Morning Winners at 2016 NSBA World Show Include Tierney, Lorton, Campbell, and Willis

By: Brittany Bevis

Action is well underway during Day 3 of the NSBA World Championship Show with Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, Longe Line, Western Riding, and Trail running concurrently in multiple arenas.

First, Meghan Tierney and Pretty Assets were named the champions of the BCF 3-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle. Meghan had her eye on the pretty bay mare by Allocate Your Assets last year when she was being campaigned by Alexandra Chavez and Troy Lehn. “We bought her in January and started showing her in April. I always watched her last year when Alex and Troy had her, and I loved her then. I never thought in a million years that we would own her. Then, a Facebook message later we flew down to Nancy Sue Ryan’s place, and the next day we bought her.”

Currently, Meghan and Pretty Assets compete under the guidance of Keith Miller, who rode the mare to a win in 3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle at the Little Futurity this summer. Also, here at the show, they will be competing in the NSBA Limited and Open 3-Year-Old Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle, NSBA 3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle, Amateur Hunter Under Saddle, Open Hunter Under Saddle, and Junior Hunter Under Saddle.

“She’s been incredible,” Meghan says. “She’s such a competitive horse. Honestly, she could leave me at the gate and go in the class by herself. It’s like she’s thinking, ‘I know I’m the best, and I’m going to rock it.’ It’s such an incredible feeling to have such a competitive and driven animal.”

Over in the Longe Line pen, John Lorton led Smooth Details to three back-to-back wins in BCF Non-Pro Hunter Longe Line, Non-Pro Hunter Longe Line, and Limited Non-Pro Hunter Longe Line. “Lacey” is by Next Detail and out of a Zippo Jack Bar mare named Zips Smooth Sally. “I was lucky enough to buy her from the girls at BSB Quarter Horses,” John says. “I showed her sister at the Congress a couple years ago. Her name was Just Like June, and we were 3rd and 4th place. They are very similar. They both have quite the personalities and are strong mares.”

John brought Lacey back to Indianapolis in January with the ultimate goal being the NSBA World Championship Show. Oddly enough, John says he isn’t a huge fan of the discipline. “The surprising thing is that I’m not a huge Longe Line fan. She’s got a lot of natural carriage and lift. She swings through her shoulders and sits on her hocks. She has all the parts; I just put it together on the line!”

John feels this filly will have a bright future under saddle next year due to her willing mind and smooth movement. “I think it’s mental,” he says. “She’s going to be a great show horse down the road. She’s got a good heart and a lot of try. I think a horse needs that to be a good show horse.”

Over in the Trail pen, 18-year-old Brynn Campbell from Canada won her first NSBA World Championship title with Poison Rain, aka “Isaac,” a roan gelding she purchased in October of last year. This pair currently competes under the guidance of Dana Hokana.

“Two years ago, there was an expo in Red Deer, Alberta, and I was in one of Dana’s clinics with my other horse. We hooked up there and got a bit of a connection. Then, she invited me to come to one of her clinics in Montana.”

Although her first go this morning in Youth Trail didn’t go quite as planned, Brynn wasn’t discouraged. She was confident they would be able to redeem themselves in Novice Youth Trail.

“The first time we went in Youth Trail this morning, he was looking around and tried to chew the bush! But, during the second go, he was focused and listening. He waited on me and was slow-legged and beautiful over everything. He felt amazing.”

Tomorrow, the pair will compete in Novice Youth Horsemanship.

Finally, in the Western Pleasure pen, Casey Willis racked up another title in BCF 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure aboard KM Suddenly So Easy for owner Masterson Farms, LLC. “Penelope,” is by RL Best of Sudden and out of Easy Zippin Machine.

“We’ve been busy,” Casey says. “We won the 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure at the Larry Little Futurity, the Open 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure at the Tom Powers Futurity, Intermediate Non Pro Three-Year-Old Western Pleasure at the Tom Powers, and Marilyn qualified for the Select World Show.”

Casey believes it’s this mare’s willingness and easygoing personality that allows her to do double duty as both an open and non-pro horse. “Everything is easy for her, and she loves her job.”

Look for Casey and Penelope as well as Marilyn and Penelope at the AQHA Select World Show, All American Quarter Horse Congress, and AQHA World Championship Show later this year.

Other big winners from this morning include Jeff Long with Moonlightin in BCF Intermediate Open 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure, Rebekah Kazakevicius with Not Just Anyhoo in Maturity Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle, Haley Hartman and Al Fool Ya in BCF 3-Year-Old Open Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle, and Deanna Searles with Al Be Desirable in BCF 4-6-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle.