Today’s AQHA World Halter Champions Include Weakly/Bad An Boujee, Anding/Lu Scion, Kennedy/Inspirado, Eurez/Best Kept Secrete, and More!

By: Brittany Bevis

Several World Champions have been crowned this morning at the 2017 AQHA World Show. First up, Josh Weakly led Bad An Boujee to win Amateur Weanling Colts. This colt has had a great fall, winning the Open and Amateur divisions of the Breeders’ Halter Futurity with Josh’s lovely wife, Kaleena. Today, Josh was four firsts and one second.

“I got lucky and drew that first hole again on the right side,” he says. “If you can get that here, you’re golden. I got lucky with the three-year-old gelding, Legacee, yesterday too.”

“I really like this colt. He’s very balanced, short backed, and not overdone. He’s just square with no issues. He’s very scopey.”

The Reserve Champion was Thomas Coon with Heza Golden Agent. Third was Scott Trahan with Evinceble. Fourth was Leslie Woolley with I Got Cool Luck. Fifth was Tammy Bradshaw with Telestrator.

Kim Anding won her first AQHA World title with Lu Scion in Amateur Yearling Colts. Kim and “Pickles” were also the L1 Champions.

“I’ve had him a year,” she says. “He was stalled in our aisle way at last year’s AQHA World Show. Tim Finkenbinder kept leading him by, and I thought he was such a nice colt. He had won at the Congress last year as a weanling. Then, he came here, and I bought him before he showed in the Open and was Reserve. I couldn’t wait to show him myself. It was so much fun.”

Kim explains that Pickles is by a lesser-known stallion, Crs Golden Nugget, but his dam is Enlightened, who is known for producing some great Halter horses. “I think his best feature is his presence. He’s short backed and has a beautiful croup. It’s almost, if you were to break it down, he’s the perfect horse.”

Coming up next, Pickles will be shown in the Open division by Steve Ferguson. The Reserve Champion was Nancy Dyer with Mr E Go. Third was Dan Fox with Romeiro. Fourth was Tammi Smith with Whoisit. Fifth was Marcia Lambrecht with Kennar.

Andrea Alderson was named the World Champion with Most Appealing Dream in Amateur Performance Mares. The Reserve Champion was Angie Schmeck with Only Classic Chips. Third was Chelsea Martz with Onlythebestchocolate. The L1 Champion was Vicky Long with Moonlight Mocha.

Breda Dean-Kennedy won her first World title, in Halter, in Amateur Performance Halter Stallions and the L1 Championship title with Inspirado. “I’ve been fortunate enough to own World Champions, but it was always my trainer or my late husband showing them. This is amazing. I did it myself.”

“I’ve had so much fun here. Everyone is so kind, and I know Scotty was watching me in heaven today. It couldn’t be more meaningful; it’s almost overwhelming.”

Making this win even more special, Breda and her 9-year-old stallion, “Pedro,” were presented with their golden globe by former owner, Angie Schmeck. Breda and Pedro have had a great year. Pedro won the Amateur and Open divisions at the Quarter Horse Congress and trainer, Todd Grant, showed Pedro to win the Open here. Earlier in the week, Breda and Pedro were Reserve in Amateur Aged Stallions as well. Coming up next, Todd and Pedro will show in Open Aged Stallions.

The Reserve Champion was Janis Howard with Like A Boss. Third was Megan Dante with Lookies Gotta Gun. Fourth was Lindsay Wadhams with Thecrowdlovesme. Fifth was Kyle Cause with Roan Hancock Hayes.

Finally, Robert Eurez led Best Kept Secrete to win Amateur 2-Year-Old Stallions. Robert was joined at the front of the line by Sarah Headley with Heartz On Fire, which was very special, because Robert purchased his stallion from the Headley family.

“I’m glad that Sarah was up there with me. That’s the way it was supposed to be. By the way, Headley’s, don’t eat dinner, because we’re going to Cattlemen’s Steakhouse tonight, on me! I was hoping it would be between her and I, and it wouldn’t have made me mad if she won and I was second.”

Robert says he’s had quite a lot of interest in people wanting to breed to his stallion following his Open, Amateur, and Grand Champion wins at the recent Quarter Horse Congress. Coming up in 2018, he will be standing alongside his father, Heza Secret Agent, at Griffey Equine Center.

“That first foal crop is really important to a young stud. Genetically, he ought to throw some good babies, like his daddy. The genetics are there, you can’t change that. Every one that’s born is not a winner. I’ve been in the breeding business for over 50 years, and the thing about the breeding business is if you breed 25 and you end up with four or five that hit the big shows, you’ve hit a home run.”

The Reserve Champion was Sarah Headley with Heartz On Fire. Third was Steven Jensen with Ese A Looker. Fourth was Barbara Hoffer with Not Kiddin Me Mister. Fifth was Rhonda Tippin with TF Bulletproof.