Anthony Montes Wins First World Title With Absolute Best Asset in Senior Western Riding L2

By: Brittany Bevis

Anthony Montes achieved a milestone this afternoon at the 2017 AQHA World Show when he rode Absolute Best Asset to win Senior Western Riding L2, his first title earned at the World Show. Montes was in the saddle of the bay, 8-year-old gelding named “Axle” for owner, Taylor Brown.

“It feels good, especially for these people; because, Taylor and I showed in youth together, so it’s pretty special,” he says. Anthony had two horses to show in this class, so he had to divide up his time and rely on help from his other half, Bruce Vickery.

“I had one horse to ride before Axle, so it really only left me three horses in between to switch. But, I rode him, and he felt right, so I left him alone. Bruce got on and trotted him around for me. When I got on him, I knew he was ready to go and show. We walked down there, his back went up, and he said, ‘Let’s go!” So I just went for it.”

Coming up next, Anthony will show Axle in the Senior Western Riding L3 finals next week. But, right now, this trio has to run, because Taylor and Axle have to show in the Amateur Showmanship preliminaries. Then, she has the Amateur Trail, Performance Halter Geldings, Horsemanship, and Western Riding.

Anthony’s favorite class is Western Riding, because of the unique challenges it presents. “I love Western Riding, because it’s very technical, and there is a lot of timing involved. Timing is everything. It’s a hard event, so when you can achieve it, it feels good. There is a lot to it. In my opinion, I think it’s one of the hardest events to do.”

“I never pattern a horse until I can get them to come across and change every single time. They tell me when they’re ready. I never do a pattern until they can get every change, every time; because, until you can get every change, every time, what’s the point of doing the pattern?”

The Reserve Champion was Tyler Schultz with Always Clowninaround. Third was Shannon Gillespie with First N Line. Fourth was Carli Pitts with A Good Cookie. Fifth was Clint Ainsworth with Hotroddin Ona Harley.