10/17 Congress Champions Include Searles, Shepard, Smith, Vargo, Pezan, and More

By: Brittany Bevis

Youth Halter Mares classes started bright and early this morning with 12-year-old Colton Smith leading Sheza Premadonna to win Youth Yearling Mares. Reserve was Elizabeth West with Stellas Finest Rose. Third was Alissa Zigo with No Bling Needed. Fourth was Regan Lewis with Hotterthanuimagined.

“She used to belong to Amy Erhardt, so her name is Amy,” Colton says. “She’s by PF Premo and out of Dawns Cool Girl. I’ve been showing her for this whole year.”

Amy was actually a surprise for Colton that was purchased by his parents. “We bought her last year at the World Show. I thought they were picking her out for Jerry Robinson, and then I realized she was for me! I was ecstatic, because she’s a really nice mare. At the Youth Word, she was very well-trained. I got third and won the 13 and Under.”

This is Colton’s first win at the Congress, and he’s extremely excited. Although this young man is only twelve, he definitely has a good grasp of what makes a Champion Halter horse. “I think she’s a really good Halter horse, because of her frame. When she stands up, she has her ears up, and her hocks are all nice, and everything looks exactly like we want it to.”

Youth 2-Year-old Mares was won by Trent Searles with Shes That Radiant. Reserve was Katherine West with Apleezing. Third was Kaylee Hamm with Pretty Charming. Fourth was Wyatt Holtery with Design By Christine.

Youth 3-Year-Old Fillies was won by Kaylee Hamm with Partee Down Kid. Reserve was Grant Mastin with Certainly A Shot. Third was Aubrey Cimochowski with BMQ Only Blue. Fourth was Riley Long with I’m Willy Sleepy.

RJ Shepard II led Scarlet O’Harra to win Youth Aged Mares. Reserve was Kaylee Hamm with CF Blindingly Cool. Third was Olivia Hill with Terrakata. Fourth was Ava Specht with Shez Telling Me. Fifth was Kensley Porter with Cowgirls Don’t Cry.

Scarlet O’Harra was not the horse that RJ was supposed to show here at the Congress. At the Youth World Show, he led Hes The Package to win Youth 3-Year-old Geldings. Sadly, two days after they retuned home, the horse had to be euthanized. After a fellow exhibitor learned what had happened, they offered to let RJ show their mare here at the Congress. “I was lucky enough to be showing such a great horse and to have the opportunity of a lifetime,” RJ says. “Unfortunately, we had to put down the one that I showed at the Youth Word, two days after we got home. One of our clients couldn’t make it to the Congress, and, after what happened, they offered to let me show her.”

RJ certainly did an excellent job of showing Scarlet, and they were named the unanimous Congress Champions. “She’s an amazing mare. Overall, she’s a great horse in the sense of her personality, and her body type is one of few that any horse can possess. It’s full and, in a way, it’s remarkable.”

Natalie Vargo led She Had Me At Hello to win Performance Halter Mares. Reserve was Shelby Cochran with Lazy Open Invitation. Third was Kaitlyn Smith with Always Decked Out. Fourth was Taylor Leone with Sleepin In On Sunday. Fifth was Alexis Winemiller with Good Miss Cadillac.

The Grand Champion Youth Mare was Shes that Radiant, led by Trent Searles. The Reserve Champion was Apleezing, led by Katherine West. Stay tuned for a video interview with Trent coming soon.

13-year-old Nichole Pezan rode Soo Sophisticated to win Level 1 Trail 13 and Under. Reserve was Shaelyn Boutelle with Beau Patrick. Third was Alexa Brown with Corporate Credit. Fourth was Avery Mortman with Just A Touch More. Fifth was Lenora Roberts with Don’t I Look Good.

Nichole has competed under the guidance of Tommy Sheets for two years. This is her first time winning at the Congress, but last year she was named the Reserve Champion in 11 and Under Trail. Nichole’s horse, an 8-year-old gelding she calls “Chase,” is by Sophistication Only. “I’ve had him for two years, and we’ve just now really been coming together. I love him.”

Nichole’s favorite class to compete in with Chase is Showmanship, but Trail is a close second. Coming up next, they will show in Showmanship, Equitation, and Hunter Under Saddle.

In today’s pattern, Nichole especially liked her spin in the box and the fact that she was able to accomplish something her trainer gave her as a goal. “My box was really good. We got all our lope overs in our spots, so I was excited about that. Also, Tommy told me to make sure I didn’t hit the back through. Overall, it was a very good pattern.”