Payday For “Moola” in Breeders Trust 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure at APHA World
PHJ release by: Jessica Hein
Just like the inspiration for his nickname, Moola—a 2014 chestnut overo stallion better known at home as “Floyd Money Mayweather”—delivered a 1-2 punch in the 2020 Breeders’ Trust 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure Stakes, proving he had the total package en route to capturing the class championship and a check worth $8,032 with Katy Jo Zuidema of Micanopy, Florida.
“I think he checks all the boxes for a pleasure horse: steady in his neck, does all the gears, has a pleasant expression,” Katy Jo said. “He’s just a really nice horse.”
Moola is the first Paint for owner Meghan Tierney of Hutto, Texas, making 2020 her first APHA World Championship Show, too. Winning the Breeders’ Trust 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure Stakes was a cherry on top of a great event, where she also was third in the Non-Pro 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure Sweepstakes with the colt. Moola, who is by No Doubt Im Lazy (QH) and out of Did It For A Cookie (QH), always been naturally talented, she says.
“I was at Amy [Gumz’s] a day or two after he was born, and he came out of the womb jogging. He looked like this, just mini. He was always beautiful, sweet and kind. It’s pretty impressive for a 2-year-old stud,” Meghan said. “I’m really excited about him. He just gets better and better.”
Though Katy Jo has won the Breeders’ Trust 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes previously, this was her first time to show on the Western side of the stakes class, making the win that much more special. She estimates she’s won close to $30,000 through the program over the years.
“I think it’s a great program, and it’s lasted,” Katy Jo said. “What I like most about it is the pay scale. The winner always leaves the pen happy, so it makes the deeper-placing horses’ connections happy, too.”
Erin McCullough-Jeter & Sensational Code Red
The Limited Division winner was Erin McCullough-Jeter, riding Sensational Code Red, a 2018 sorrel overo gelding by VS Code Red (QH) and out of Ima Sweet Sensation; the gelding is owned by Jason Budick of Dallas, Texas, and was bred by Katherine Demeyer-Callaway of Shingle Springs, California. Erin took home $6,693 for the limited division win.
The 2020 Breeders’ Trust 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure Stakes paid $26,775 in total purses. To be eligible for the elite class, a horse—Regular Registry or Solid Paint-Bred—must be enrolled in the Breeders’ Trust program and be nominated to the class in advance of the show. Starting in 2021, the Breeders’ Trust Pleasure Stakes will be a 3-year-old maiden class for nominated horses (click to read more). For full class results, visit apha.com/worldshow/results.
