WCHA APHA World Halter Winners Include Vasi, Laney, Smith, and More

By: Brittany Bevis

To start off today’s WCHA Halter classes, Cheryl Vasi piloted her homebred filly, XA Ikan, to a nearly clean sweep in WCHA Open Junior Weanling Fillies. She won the Open division, Non Pro division, Color division, and Owner/Breeder/Exhibitor division.

“Penelope” is by Ikon and out of Cheryl’s double registered mare, Ambitious Bootylicious. Last week, at the Breeders Halter Futurity, she was the bronze champion in amateur. This filly is a true do-it-yourself project for Cheryl, who has done the fitting herself. “She was pretty special from the beginning. She’s just adorable. She’s got so much beauty to her, and she’s a nice balanced filly. She has a good hock, beautiful croup, and she’s great over her back.”

Penelope is double registered, as an APHA breeding stock and AQHA filly. The plan was to make this her final show of the year, but with WCHA’s addition of the new junior division classes at the AQHA World Show, the pair may just have to make the trip. “We will see how she bounces back,” she says.

 

The Reserve Champion was Katie Mitchell with Twin Peaks. Third was Fred Tabor with Brooks Obsession. Fourth was Gerald Fleisner with Tezzla. Fifth was Holly Moon with Uh Plauz.

Buddy Laney was at the lead of FG Centerfold for Linda Gordon today in WCHA Open Senior Weanling Fillies. The Reserve Champion was Julie Smith with Bittersweet. Third was Gene Parker with FG A Very Cool Charm. Fourth was Nancy Dyer with Secret Entention. Fifth was Chris Arentsen with Miss Alexandria.

“Centerfold” is by the Gordon’s stallion, Very Cool, and out of their mare, Miss Kittee, who was purchased from Vern Habighorst. Centerfold has been having quite the year winning unanimously at the Breeders Halter Futurity last week, as well as under all seven judges today. “She’s so pretty in her face and neck and so deep-hearted for a baby. Everybody thinks she’s a perfect little horse. She’s very easygoing, really good minded, and she’s been like that forever. She shows great. The World Show will be our next little adventure.”

With the success this filly has had thus far, Buddy says Linda definitely wants to hold on to her for a while. Buddy has worked for the family for the past five years. “They’re just like family,” he says.

Julie Smith and Bittersweet won the non pro division of the class. The Reserve Champion was Nancy Dyer with Secret Entention. Fourth was Greg Davis with My Ceecret. Fifth was Joy Stehney with Evva.

Julie and her homebred filly won the Non Pro division, Owner/Breeder/Exhibitor, and were the Reserve Champions in the Open. “We raised her and my daughter, Shyanne, and my mother-in-law showed her mother and both won World Championships with her. We bred her, let her carry, and she had her. Her barn name is Little Danny, because her mom is Danny.”

Just last week, Smith and Little Danny won the Breeders Halter Futurity Open Junior Weanling Fillies. Between the two shows, there is a bit of difference when it comes to the age ranges. Coming up next, the filly will go to the World Show.

 

Julie’s husband, Jason Smith, was at the lead of Trillions to win WCHA Open Yearling Stallions for Jim and Georgia Snow. The Reserve Champion was Luke Castle with DMM Double Oh Seven for Terry Bradshaw. Third was Terry Nutt with Juz Sayin. Fourth was Debra Powers with Cool In My Levis. Fifth was Kathy Smallwood with Dejavous.

Jim and Georgia purchased “Buster” as a weanling from Susan Voegele. He’s by their stallion, My Intention, and out of an APHA and AQHA World Champion mare.

“Georgia won at the Select World with five firsts. Then, Jason Smith showed him at the Breeders Halter Futurity and won the Open and was the Grand Champion Stallion. Georgia showed yesterday and won the Big Money with all firsts. We hope he will be a good junior sire for us some day.”

Terry Nutt was the Non Pro Champion. Debra Powers was the Reserve Champion. Dan Fox and FR Final Edition placed third. Fourth was Peggy Migliori with Affirmations. Fifth was Annette Schobel with MR Superstar Kid.