Monday AQHA World Halter Recap: Wins Go to Roth, Ware, Weakly, Robinson, Dobbs, and Berris

By: Brittany Bevis

Halter classes kicked off this afternoon at the 2016 AQHA World Championship Show. First, Johnna Dobbs led Mytesly to win Amateur Performance Halter Geldings and complete the gelding’s undefeated winning streak for 2016. The Reserve Champion in the class was Debbie Kuffer with Tees Coolest. Third was Katie Grossnickle with Always the Best Man. Fourth was Angela Fox with The Company You Keep. Fifth was Ruth Robinson with Aint I Awilly.

In Amateur Yearling Fillies, Joni Roth led Baby Im Worth It to the win. They were followed in Reserve by Suzonne Franks with Say Grace. Third was Kim Anding with Anny Oak Lee. Fourth was Joy Stehney with Even. Fifth was Cosmo Pelaia with Sole Gunslinger.

Josh Weakly led Legacee to win Amateur 2-Year-old Geldings. Coming in Reserve was Kathleen Williams with Eezy Money. Third was Robin Robinett with JCG Game On. Fourth was Drew Smith the Initially A Cool Kid. Fifth was Julie Muench with The Best Intention.

JL Robinson was at the lead of PF Premo to be named the unanimous winner in Amateur Aged Stallions. The Reserve Champion was Angie Watts Schmeck with Inspirado. Third was Billy Franks with Ecredible. Fourth was Rosalie Carlson with How D TGI Friday. Fifth was Edward Becker with Maxis.

We had the opportunity to speak with Billy Franks, who not only placed third with his stallion Ecredible, he was also named the Level 2 Champion in the class. Suffice to say, Billy was surprised to receive the honor. “I had no clue until the announcer said I may not want to leave the arena. I’m used to the principal calling me into the office, because I’ve done something, so I was wondering what I did wrong!”

All joking aside, the Franks family has had a great day so far, with Suzonne Franks placing Reserve in Amateur Yearling Fillies with Say Grace, third in Amateur 3-Year-Old Stallions with Incognito Sirprize, and fourth in Amateur Aged Mares with Lookin For Romance.

“Eli” is a 2010 sorrel stallion by Mr Elusive and out of Lindys Little Secret, by The Top Secret. He is a World Champion in his own right as well as a World Champion producer. He stands at the Franks’ ranch in Cisco, Texas.

“He really is a neat horse to be around, for a stallion. He’s easy to get along with and fun to be around. There’s not a lot of push back. He knows his job and does it well.”

Billy is thrilled with Eli’s third place finish and Level 2 Championship, considering the high quality of stallions in today’s class. “There were a lot of great stallions in the class today. To be the bronze champion and L2 Champion with all of those horses is wonderful. I’m all about congratulating other people and seeing them win, as well.”

Now that he has two trophies, one bronze and one gold, and the show day is over, we wondered what his plans were. “I’m going to take my wife to McDonalds.”

Frank Berris led It’s Gameday to win Amateur Aged Geldings. He was followed in Reserve by Jeff Habighorst with RPL My Te Cheerful. Third was Lynn Flowers with Whos Dat Boy. Fourth was Linda Terry with My Daddyis Cool. Fifth was Suzonne Franks with Retrabution.

In Amateur 3-Year-Old Stallions, Justin Ware led Fearles Fortune to a win. The Reserve Champion was Richard Donnelly with Hez Outa The Box. Placing third was Suzonne Franks with Incognito Sirprize.

In Amateur Aged Mares, Josh Weakly led PF Supreme Surprise. The Reserve Champion was Vern Habighorst with Guns and Lace. Third was Jeff Habighorst with Miss Kittee. Fourth was Suzonne Franks with Lookin For Romance. Fifth was Thomas Coon with Dream Big Dreams.