Talyn Smith and Sensational Me Win Their First AjPHA World Championship in Novice Youth 13 and Under Showmanship

The bubbly Miss Talyn Smith led her 14-year-old gelding Sensational Me, aka “Beetz,” to her first AjPHA Youth World Championship win in the Novice Youth 13 and Under Showmanship this morning in Fort Worth, Texas. Just last week at the 2013 Pinto World Championship Show, Smith and Beetz won the English Showmanship in their age division. Smith was thrilled to add this shiny, new, showmanship buckle and colorful neck ribbon to their growing collection.

“Beetz loves showmanship and trail,” Smith says. “It’s my favorite class, because my horse is really good at it and he loves it. This is my second World Show. So far I’ve done Equitation (3rd overall) and Hunter Under Saddle (7th overall).”

Later on this week Smith plans to compete in Trail, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, and Western Riding. Currently, the pair shows under the guidance of Cindy Sundgren.

Although today’s showmanship pattern was a little difficult, Smith says she enjoyed the challenge.

“I loved the back at the beginning, because it’s their first impression,” she says. “My horse is a good backer. Then, when we went around the corner, I was worried because I wasn’t sure if I was going to be in line with the judge and then in line with the cone.”

In addition to receiving her World Championship buckle, neck ribbon, and other assorted AjPHA prizes, Smith is excited about a little deal she made with her mother prior to the class.

“She said that if I won a buckle she would buy a necklace for herself that she really liked, and I might get a puppy!” Smith says. “The one I like is a Yorkie or a Shih Tzu.”

Novice Youth Showmanship 13 and Under:

1- Sensational Me/Talyn Smith (1, 1, 1, 2, 1)

2-Gota Take A Chance/Delaney Kough

3-She’s Relentless Taylor Burgess

4-RK Designer/Alexa Hattan

5-Pretty ClosetoPerfect/Avin Domingue