NSBA World Champions Include Forness, Wahrmund, Simons, Leier, and More
Sara
By: Brittany Bevis and Eric Mendrysa
As we’re approaching the conclusion of the 2020 NSBA World Championship Show here in Tulsa, Oklahoma, there is a new group of winners to celebrate.
Aaron Moses was in the saddle of VS Lady In Red to win Senior Western Pleasure for Kristen Galyean. Reserve was Andy Cochran with Momma Knows Best. Third was Gil Galyean with Made By J.
Although “Lady” has won quite a few World Championship titles during her career, Kristen says that every win is special. “We feel blessed to be here and to be able to do what we love. Thank you to NSBA for putting on a great show.”
Aaron
“Lady was really good from start to finish. She has Western Riding tonight, and doing both on the same day can sometimes be tricky with how to prepare a horse, but she handles it great. Lady has been a huge blessing. She’s just so consistent and enjoys her job. She’s very spoiled and can be all over you and into everything on the ground. She’s mostly just looking for cookies!”
Sara Simons rode Al Of A Sudden to win Junior Trail for Mackenzie Preston. Reserve was Chad Evans with Florida Georgia Line. Third was Chad Evans with Sugaray.
The 4-year-old, double-registered gelding the Preston family fondly calls “Tulsa” has history here at the NSBA World Show. “He’s super special to us, because he looks just like our older gelding who passed away, Brokers Lucky Kid,” Mackenzie says. “We bought Tulsa off a picture in the NSBA sale and online bid for him.”
“He’s so sweet, loves to lick, and gives the best kisses. He’s quirky in the fact that he doesn’t care for treats, but feels that grain is just as good. This is a special win because it was his first NSBA World Championship title.”
Anthony
In Open Western Longe Line, Anthony Leier led Creepin Pass Me to a win. Reserve was Kenny Lakins with Invest N The Best. Third was Kathie Kennedy with Blaze In Trouble. This was a very special win for Anthony, because it’s his first NSBA World Championship in the class.
“He’s one of the most naturally correct horses I’ve ever gotten to train!” Anthony says. “He just wants to be up in his shoulders and strong across his back. He’s also the biggest puppy dog, and that makes him so enjoyable to be around. Really, the best part was knowing that he gave me a go that he normally does every day. He just wants to be a good horse. Knowing a horse like him doesn’t come around very often, I wanted this win pretty bad!”
Paris Hughes rode Party All The Time to win Select Hunter Under Saddle. Reserve was Sandra Morgan with Im Willy Good Today. Third was Cindy Schrader with Skye Miles. The winner of the Limited Maturity Hunter Under Saddle was Scott Jones with Couture Blue Genes. Reserve was Stacy Huls with Vinn Diesel. Third was Beth Crook with Gona Getcha Good.
Mike
In the Color BCF 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure, Mike Hachtel was the winner with RR Can’t Stop A Feelin. Reserve was Laura Spell with Smooth Like Daddy. Third was Garth Gooding with Made My Best. In Novice Amateur Trail, Melissa Wahrmund was named the winner with Krymsun Kryptonite. Reserve was Austin Jung with Moonlite Cruiser. Third was Juliana Blackburn-Baskin Arora with Been Sleepin.
Melissa says the hardest part about the pattern with “Clark” was knowing that the slow, technical aspects came at the end. “The hardest part was getting through the whole pattern, knowing it was really good, and then having the slow parts at the end. I had to keep my cool and keep everything calm to finish it out.”
Melissa
Clark was purchased at the NSBA World Show three years ago from Johnna Letchworth for Melissa’s mother. “I’d like to thank my husband and parents for letting me show Clark and to Johnna for letting us have this horse. Also, it was very special that my baby could be here for this win.”
Color Amateur 50 and Over Western Pleasure was won by Tim Snapp with Good To Know. Reserve was Heidi Webb with Bikinis Only. Third was Wendy Shuknecht with Suddenly Shes Shy. The Maturity $10,000 Limited Horse Western Pleasure was won by Shane Dowdy with Cool Aidy. Reserve was Sara Simons with Air Ryde. Third was Kaitlin Hutchinson with Made Sizzlin.
Color Amateur Horsemanship was won by Michelle Forness with Wrap Me In Red. Reserve was Deanna Green with Beez In The Trap. Third was Ellexxah Maxwell with Crank Up The Band.
Michelle
Michelle’s mount for the class was her three-year-old mare “Evie.” “This is the third Horsemanship class she has shown in, so I’m really proud of her,” Michelle says. “Just getting going is the hardest part with Evie, because she gets stuck sometimes. Starting off with the right turn, she looked into the turn and was ready to go, so I had a good feeling about the pattern at that point. She galloped strong and broke to the walk well. The no stirrups work was a little confusing to her, but she did ok with it.”
Michelle’s trainer, Robin Frid, fondly refers to Evie as the “Princess” and Michelle agrees that she’s quite the character. “She’s a total piglet in every way, because she’s always rolling in things and eats and sleeps nonstop. This win was special because it’s so rewarding to see her come along and get more confident in herself. Robin has put so much time in the Princess, as he calls her. I’m just grateful I did my part, stayed out of her way, and showed what he has taught her.”
