Mitchell and Smith Win Open Yearling Mares Classes at 2014 APHA World Show
JT Mitchell with Xcellent
By: Brittany Bevis
The old adage, “happy wife, happy life,” is advice JT Mitchell certainly takes to heart, especially when it comes to purchasing new halter prospects. Following his win today in Open Yearling Mares with Xcellent, a filly by Execute and out of a daughter of Mr. Elusive, Mitchell spoke candidly about the day he and his wife Katie decided to purchase “Maria.”
“It was a beautiful day, and I was playing golf, so I sent [my wife] Katie to look at her,” Mitchell says. “She was still on her momma; we never buy one on their momma. Anyways, I’m one the ninth hole and Katie calls and says this filly is just striking. I said, ‘I understand that, but she’s still on her momma.’ She said, ‘Well, don’t be mad, but I already bought her.’ I said, ‘You did what!'”
That decision proved to be the right choice as Xcellent has since gone on to gain accolades at the 2013 APHA World Show and 2014 Pinto World Show earlier this year.
Breeder Cathi Lawrence Robinson with Katie and JT Mitchell.
“Katie showed her here last year, did very well, and won the Breeders’ Halter Futurity,” he says. “We took her and won at the Pinto World this summer. Then, Phil and Sue Drawdy from Florida bought her. They’ve had her on the east coast where she’s been winning and they brought her back about 45 days ago for us to get her ready for this. Sue won the Amateur a few days ago.”
We had to ask Mitchell about this particular filly’s interesting markings, splashes of white that wrap around both front legs. While some trainers might stray away from this type of coloring, due to the optical illusion it can create on a horse’s front legs, Mitchell has no qualms about a splashy Paint, as long as they have the conformation to back it up.
“It’s a very unusual marking, because Execute just has a little white,” Mitchell says. “He was a crop-out, and it was one of the first year’s they allowed crop outs in AQHA. Then, the mare is all Quarter Horse. It’s a unique marking that you can’t miss.”
Check out Maria’s unique white markings.
Following the Yearling Mares class, Jason Smith led Undominated Outcome to a win in Solid Paint-Bred Yearling Mares. The Reserve Champion was Olin Parker with Ucan Call Me Rita. Third place was Tim Finkenbinder with Grand Classic Lady.
Open Yearling Mares–
1-Xcellent/JT Mitchell
2-Marabella/Jodi Finkenbinder
3-RJN Centerfold/Jason Smith
4-Shezmaknacquisitions/Clint Fullerton
5-Pure Ambition/Joshua Larman
6-BeadsandBourbon Street/Terry Sartain
7-The Way I Am/Fred Tabor
8-Pretty Pretty Pretty/Olin Parker
9-FF Remembrance/Floyd Danley
10- Only To Be Admired/Kerry Aycock
This makes 10 titles for the Mitchell’s Show Horses team here at the APHA World Show.
Solid Paint-Bred Yearling Mares-
1- Undominated Outcome/Jason Smith
2-Ucan Call Me Rita/Olin Parker
3-Grand Classic Lady/Tim Finkenbinder
4-Pena Cool Ada/Trisha Shorten-Armstrong
5-LJL Scandalous/Joshua Larman
