Morning APHA World Champions Include Arentsen, Simons, Smith, Roark, Veldman, and More
Sara
By: Brittany Bevis
Today’s classes kicked off this morning with Chris Arentsen leading Heza Cool Clue to win Weanling Geldings. Reserve was Terry Sartain with He’s So That N Macho. JT Mitchell led Expotential to win Weanling Stallions. Reserve was Kathy Smallwood with Whiskey Cavalier. Third was Fred Tabor with Brooks Last Dance.
Sara Simons rode Hez Blazin Trouble to win Junior Trail for new owner, Bonnie Sheren. Despite his colorful spots, 4-year-old “Parker” is in fact a double-registered gelding. Following his win in Green Trail, win in Junior Trail, and Reserve in Green Hunter Under Saddle, he will be headed to the Quarter Horse Congress and AQHA World Show.
“Ali Eidson bought him at the beginning of his three-year-old year with the hopes of him being her next great all-around horse,” Sara says. “We started adding more events this year, and Jason [Martin], Charlie [Cole], and Bonnie decided this would be a horse they would be interested in. So, now he’s part of the HighPoint team. They’re leaving him with me through the AQHA World.”
According to Sara, part of Parker’s appeal in Trail is his great expression and careful foot placement. “He’s a beautiful mover, and he’s a big horse- over 16 hands- but he’s really nimble. It’s easy for him to get through things, even when they’re tight. He’s a really fun horse to show.”
“His lope-overs are so fun, and I seem to practice those the most. We only had one rub, and I was thrilled with that on this course. It was elevated and probably more than he’s used to seeing, so I was really happy with his performance.”
Reserve was Dale Sullens with Designated Good. Third was Carly Parks with Cowboy Guns Blazing. Fourth was Bruce Vickery with Hunting Blue Skies. Fifth was Carly Veldman with One Good Cowboy.
Tim Finkenbinder with Stylin My Heart
In Yearling Geldings, Tim Finkenbinder led Stylin My Heart to a win. Reserve was Jason Smith with An The Winner Is. The winner of SPB Yearling Stallions was Ted Turner with I’ve Benhad. Reserve was Buddy Laney with FG Xxpectations. Third was Chris Arentsen with Boots N Bourbon.
Stylin My Heart, aka “Petie,” is a third generation home-bred for Deborah Instone. He’s by Hes Stylin and out of a Dominant Clue mare called Dominant Flirt. “I had his grandmother and then his mother and now him,” Deborah says. “This is his first World Show, and he also was a bronze championship at the Iowa Breeders Futurity and won the color division.”
When Petie hit the ground, Deborah knew she had a good one. “I love his back and neck. I always seem to get grullas or duns from this mare, and I’m always really pleased with that. Right now, she’s carrying his full brother. Hopefully, it’s at least a dun, but it could be a grulla. Who knows?”
Ross Roark with The Final Verse
The winner of Yearling Stallions was Jason Smith with Swole. Reserve was Ross Roark with Bases Loaded. Third was Ted Turner with Ima Dirty Addiction. Fourth was Kerry Aycock with CNC Call Me On Sunday. Fifth was Kathy Smallwood with FG He’s A Wild Card. Winning SPB Weanling Geldings was Joshua Larman with Intriguing Secret. Reserve was Chris Arentsen with Created Cooly. Third was Matt Henderson with Northwest Touch.
Ross Roark led The Final Verse to win 2-Year-Old Stallions. “Charlie” is by Acoolest Touchdown and out of Starletta Verse. He was purchased from the Wallinger family for Carolyn Stewart.
“We call him Charlie after my stepdad; because, when he saw pictures of him, he said, ‘Y’all need to buy that one!'” says Carolyn’s daughter, Cara-McMillian Gibson. “He’s a show horse. He’s never been hard. He always has his ears up, and he’s ready. He wants to show. I think he’s so modern looking and brings something different to Paint Horses. He has a great hock, great back, and his neck set couldn’t get any better. I feel like his markings emphasize his good qualities.”
In addition to winning the amateur division of the class here at the show, Charlie was also named the Grand Champion Stallion at the recent Breeders Halter Futurity. Next year, he will stand with Bill Huckabee and begin test breeding mares.
Jason Smith with Justified Intentions
Reserve was Tim Finkenbinder with Kidd Perfection. Third was Erin Henderson with My Mcconaughey. Fourth was Luke Castle with Coolest Gold Style. Fifth was Fred Tabor with Ratchetts Dunn. The winner of SPB Yearling Geldings was Jason Smith with Justified Intentions. Third was Ted Turner with Hes Got Finesse. Fourth was Coleen Kilpatrick-Riedl with Hes Stylin No Splash. Fifth was Jessica Lueth with Hes Obviously Sly.
Winning Senior Trail was Carly Parks with Get The Sensation. Owned by the Applegarth family, there is no secret that “Nick” is Carly’s favorite horse in the barn. “Everyone jokes, because we call him ‘Mr Perfect.’ Even when he’s being a brat, because he’s spoiled, we say it’s ok because he’s perfect. I’ve had him since he was three years old and taught him how to do Trail. We won Junior Trail when he was a five-year-old and were Reserve last year in Senior Trail.”
Carly has won Senior Trail at this show in the past, with Krymsunized, but today’s win is very special. “I think it’s such a big deal to win Senior Trail here, because it’s so competitive.”
Carly
In today’s pattern, Carly enjoyed Nick’s ease of moving from a fast gear to a slower one without missing any essential transitions. “He’s so good-legged and so slow over the poles. He always has his ears up and has tons of rhythm. He’s so big and pretty, and he’s dead quiet, so you can ask for every step.”
“I loved his extended lope-overs, because I could really push up to it. When I looked down, I could see his front leg soaring out there, so it felt really cool. In this pattern, you had to go from a gallop to a slow jog and lope-overs that were really intense to really slow controlled stuff. That’s what’s fun, because he’s so quiet that you can go for the gusto.”
Reserve was Sara Simons with One Flashy Sensation. Third was Troy Lehn with KM Jazz It Up. Fourth was Karen Qualls with Goodnight Charlie. Fifth was Karen Qualls with All Star Sensation.
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Ross with The Final Verse
Tim with Kidd Perfection
Ted Turner with I’ve Benhad
