lydia Brahler/Sure A Hot Krymsun and Kaylee Swanigan/Ima Cool Lookin Man Win First Congress Championships in L1 Showmanship

By: Brittany Bevis

Today has been all about precision, poise, and of course those perfect outfits during L1 Showmanship classes at the 2017 Quarter Horse Congress. First up, Kaylee Swanigan led Ima Cool Lookin Man to win her first Congress Championship in L1 Amateur Showmanship.

“He’s actually my Mom’s horse,” Kaylee says. “We’d been showing another horse all year. Unfortunately, he had to be put down. Luckily, Mom’s horse was in the barn, and we got to use him.”

Due to the quick switch in partners, Kaylee had only shown the 11-year-old, gray gelding just once prior to coming to the Congress. This is the only class they will be competing in together. They show under the guidance of Clint Ainsworth and Chris Gray.

Kaylee does have a previous Reserve Championship title to her credit in Novice Youth Horsemanship, that was earned eleven years ago, but this is her first big win. “I was out of it for about ten years while I went to school and was an adult. I got back into it a little bit last year and this year.”

“My mom will show him in Select Showmanship tomorrow morning, and my dad is about to show his horse in L1 Select Showmanship. Neither of my parents really showed a whole lot when I was a youth. They just hauled me up and down the road. Now, the three of us showing together is a nice family thing to do.”

In today’s pattern, Kaylee was most pleased with her horse’s back and smooth maneuvering skills. “He’s so pretty and soft. He makes it look easy. He feels like he’s my dance partner out there, which I feel like it should in Showmanship.”

The Reserve Champion was Alexandra Bates with Looking Krymsun Cool. Third was Brooke Ingstad with HP Ima Foxy Dreamer. Fourth was Maggie Kirian with Always A Good Time. Fifth was Hannah Wagner with Lopin So Lazy.

Next, Lydia Brahler and Sure A Hot Krymsun won their first major title in L1 14-18 Showmanship. Because the Congress app went down during the class, Lydia had no idea where she’d ended up in the final placings, which added to the suspense.

“I’ve been showing for a long time,” she says. “This is my fifth year at the Congress.” Although Lydia has never come out at the top of the judges’ cards at a major event like the Congress, she’s well-known around the show grounds as one of the nicest and most appreciative young equestrians, always congratulating her fellow competitors. Now, it’s Lydia’s turn to be in the spotlight!

17-year-old Lydia has owned 10-year-old “Rudy” since he was just two years old. They currently compete under the guidance of Brad Kearns. “He’s taught me to really like Showmanship. I didn’t used to like it, but now it’s one of my favorite classes. It gives you a sort of confidence.”

Although Lydia loves Rudy very much, she’s the first to recognize that he isn’t the easiest horse to show. “But, that’s what makes it so much more special. When you get that payoff, it makes it so rewarding.”

Going into today’s preliminaries, Lydia was a bit nervous about the 45 degree turn and set up, but thankfully Rudy came to the rescue. “I was really concerned about the 45 degree turn. I was really paranoid about that. I was worried about the simple things. I did think my 270 turn to the walk and then trot to the set up was great. When I got up to the cone, he was set up really well, and I didn’t have to touch him. That was really nice; because, in the preliminaries, there were two scratches before me, so I had to trot up to the cone. I was already frazzled. Also, I’m a nitpicker, and I get nervous in the set up, but he kind of did it for me.”

The Reserve Champion was Elsie Naruszewicz with Mister Youre A Doll. Third was Kori Kile with Selection So Gold. Fourth was Alexis Winemiller with Good Miss Cadillac. Fifth was Cassidy Ryder with Custom Hottie.