Morning AQHA Halter Champions Include Ross Roark With Sheza Secret Fantasy, Secretist, I Am Relentless, Hez Outa The Box, and It’s Gameday

UPDATE:

Click here to watch a video interview with Ross Roark.

By: Brittany Bevis

It was the Ross Show this morning at the 2017 AQHA World Championship Show during Halter classes. First, Ross showed Sheza Secret Fantasy to win Yearling Mares for owner, Mark Williams. This delicate filly is by Heza Secret Agent and out of BPF Fantasia. She was purchased as a weanling from Clark Rassi.

“Last year, she was Reserve here, and she won the Breeders’ Halter Futurity,” Mark says. “Today, Ross was three firsts and two seconds. Her mother, BPF Fantasia, is by Fearles and of a World Champion mare that Kathy Smallwood had called Touch Me Mister.”

What does Mark like best about his filly? “Everything! She’s so balanced and pretty with a great hock. She doesn’t have any defects. She’s really hard to fault, and she’s sweet.”

The Reserve Champion in the class was Ted Turner with Inexces. Third was Tom Robertson with Hip Hip Haray. Fourth was Buddy Laney with FG I’ve Got Charisma. Fifth was Steve Ferguson with Graceful.

Next, Ross showed Secretist to a win in 2-Year-Old Geldings for Vern Habighorst. The Reserve Champion was Jeffrey Pait with Grandiso. Third was Tim Finkenbinder with GLS Floozies Cool. Fourth was Tom Robertson with Stallone. Fifth was Ted Turner with Declined.

Ross’s third win of the day came with I Am Relentless in 3-Year-Old Stallions for Lea Ann Koch. This is a very special stallion for Lea Ann, because he’s homebred. “I had his grandmother, who was the last horse my dad bought me before he passed away,” she says. “Then, I had his mother and won here in Amateur and Luke won in Open. Her name is Best To Be Me. When I sold her to Vern Habighorst, I retained an embryo, and this is him. His father is Sirprizerized.”

Earlier in the show, Lea Ann showed “Luke” to a Reserve Championship finish in the amateur division.

“He’s the dream horse,” she says. “Bob Lee, who worked for me, loved Best To Be Me and Sirprizerized. When this colt was born, Bob said he was the whole deal. Unfortunately, Bob got pancreatic cancer and passed away before he could see him win last year.”

What does Lea Ann like best about Luke? “His neck and head! He’s gorgeous. His personality is second to none. I don’t care to show a stud, but he’s so quiet that it’s like showing a gelding, which is nice.”

Lea Ann is very excited about 2018, because Luke will have his first babies on the ground. “My dad’s birthday was January 17th and Bob’s was January 16th, and I have two mares due on those days: Jewels By Tiffany and Fearles Playgirl.”

The Reserve Champion was Tim Finkenbinder with Epic. Third was Luke Castle with ZS Celebrite GQ. Fourth was Tom Robertson with FG Phenomenal Fella. Fifth was Josh Larman with Gotta Naughty Streak.

Then, Ross led Hez Outa The Box to win Aged Stallions for Dick Donnelly. We chatted with Dick earlier in the show about his stallion. Click here to read more. The Reserve Champion was Tim Finkenbinder with Intentionally Made. Third was Ted Turner with FG Ambassador. Fourth was Luke Castle with Enchant. Fifth was Todd Grant with Inspirado.

Finally, the last win of the day came in Aged Geldings with It’s Gameday for Josh Weakly. We chatted with Josh the other day about his gelding. Click here to read more. The Reserve Champion was Jason Smith with Ima Cool Catch. Third was Tim Finkenbinder with Coolsified Secret. Fourth was Ted Turner with PF Chrome Rimz. Fifth was Mitch Leonarski with Vincenzo Zini. 

Following the conclusion of today’s Halter classes, a special presentation was made to the sponsors who donated a considerable amount of added money this year. Also, the announcement was made that Steve and Kathy Headley have committed to donate $50,000 over the next three years. Gary and Linda Gordon have committed to donate $50,000 over the next three years. Terry and Tammy Bradshaw have committed to donate $51,000 over the next three years. That’s a whopping total of $453,000!