Kassandra Jones and Chasinthesensation Win 14-18 AjPHA Showmanship
14-18 Showmanship World Champion- Kassandra Jones and Chasinthesensation
By: Brittany Bevis
The final showmanship class of the 2015 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show is in the books, and a returning World Champion claimed her rightful place at the top of the pack once again. Kassandra Jones and Chasinthesensation were named the World Champions in a 60-entry 14-18 Showmanship class this evening. Coming in Reserve was Mallory Vroegh with Some Sweet Machine; this team was also the Intermediate winner and the NSBA winner. Rounding out the top three was Marguerite Camp with Radicalized.
When approaching both the preliminary and finals patterns, Jones relied on the guidance of her trainer, Carly Veldman Parks, for insight and instruction. Earlier in the day, two of Parks’ other clients, Lauren Gralla (13 and Under) and Veronica John (Novice Youth 14-18) were named World Champions in their respective showmanship classes.
“I thought the preliminaries had a very long pattern, but I knew my horse and I could conquer it,” Jones says. “The major thing, for Carly, was for us to keep control around the trot serpentine, because she knew that was going to be the most challenging part of the pattern.”
“With my horse, I knew the extended trot up to the judge, in the finals pattern, and the back were great maneuvers for her. She’s always been a fast backer since she was young. I felt very confident in my run, but you never know what can happen.”
Reserve World Chamion- Mallory Vroegh and Some Sweet Machine
Jones and “Slick” are no strangers to the winners’ circle. Two years ago, they were named the World Champions in 14-18 Showmanship for the first time. Last year, they were the Reserve World Champions in 14-18 Equitation.
“I’ve had Slick since she was born,” she says. “We bought her mom when she was in foal. We’ve been with Carly since 2012, when they were Reserve in Junior Trail together.”
Coming up later in the show, Jones and Slick will compete in Trail and Horsemanship. Yesterday, they placed 6th in Equitation.
“My favorite classes are Showmanship and Trail for sure,” she says. “I’ve always had a horse that excelled at it, and my horse and I really click in Showmanship.”
14-18 Showmanship:
1- Chasinthesensation/Kassandra Jones
2- Some Sweet Machine/Mallory Vroegh (Intermediate winner)
3- Radicalized/Marguerite Camp
4- RL Talk About Sudden/Taylor Burgess
5- Red Solo Cup/Madison Ketchum
6- Ima Special Delivery/Emma-Lee Schellenberg
7- The Only Kiss To Envy/Anne-Marie Fortenberry
8-I’m Axle Rose/Abbey Love
9- I’m Original/Haylee Schoonover
10-Tramps Invitation/Kelsey Kafesjian
