Morning AQHA World Champions Include Simons, Weakly, Cook

By: Brittany Bevis

Congratulations is in order for several World Champions that have been crowned this morning at the 2020 AQHA World Show. First, JR Cook made all of his ladies proud by winning Amateur 2-Year-Old Mares unanimously with KR Xfiniti. Earlier in the show, Grandpa (Bob Cassata) also led “Snickers” to a unanimous win in Select. Now it’s all up to Monte Horn in the open division to score one more gold trophy for those little girls. No pressure…

“She’s pretty new to our family,” JR says. “We bought her from the Kull Ranch, and I really like her. Friday was the first day I saw her. She was really good today, and she hasn’t been shown very much. I want to say it’s her third horse show. She has a little bit of a bright lights expression and stuff, but she wants to be good.”

JR not only loves this mare’s overall balanced conformation; he also loves her mind, which is a pre-requisite for this young family. “She’s really an example of what a Halter horse should look like. She’s short backed, real strong legged, and has a good neck. I think she’s the type of horse that will consistently and steadily grow. Georgia [my oldest daughter] will be able to show in AQHA next year, and this mare seems like she’s very good minded.”

In Amateur 2-Year-Old Geldings, Josh Weakly led Tattle Tailz to a win. Reserve was Mariah Gipson with HR Ante Up. Third was Laura Perniciaro with He Is The Exception.

Josh explains that Gerri Leigh Pratt raised the horse, and he purchased him through Ross Roark last year prior to the Iowa Breeders Futurity. “Here at the World Show last year, I won in Amateur and Ross was Reserve. I have not shown him since I showed him here last year, and that’s pretty typical Ross Roark style. We never practiced. He said he was good to go.”

“I think he’s very balanced with a pretty back and face. His neck ties into his shoulder well, and he has good hocks. Ross always says he looks like a Quarter Horse. There isn’t really anything abut him you don’t like. He’s a good, safe solid horse.”

In Amateur 2-Year-Old Stallions, the winner was Jana Simons with FG Commander N Chief. Reserve was Robin Robinett with Be Shameless. Third was Travis Thompson with Kidscoolsifiedstyle.

“Commander” is by Execute and out of Phenomenal Ms. Jana purchased the stallion earlier this year from Fossil Gate Farms and headed straight to the Iowa Breeders Futurity, where they took home wins in the amateur and open divisions. All fitting on this horse has been done by Joaquin Delon, and Tim Finkenbinder will show the stallion in the open division next week.

“I like how balanced he is,” Jana says. “He’s really good across his back and withers. He fits together well, and he has so much presence in the pen. Joe has done it all. He’s the man. He got him ready, and I get to stand there.”

This win was a bit emotional for Jana, because she’s never shown at the AQHA World Show before, and this was her late father’s favorite event. “When I was out there in the lineup, Commander was dancing around a bit, and Brian Ellsworth asked if I was having fun. I told him that this is what my Dad and I used to do together, so I will do this all day long.”