Evening Champions at APHA World Include Simons, Smith, Hachtel, King, and More

By: Brittany Bevis

This evening’s festivities kicked off at the APHA World Show with Junior Western Pleasure. RJ King was in the saddle of Shes A Flatliner to win the class and yet another World Championship title for owner, Marylyn Caliendo, here at the show. We just spoke with Marylyn yesterday to find out more about her mare, “Tatsu.” Click here to read.

The Reserve Champion was Scott Weiss with Elicious. Third was Kenny Lakins with Born Sophisticated. Fourth was Mike Hachtel with This Scene Is Taken. Fifth was Jeffrey Gibbs with Flat Sophisticated.

In Performance Halter Mares, Jason Smith led I M All About That to a win for Anita Weiscamp. Reserve was Tim Finkenbinder with Scottish Lassie. Third was JT Mitchell with CR Love Like Crazy. Fourth was Julie Schmidt with Sleepless To Night. Fifth was Ted Turner with Because She’s Worth It.

Andrea Simons led Hez Blazin Trouble to win Performance Halter Geldings for new owner Bonnie Sheren. After a bit of an absence from the show pen in recent years, Andrea was excited to be back in the midst of a great group of competitive horses and handlers this evening.

“I showed a few years ago in some of the limited division classes, and I will show an occasional longe line horse, but I showed this horse tonight because Jason Martin was insistent,” Andrea says. Bonnie Sheren is the proud new owner of this gelding, and he will head to his new home at HighPoint Performance Horses following the AQHA World Show this year. Although he’s leaving the Simons Show Horses family, Andrea has high hopes for his future.

“I’m really proud, because he’s a performance horse. He was the World Champion this morning in Junior Trail. He’s a true performance horse and what it’s supposed to be. I just love him over his back. He’s so good-hocked, good-legged, and big and beautiful. And he’s so good bred. He’s an RL Best of Sudden, and they’re just beautiful horses.”

“I think he’s a once in a lifetime animal and, as many great horses as HighPoint has had, I think he will be right up there with the best of them.”

So how was it being back out in the show pen again? “It was nerve-racking! I don’t miss that part. I was out there with all these guys who do it for a living, and that’s pretty daunting.”

Reserve was Tim Finkenbinder with Hes So Phenomenal. Third was Jason Smith with Mind Keeper. Fourth was Fred Tabor with VF Royal Moment. Fifth was TW Grose with Real Hot Jazz.

Jason Smith led Bank On The Best to win Performance Halter Stallions. Reserve was Jerm Christensen with One And Only Asset. Third was Colleen Riedle with VS Total Heartthrob. Fourth was Dona Woods with Sodak Darlin Kahoku. Fifth was Bear Smith with A Stride Above.

Finally, Mike Hachtel rode Scene It Eye To Eye to win 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure. “Luke” is by A Scenic Impulse and out of Certainly Flirtin. Megan East-Hogan showed the home-bred gelding to win 3-Year-Old Non Pro Western Pleasure just the other day. However, when she watches her trainer show, she gets even more nervous than when she competes herself.

“I definitely get more nervous watching,” she says. “But, he was great tonight. He was quiet, soft, and floaty. He looked the same every time I looked at him.”

Coming up next, Luke will head to the Quarter Horse Congress to be shown in the open and non pro futurities that allow Paint Horses to compete. Megan did show her APHA Hunt Seat horse a few years back at the Congress, but this will be her first time showing a Western Pleasure horse at the event. Although she’s a bit nervous, she hopes Luke’s easygoing mindset and calm nature will help to ease her nerves.

Reserve was Sara Simons with Zensational. Third was Ashley Rastall with Bikinis Only. Fourth was Mark Baus with Refleet. Fifth was Brad Ost with Al Of A Sudden.