Morning APHA World Champions Include Smith, Chelwick, Snow, Niebrugge, Monfross, Maxwell, and More

By: Brittany Bevis

World Champions have been crowned in fast and furious fashion today at the APHA World Show. In the John Justin Arena, Spencer Chelwick rode Goodnight Charlie to win Amateur Trail. The Reserve Champion was Kylee John with Krymsunized. Third was Elizabeth Collins with Zippos Paycheck. Fourth was Maggie Griffin with I’ll Be Sensational. Fifth was Darcie Winiewicz with A Krymsun Legacy.

Over in the Watt Arena, Cooper Smith continued his family’s tradition of winning with a World Championship title in Amateur Weanling Geldings with Giorgio. His mother, Julie Smith, was Reserve with An The Winner Is. Third was Kathy Snodgrass with Dilly Dilly. Fourth was Billy Franks with TNR The Lone Ranger.

Giorgio was purchased at the Breeders Halter Futurity, during the Futurity Futures Sale, and he was shown there as well. “He won two classes and won quite a bit of money there,” Cooper says. Then, we brought him down here and won the Platinum Futurity. My dad won the Gold Futurity, and I won the Amateur today. He will show in the Open on Wednesday. He’s won close to $15,000 at both shows, and he won a trailer at the BHF.”

“Trisha Armstrong raised him. He’s not the biggest one, but he’s the most correct one. He will continue to grow and be better for years to come. One thing about it is that he’s stayed healthy the whole time we’ve traveled with him. Also, he’s so good minded, so that’s a big plus.”

Cooper thought it was quite fun that he got to show alongside his mother today. “We’ve been aggravating each other all day. He’s a nice colt. They raised him, so it’s great for all of us involved.”

Georgia Snow led her stallion, Trillions, to win Amateur Solid Paint Bred Yearling Stallions. The Reserve Champion was Gregory McBride with CNC Captain Barbosa. Third was Dillan Alberto with Hes That Obvious.

Mark Niebrugge was at the lead of Kidd Perfection to win Amateur Yearling Stallions, as well as the Lynn Simons Memorial Halter Futurity. The Reserve Champion was Cara McMillian-Gibson with The Final Verse. Third was Patricia Borland with My McConaughey. Fourth was Daisy Chenoweth with Callmee Tee Riffic. Fifth was Kelli Stuard with Coolest Dude.

Kidd Perfection, aka “Vinny,” has had quite the month winning $8,500 last week at the Breeders Halter Futurity and $2,500 this week. He’s by Mr Star Kid and out of a six-time World Champion mare, You Can Call On Me.

“He was bred by Dana and Joyce Haahr of Iowa, and I’ve had him with Chris Arentsen since we bought him as a baby,” Mark says. “After he won at the APHA World Show last year, we turned him out and just brought him back two to three months ago. He’s had a lot of time off.”

“This colt is really mature for a yearling. He’s very pretty and has a real natural hock. He’s very colorful and has more rear end than most.”

Coming up next, Chris Arentsen will show Vinny in the open division.

Colleen Monfross led Chromed In Style to win Amateur Yearling Geldings. The Reserve Champion was Jackie Weatherman with Hez A Cool Sinsation. Third was Danette Mulaney with Dialed In. Fourth was Nichole Hively. Fifth was Ashley Parker with Chosen. 

Amazingly, this was “Chrome’s” first horse show ever. The gelding, by Kid Forever In Style and out of a Radiant Image mare, was pulled in from the pasture just two and a half months ago. Colleen purchased Chrome at the end of June and has the horse in training with Ray Barton. “I was looking for a gelding, and I trust Ray’s opinion about horses. That was it.”

Not only was this Chrome’s first time in the show pen, it was Colleen’s third time showing. “He was a dream. He was absolutely perfect. He did exactly what I told him to do. It was the blind leading the blind!”

Kensy Maxwell led Heisman Winner to win Amateur 2-Year-Old Geldings. The Reserve Champion was Billy Franks with Hes That Xcellent. Third was Raegan Watson with LLR Hes So Cool. Fourth was Anita Wiescamp with Ikona. Fifth was Ashlee Lonon with Blue Intensions.

Kensy and “Bradford” currently compete under the guidance of Kelley Stone. The Maxwell family purchased the gelding last year at the Breeders Halter Futurity. He’s named after Sam Bradford, formerly of the Oklahoma State University football team, and now quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals. Kensy also has his full brother, a 3-year-old gelding named Heisman Pick, aka “Baker,” who is named after OU’s current quarterback, Baker Mayfield.

“I’d have to say that my favorite is Bradford. He’s really fun to show, but he’s always getting into trouble if you don’t watch him. He’s like a giant toddler. He would eat 500 peppermints if he could!”