Morning Wins at 2015 APHA World Show Go To Thompson, Ligon, Cassleman-Reed

By: Brittany Bevis

Competition is well underway this morning at the APHA World Championship Show and several World Champions have already been crowned. First, Nonie Cassleman-Reed rode Zeena Leena to win a 24-entry Amateur Ranch Riding class. The Reserve Champion was Rylee Morgan with Sparkn Big Fun. Third place was Melissa Habekorn with Vr Knockyour Socksoff. Fourth place was Emily Heldermon with Smart As A Bug. Fifth place was Marcy Blakely with Peptos Nic In Time. Stay tuned for the exciting Amateur Ranch Trail that’s scheduled to take place this evening at approximately 6:00 pm.

In Senior Pleasure Driving, Lisa Ligon piloted Jennifer Schexnayder’s gelding All Rise to win the class. The Reserve Champion was Scott Suggs with Zip Me All The Way Up. Third place was Mason Lyons with Hez Got It Go N On. Fourth place was Ryan Painter with Big Expectations. Fifth place was Mike Short with Timeless Assets.

Sharnai Thompson rode How Inviting during their debut performance and was named the World Champion in Classic Amateur Junior Western Pleasure. The Reserve Champion was Ali Eidson with Gametime Sensation. Third place was Carlee McDuffie with get The Sensation. Fourth place and the Intermediate Champion was Sarah Beth Carr with Only Good Intentions. Fifth place was Erin Bradshaw with I’m Johnny Cash.

Today’s win is quite special for Sharnai because it marks her first time winning a World Championship title in Western Pleasure at the APHA World Show. She was very pleased with the ride she was given on the 5-year-old red roan gelding named “Howie.”

“I really had the perfect ride today,” she says. “It was kind of a crowded pen, and they asked for a lot of different gaits. He’s young and hasn’t been shown that much, so I was trying to take care of him when passing, but he handled everything really well.”

Assisting with Howie’s preparations for today’s class were Maggie Grandquist and Ryan Painter. Later on this week, Maggie will show Howie in Junior Western Pleasure. “Maggie got him ready for me the last few days,” she says. “I’m pretty used to riding behind her, so we’ve got a pretty good system going. She was super easy to follow, and he is an easy horse.”

Sharnai and Howie also competed in Amateur Showmanship here at the Paint World. After taking a brief hiatus to concentrate on futurity prospects, Sharnai is eager to get back into the all-around pen next year in both APHA and AQHA competition. “We’re trying to get Howie started in all around classes, and that’s the plan next year for Rocky [Rock County Kid]. We’re taking it slow and making sure we’re really prepared for everything we’re going to show in.”

Rocky’s classes for next year will include Western Riding, Trail, Showmanship, and Horsemanship, as well as Western Pleasure. “We say he’s like that athlete in high school that’s good at every sport, makes straight A’s, and has the pretty girlfriend. That’s Rocky; he can do whatever he wants.”

On the schedule for the remainder of today’s classes is Masters Amateur Junior Western Pleasure, Senior Hunter Under Saddle, Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Yearling Longe Line, Non-Pro 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Sweepstakes, Green Western Pleasure, Amateur Ranch Trail Sweepstakes, 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure, Bridleless Western Pleasure, and 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Challenge.