Morning Halter Wins Go To Colton Stewart, Cade Prime, Calley Huston, and Kaylee Hamm

By: Brittany Bevis

First up in today’s Halter classes, 14-year-old Colton Stewart won his first World Championship title in Yearling Geldings with Classic Intention. Colton has been coming to the Youth World Show since he was ten years old, and this is his first time taking home a golden globe.

Although he wasn’t too keen on showing such a young horse in Halter classes today, he admits it was a good decision on his trainer, Ross Roark’s, part. “I didn’t really want to show him at first. I would’ve rather shown my mare, but it worked out well! He’s pretty tall and he has a good head and neck. Also, he’s pretty square.” Colton was also able to show his favorite Halter horse, Romantic Intentions, to a fifth place finish in 3-Year-Old Mares.

The Reserve World Champion and L2 Champion was Erin Wright with TNR Ecredibly Cool. Third place was Nathan Wright with TNR Constant Motive. Placing fourth and the Reserve L2 Champion was Taylor Britt with Well Kept Man. Fifth place was Millie Landon with Amazing Vaquero.

Up next, Cade Prime showed Morthanamazing, aka “Goliath,” to win 2-Year-Old Geldings. Cade and Goliath have been team since the gelding was a yearling, but this is their first time at the Youth World. They currently compete under the guidance of trainer, Tom Robertson.

While Goliath is a beautiful representation of a Quarter Horse, Cade admits that all horses have flaws. So, he makes sure to set up Goliath to show off his best attributes. “I really like his hip and how his neck ties into his shoulders. I don’t so much like his front feet, so I just have to make sure I get him set up right and that he keeps all his weight on them. Also, his neck has a little crown to it, so I make sure to keep his head up high and don’t let him get all scrunched up.”

The Reserve Champion in the class was Nathan Wright with TNR Top Of The Ninth. Third place was Calyn Halvorson with BRT Classic Edition. Fourth place and the L2 and 13 and Under winner was Jenna Engle with BPF Fear The Dark.

In 3-Year-Old Mares, Calley Huston led FG Cleopatra to the win. Calley has only shown “Cleo” for a few months now. She competes unde the guidance of her longtime trainer, Buddy Laney, a man she describes as “practically like a stepdad.”

Last year, Calley won Aged Geldings with Intoxicating, but she didn’t know if that good fortune would carry over to the show this year. “You never know when you’re here,” she says. “When they were calling out the placings, I was just waiting for my name to be called. I wasn’t expecting to be the last one. It can go either way, but I know she’s very pretty and very big. Honestly, I was just happy with whatever I got.”

It’s the mare’s immense size and sculpted hip that Calley thinks gives her an extra edge over the competition. “First of all, she is huge. She has a big hip, and everything on her is big. That’s pretty much what they’re looking for in Halter. Everything has to fit together and look balanced and even. She fits all the categories really well.”

Calley is still debating whether or not to attend the Quarter Horse Congress this year; because, four days after the Youth World, she’s moving into college at Oklahoma State University where she will be competing on their Horsemanship team. But, before she takes off, she plans to show Colossal Asset, aka “Bongi,” in Equitation and Rita On The Rocks, aka “Rascal,” in Ranch Riding.

The Reserve Champion in the class was Coralee Castle with Doin What She Likes. Third place was Dylan Madden with Wisshes. Fourth was Tara Coshocton with Sheza Starlet Hit, who was also the L2 Champion. Fifth was Colton Stewart with Romantic Intentions. Calyn Halvorson and Intended Too were named the L2 Reserve Champions.

Finally, Kaylee Hamm led Guns and Lace to a repeat win in Aged Mares. Not only did Kaylee and 5-year-old “Lacee” win Aged Mares at the Youth World last year, she was also the Grand Champion at the All American Quarter Horse Congress.

Today’s win was especially sweet for Kaylee because she had a birthday just a few days ago. She turned 17 on Friday. Some of her favorite birthday presents included Alex and Ani bracelets from Grandma and Grandpa. It’s also bittersweet because Kaylee was supposed to show another horse here at the Youth World, RPL My Te Cheerful, in Aged Geldings. Sadly, “Henry” passed away suddenly a few months ago, so instead Kaylee and Monica Hamm stood in the center of the arena as a memorial video played and they handed out awards to this year’s champions. “It’s been tough coming here, especially hearing people give us their condolences. Being able to do the awards was amazing as well as having the chance to represent him on behalf of our family.

The Reserve Champion was Nathan Wright with Lookin For Romance. Third was Erin Mask with Sheza The Coolest Kid. Fourth place and the L2 winner was McKenna Gibson with Candys Mirror Image. Fifth place and the Reserve Champion was Garrett Freeman with Pitchin Some Heat.