APHA Announces 2013 Year-End Top Amateurs
PHJ press release by: Laura Jesberg
APHA recently announced its year-end Amateur division award winners for the 2013 show season. Five equestriennes finished the year at the top of their respective divisions.
Courtney Hamilton. Image courtesy of press release.
Amateur Rookie of the Year
Courtney Hamilton of Canton, Pennsylvania, was named 2013 APHA Amateur Rookie of the Year aboard Invest In Mr Goodbar, her 2006 sorrel overo gelding. In their first year of APHA competition, the duo earned 251.5 qualifying points.
To win this title, exhibitors may not have won any equine association points, including APHA Youth points, and must be a first-time APHA Amateur cardholder. The award is calculated on the total points earned on a one-horse/one-rider basis in Amateur, Novice Amateur and Amateur Walk-Trot classes.
In 2013, Courtney and “Joey” earned Registers of Merits in Novice Amateur hunter under saddle, showmanship and hunt-seat equitation, along with Superiors in hunter under saddle and showmanship.They also finished eighth on the Novice Amateur Top 20 list and in the Top Five of several Novice Amateur Honor Rolls.
Bred by Carole Watkins of Carrollton, Ohio, Joey is by Good To The Max and out of Loaded Windchester (QH).
Tammy Azevedo. Image courtesy of press release
Novice Amateur No. 1
Tammy Azevedo of Grayson, Georgia, won the 2013 No. 1 APHA Novice Amateur title. Tammy and her 11-year-old chestnut tobiano mare, Deluxe Colors, finished the year with 243 qualifying points in a wide variety of classes.
To win this title, which is open to eligible Novice Amateurs age 19 and older, an exhibitor must earn the most points with one horse in Novice Amateur performance classes. The award is based on total points accumulated on a one-horse/one Novice Amateur rider basis per calendar year.
Tammy made her debut in the show ring in 2012 with Deluxe Colors, taking things slowly and focusing on Western pleasure and showmanship. Once they set their eye on the No. 1 spot for 2013, the pair worked hard to add more events with the help of Tammy’s trainer, Carly Veldman Parks.
In 2013, the pair earned several Registers of Merit and Superior Events titles.
The year’s hard work has given Tammy plenty of unforgettable mother-daughter time with her daughter, Kayleigh, and she has enjoyed the support of the rest of her family, too. It’s no surprise, then, that her favorite memory of the year was hearing the cheers after winning a World Show championship in Parents Western Pleasure at the 2013 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show.
Deluxe Colors is by Consider His Source (QH) and out of Scotchtapes Suny Lady. Bobby Steele of Calhoun City, Mississippi, bred the mare.
Desarae Gilley. Image courtesy of press release.
Classic Amateur No. 1
Desarae Gilley of Dallas, Texas, won the 2013 No. 1 APHA Classic Amateur title. Desarea and her 10-year-old chestnut overo gelding, A Sudden Legacy, finished the year with 439.5 qualifying points in a wide variety of classes.
To win this title, which is open to Amateurs age 19-44, an exhibitor must earn the most points with one horse in Classic Amateur halter and performance classes. The award is based on total points accumulated on a one-horse/one-rider basis per calendar year.
Since purchasing the gelding in 2008, Desarae and her gelding have earned an impressive array of honors.The duo have amassed a total of 15 ROMs, five Superiors, several Versatility awards and a Youth Champion award. On their way to the 2013 title, the pair won five Amateur Honor Roll events, and took home three Top Five placings, two Intermediate Champion titles and a pair of reserve intermediate championships at the APHA World Championship Show. Wade and Carly Parks of Colbert, Georgia train the duo.
A Sudden Legacy is by A Sudden Impulse (AQHA) and out of Zippos Satin N Lace; he was bred by Paul Moore of Covington, Indiana.
Coleen Bull. Image courtesy of press release.
Masters Amateur No. 1
Coleen Bull of Reed City, Michigan, won the 2013 No. 1 APHA Masters Amateur title for the third year in a row. Coleen and her 9-year-old bay overo gelding, Timeless Assets, finished the year with 490 qualifying points in a variety of classes.
To win this title, which is open to Amateurs age 45 and over, an exhibitor must earn the most points with one horse in Masters Amateur halter and performance classes. The award is based on total points accumulated on a one-horse/one-rider basis per calendar year.
Coleen and “Tucson” also won their third consecutive All-Around Masters Amateur title at the 2013 APHA World Championship Show. That was in addition to three world champion titles, including her fourth consecutive championship in Masters Amateur Showmanship. In 2013, Coleen also branched out and tried something completely new: reining.
With Coleen, Timeless Assets has earned seven Amateur Superiors, 11 world championships and four reserve world championships. The gelding is by Frozen Assets and out of This Times Divine. Charlene Lee Maybury of West Jefferson, Ohio, bred the gelding. Coleen and Tucson train with Garth and Sonnesa Gooding of Fennville, Michigan.
Mikey Trueba. Image courtesy of press release
Amateur Solid-Paint Bred No. 1
On Solid Ground, a 5-year-old red dun solid Paint-bred mare owned and shown by Mikey Trueba of Williams, Arizona, finished at the top of the Amateur Solid Paint-Bred category. The pair finished the year with 122.5 qualifying points.
Attending shows in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, the duo earned an APHA Amateur Versatility title, a Superior in showmanship, six ROMs and three APHA world championships.
On Solid Ground is by The Whole Shabang and out of Artistic Brilliance. Barbara Trueba of Williams, Arizona, bred the mare, and Mikey’s done the training herself.
