Hillary Roberts and Whatscookngoodlookin Win Western Pleasure at 2013 AQHYA World Show

Judges Kim Myers, Jennifer Lynn Thompson, Matt Howell, Scott Neuman, and Steve Ferguson were charged with the tough task of determining the winner in a very competitive Youth Western Pleasure finals this morning at the 2013 AQHYA World Show. In the end, Hillary Roberts rode Whatscookngoodlookin, a bay mare by A Good Machine and out of A Cooki For Certain, to win the World Championship title and golden globe.

Coming in Reserve in the class was Hannah Wiese and Sheza Home Wrecker, a sorrel mare by Hot Impulse and out of Rosies Bonanza. Wiese was also the first place 13 and under rider and first place Intermediate rider in the class. Rounding out the top three was Deanna Green aboard Blazinmytroublesaway, a palomino mare by Blazing Hot and out of Really In Trouble.

Roberts and her talented bay mare bested 97 other entries to win the World Championship today in what turned out to be an outstanding Youth Western Pleasure finals.

“It’s pretty surreal right now,” she says. “It hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s what I’ve always dreamt of. I’ve been riding since I was little, tiny.”

“My mom used to ride barrels and poles when she was younger. When my mom started showing pleasure horses with Rusty [Green], I started riding her mare a little bit. I also have an all-around horse and a reiner, so I’ve got a lot going on right now, but I love it.”

Earlier in the show, Roberts was named a finalist in Horsemanship and Trail aboard her other mount, Chrome On My Zipper. She has been pleased with her rides thus far, but this win in what she considers to be her most challenging class puts the icing on the cake.

“I love western pleasure,” she says. “It’s challenging, probably more challenging than the other [events] I do. You’ve got a lot to think about. In horsemanship, you’re too busy to be thinking. But in [pleasure] you’re sitting there and you’ve got so much to be thinking about, like your horses legs, how you look, where other people are in the pen, and how to best show off your horse. It’s a lot more challenging, I think.”

Caption: Roberts and trainer, Rusty Green, exit the arena as Western Pleasure World Champions.

Next up on the agenda for Roberts and Whatscookngoodlookin is the Reichert Celebration later this month in Fort Worth, Texas. She plans to attend Texas Christian University in the fall, but will be returning to the Youth World in 2014 for her final year in the youth division.

Western Pleasure:

1-Whatscookngoodlookin/Hillary Roberts

2-Sheza Home Wrecker/Hannah Wiese- First place Intermediate and First place 13 and Under

3-Blazinmytroublesaway/Deanna Green

4-Dark Jasmine/Brianna Tamulewicz

5-As Shes Walkin Away/Megan McMullen