Youth Halter Mares Congress Champions Include Britt/Tee Coolest Intent, Carter/Sweep Me Away, Mask/PF Elusive Lover, Gibson/Candys Mirror Image, and More!

By: Brittany Bevis

Youth Halter Mares classes have been flying by here in the Coliseum at the 2017 All American Quarter Horse Congress. First up, Tory Grace Layton led Pscsmoothsummerdaze to win Youth Weanling Mares. Next, Christian Mark Britt led Tee Coolest Intent to win Youth Yearling Mares.

Britt and his pretty mare just came off a very successful AQHA Youth World Show where they were named the World Champions in Yearling Mares. Guiding Britt and Tee Coolest Intent in their preparations for today’s class was Gene Parker, who gave Britt some helpful advice before he entered the pen for today’s class. “He tells me to be easy in my hands and not to get rough with her. He also tells me to go first in the line. She’s a really pretty mare, and she has a nice top line. She stood still and cooperated today.”

Tee Coolest Intent is by Tee Coolest and out of a daughter of Noble Tradition. This pair will return for Grand and Reserve later today. The Reserve Champion in the class was Will Niebrugge with Cool Litl Doll. Third was Aubrey Chimonchowski with BMQ Only Blue. Fourth was Paige Kingery with Bar B A Chexy Chick.

In Youth 2-Year-Old Mares, Margaret Carter led Sweep Me Away to a big win. The Reserve Champion was Bradyn Burke with Shez Cool N Elusive. Third was Tyler Shafer with Miss Delta. Fourth was Tory Grace Layton with PSC Cool Array. Fifth was Chapman Maraman with Impulsively Loping.

Carter and “Mia” have been team since last spring. They came to the Congress in 2016 and were named the Champions in Youth Yearling Mares, so to come back and be a return champion is very exciting. “It’s been a fun year,” Carter says. “At the Youth World this year, we were third and we won Level 2.”

This pretty mare by Heza Stemwinder competes under the guidance of Tom Robertson. Carter says her trainer has definitely helped boost her confidence when showing her horses. “He’s definitely gotten my confidence up. When I first started, I was so nervous because they’re so big. He’s helped me to trust the horse, relax, and make it happen. He tells me to come at the young horses easy. Don’t try to fix something right away. You have to ease into it.”

Later on in the show, Carter will compete with Coos Me In The Dark in Youth Aged Geldings and a brand new horse just purchased yesterday, California Cool, in Youth Yearling Geldings. She also plans to show her rider, Something To Remember, in Western Pleasure and Novice Horsemanship, under the guidance of Prime Quarter Horses.

In Youth 3-Year-Old Mares, Erin Nicole Mask was at the lead of PF Elusive Lover to win. The Reserve Champion was Kendall Rose Cloud with Kids Cool Dixie. Third was Tara Salmans with Sheza Starlet Hit. Fourth was Alexa Brooks with Gia Le Diva. Fifth was Sarah Johnson with Ikonic Style.

A 16-entry Youth Aged Mares class was won by McKenna Gibson with 6-year-old Candys Mirror Image. McKenna is only 12 years old, and this is her first Congress Championship title! “Candy is real sweet, and that’s what I love her for,” Gibson says. “She a really good mare, and she’s always there to take care of me.”

As far as Candy’s best attributes are concerned, Gibson likes her pretty head and straight top line. “She’s got a nice straight line from her withers to her back. He’s really pretty headed as well and has a lot of muscle.”

Gibson has competed under the guidance of Monte and Anna Horn for the past two years. This year marked her first trip to the Youth World where she placed fourth and won the Level 2 portion of the Youth Aged Mares class.

Gibson is very excited to be competing in Grand and Reserve today after the Performance Halter class has been placed. She thoroughly loves showing Halter horses. “Whenever I go out there, I feel a strong connection with them.”

The Reserve Champion was Erin Mask with Sheza Te Coolest Kid. Third was Garrett Freeman with Pitchin Some Heat. Fourth was Seth Whitney-Wekar with JVF Blond Temptation. Fifth was Kelsey Nobles with Shes Ready To Rage.