Katerina Mendel and Willys On The Green Score World Championship Title in Hunter Under Saddle at 2013 AQHYA World Show

Out of the 115 entries that competed in the Youth Hunter Under Saddle at the 2013 AQHYA World Show Katerina Mendel and Willys On The Green were named the winning team. Mendel’s 5-year-old gelding is by Willy Be Invited and out of Dance The Green. This is the pair’s first World Championship title.

“He was bred by Fritz Leeman,” she says. “We got him as a two-year-old, and we love him to death. It’s funny, we call him ‘Baby Giraffe’ because he is so big. He is hilarious. I love him and his attitude. He’s one of those horses that just goes around, and he tries very hard for me. He’s just an all-around great horse.”

18-year-old Mendel hails from Ann Arbor, Michigan. She began riding horses when she was just six years old and has been with the same horse trainer, Rosie Sheffer, ever since.

“I did have an all-around horse for a little bit,” she says. “I loved her. She was more of a hunt seat all-around [horse], so I got into doing more of the hunt seat.”

“This is my first World title, and it feels amazing. It’s surprising, but then not surprising. It’s just a big overwhelming of so many feelings. I’m so excited.”

The Reserve World Champion in the class was Jenny Bivins with Big League Potential, a bay gelding by Gota Lota Potential and out of Kizzy Nostra. Rounding out the top three was Connor Griggs with Zee Only Escape, a brown gelding by The Only Escape and out of Autum Gaze.

Hunter Under Saddle:

1- Willys On The Green/Katerina Mendel

2-Big League Potential/Jenny Bivins

3-Zee Only Escape/Connor Griggs- First place Intermediate

4-Colossal Asset/Calley Huston

5-Tophat and Tails/Charley Thiel