Had Me At Hello and Arturo Maestas Take Performance Halter Mares Congress Championship

By Sarah Welk Baynum

She Had Me At Hello with Arturo Maestas, owned by Michael Vargo, claimed the Championship title in the Performance Halter Mares at the 2024 All American Quarter Horse Congress.

But She Had Me At Hello isn’t just a phenomenal competitor; she’s also got the perfect personality to match it.

“We’ve had her for two years, and her barn name is Georgie. She Had Me At Hello is amazing in everything she does. She’s great minded, and honestly, one of the best-minded mares we’ve ever had. Georgie is sweet on top of that, and not mare-ish at all,” says Maestas.

Maestas says he’s extremely grateful for the Vargos’s support and letting him compete with such a quality mare.

“They’ve given me the opportunity to show in the open instead of hiring somebody to do it. I’m very grateful to them for letting me do this! I was third at the World Show last year, I won the Limited here at Congress last year, and was a reserve in the Open. To come back and win the Open was my goal, and she did that for me!” says Maestas.

In today’s class, they had a great round despite not showing much this year prior to Congress and being the first draw.

“She’s been settling in pretty good here despite not showing her much this year because her owner was in college, and got a job right out of college. I felt good about drawing first—she went in there and she really showed good!” says Maestas.

While She Had Me At Hello won’t be doing any more Halter classes this year, she will be showing with Maestas’ partner, Jesse Jones, and will show in the western riding in the trail at Congress. Georgie also competes in horsemanship at some shows.

Results for Performance Halter Mares:

Champion: She Had Me At Hello with Arturo Maestas for Michael Vargo -$400

Reserve Champion: FG Ima Smokin Lady with Mitch Leonarski for James Wicker -$350

Bronze Champion: Doubl Or Nothin with Jason Smith for Rick Smith $250

Fourth: Glo InTheDark with Christopher Gray for Melanie Patterson-$150

Fifth: Snap It Send It with Charlie Cole for Bill Baskin & Susan Blackburn – $100

Sixth: Im ExtremelySchmancy with Robin Frid for Katie Jo Jones -$50