Gordyville Spring Fling Wraps Up With 9,500 Entries

By: Cami Van Aken

The Gordyville Spring Fling wrapped up a 10 day run on Sunday with the Illinois Quarter Horse Youth Association Show and just under 9,500 total entries!  Michael Colvin, Gretchen Mathes, Rob Meneely, and Chris Thompson judged the second half of the show.

Since the second weekend was the ILQHYA show, the youth did a wonderful job getting every class sponsored and getting gorgeous gift baskets for their auction to benefit the ILQHYA. They also raised money through the $200 added Bouncy Horse Calcutta that got a little wild. There are several videos of this making the circulation on Facebook! This money will help the youth as they prepare to go to the World show this summer. ILQHYA President, Hannah Tapling says, “The participation has really increased this year. There is a great group of kids that really want to work and get involved.” Along with the wonderful Gordyville staff, they also organized several events, including a pizza party, a donut breakfast, and a milk and cookies party.

The youth also voted for the Tyler Auth Sportsmanship award. It was a really beautiful presentation with the award going to Taylor O’Boyle. Taylor is the daughter of Thad and Kim O’Boyle. Taylor can often be seen helping out at Gordyville, passing out awards, and supporting the other kids. Her love for the horses and happy presence is appreciated and loved by the Illinois Youth!

There was over $12,500 in prize money given out over the two weekends. Some of that went to the $2,500 NSBA Level 1 Trail Slot Class winner. Congratulations to Chillin Ona Dirt Road and Melissa Jones, riding for owner Klair Merrell! They took home a check for $1,233 and other prizes. Melissa said she has just started working the gelding in Trail over the last few months. “He just naturally wants to be careful and keeps getting better.” He’s also showing in the Youth all-around with his owner, Klair Merrell.

Jessica Baird and her mare, Cool Lopin Lady, took home the win and $329 in the $500 added Showmanship Slot Class. Willow is by Lazy Loper and out of Jessica’s mare, Cool Movin Lady. “It has been really cool seeing her as a baby and then getting to do the all around with her,” Jessica says.

The last of the slot classes, the $500 Added Horsemanship Slot Class was won by Alexandrea Albright and The Best Gift Yet.  The pair took home $238 and was also named the Reserve Champion in the Showmanship Slot Class.

Trail Slot Class

1.  Chillin Ona Dirt Road Melissa Jones Klair Merrell $1233.52

2.  HP Prime Time Jason Gilliam Kaleena Weakly $979,56

3.  An Innocent Cowboy Jeff Greaves Amy Wilhelm $725.60

4.  I Am Batt Man Jennifer Paul Tera Gore $362.80

5.  Earn An Invitation Alex Sifuentes Patricia Bogosh $326.52

Showmanship Slot Class

1.  Cool Lopin Lady Jessica Baird $329.60

2.  Best Gift Yet Alexandrea Albright $226.60

3.  Sure A Hot Krymsun Lydia Brahler $195.70

5.  Lazy Lookin Lady Morgan Brickham $92.70

6.  Ima Tuff Barpasser Caroline Fredenburg $82.40

7.  Earn An Invitation Patricia Bogosh

8.  Invitation By Choice Rachel Nissen

9.  One Hot Shade Of Gray Chayna DeNicolo

10.  My Details Are Hot Luann Meyer

Novice Division

1.  SH Counting Stars Kara Flentje

Horsemanship Slot Class

1.  Best Gift Yet Alexandrea Albright $238

2.  One Hot Big Leaguer Elizabeth Forney $189

3.  Earn An Invitation Patricia Bogosh $140

4.  One Kool Fool Nicole Barnes $70

5.  Aint I Sumthin Thad O’Boyle $63

6.  Ima Tuff Barpasser Caroline Fredenburg

7.  Krymsun N Gold Bethany Valentine

8.  Mr Class Action Brittany Urwin

Novice Division

1.  Venture Assets Brianna Merklin