Congress Amateur Gelding Champions Include West, Czerwinski, Weakly, Headley, Bladen, and More

By: Brittany Bevis

Today’s Amateur Gelding classes started off with an emotional win for Anthony Bladen. Just yesterday, he had to put down his beloved 3-year-old mare, Mandalae Bay, here at the show. He wasn’t sure if he was up to showing today in Amateur Yearling Geldings; however, he decided to give it a shot. He ended up being named the Amateur Open and Limited Champion with Solair.

“I had one of the saddest days of my life yesterday when my favorite mare had to be put down,” Anthony says. “I almost didn’t show today, because of that, so this is for her. She was one of the best and sweetest horses. They called her my princess, because I treated her like a little princess. This was for her.”

Anthony purchased “Sully” last September. He’s by Solar and out of an I Gotta Cool Secret mare. “Bay is my favorite color, and I just love a pretty horse. He’s got a great topline. That’s really what’s most important to me, that they’re pretty and have a good topline. He has a future ahead of him.”

Also here at the show, Anthony’s weanling filly, Elliana, placed fifth in the amateur class. The Reserve Champion in Amateur Yearling Geldings was Beverly Koke with Elusive Pick. Third was Mariah Gipson with Illicit Intention. This was also the Elite Halter Futurity Champion. Fourth was Gigi Davis with Ikonic Kowboi. Fifth was Dillon Groff with JCG Grid Iron.

The winner of Amateur Weanling Geldings was Sarah Headley with Heza Divine Agent. The Reserve Champion was Elizabeth Beauchamp with The Gronkowski. Third was Carol Fehr with Ikons Beauty.

Josh Weakly led Lu Scion to win Amateur 2-Year-Old Geldings. The Reserve Champion was Elizabeth Beauchamp with Mr MVP. This was also the Limited Champion. Third was Kristin Cole with Guns and Leather. Fourth was Sharon Fisk with Total Intention. Fifth was Warren English with Maui Jym.

Christine West led Mister Over Easy to win Amateur 3-Year-Old Geldings. The Reserve Champion was Tammy Bradshaw with Payzone. Third was Shannon Freeman with Zydaco. Fourth was Darrell Ireland with Exceptional Bachelor. Fifth was Natasha Koebcke with Hez On Top.

Coming into today’s class, Mister Over Easy had already been named the Youth Champion with Christine’s daughter, Elizabeth, and the Open Champion with trainer, Tom Robertson, so all the pressure was on momma to bring home the final title for a clean sweep.

“I didn’t want to let them down,” she says. “They kind of set the bar high!”

Christine has owned horses for her whole life, but she just recently started showing Halter horses in April. “I’ve showed a lot of cattle too, and I showed Cutting horses for a while. Then, my daughters started showing, and I was the groom. They got a little older and, when we got the Halter horses, I started this April. It’s been fun.”

“The biggest difference between showing horses and cattle is that you use a stick to set up cows, and you hold their heads up high, whereas, with horses, you have tension on the chain. But, there are similarities. You want them to stand still, and it’s another big animal to control. It’s all based on conformation.”

The Amateur Performance Halter Geldings Champion was Angela Czerwinski with Simply One Hot. The Reserve Champion was Dana Moore with Casinos Cool Delight. Third was Angela Fox with HP The Rusty Fox. Fourth was Julie Jolstad with Betta Believe It. Fifth was Kristin Smith with To Sleepy To Flash.

Josh Weakly was in the winner’s circle once again with It’s Gameday in Amateur Aged Geldings. The Reserve Champion was Douglas Ronk with Ima Cool Catch. Third was Darrell Ireland with SS Rampage. Fourth was Bonnie Overbeck with Vincenzo Zini. Fifth was Amy Jo Erhardt with DMM Secret Sinsation.

We chatted with Josh following his double wins, because he found himself in a lucky predicament, the same as last year in fact. Last year, Josh’s wife, Kaleena, showed It’s Gameday in Grand and Reserve, and Josh showed his other gelding, Legacee. However, It’s Gameday was named the Grand Champion and Legacee missed out on Reserve. “It kind of backfired a bit, but it happens,” Josh admits.

This year, Josh went ahead with the same plan, having Kaleena show It’s Gameday and himself showing Lu Scion, aka “Pickles.” In the end, Josh won both the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion titles- Grand with Lu Scion and Reserve with It’s Gameday.

“We bought It’s Gameday in the spring of last year. He’s by Mr Touchdown Kid. Lu Scion is a bit different. We really like this one. He’s off the beaten path with the way he’s bred [CR Golden Nugget], and he hasn’t been shown that much. We really like the way he’s made. He’s pretty scopey. He’s very mature and pretty faced. He has a lot to him. He has good size and good legs. There’s really not a whole lot you can find wrong with him.”