APHA Youth World Novice Western Pleasure Champions are Alice Standefer and Avery Mortman

By: Brittany Bevis

Today is Western Pleasure day at the 2018 APHA Youth World Championship Show and two World Champions have already been crowned.

First, 17-year-old Alice Mae Standefer rode Sirtainly No Doubt to win her first APHA Youth World Championship in her first appearance at a Youth World Show. Alice has been showing Paint Horses for just two years, but she’s shown horses since she was six. Today, her partner was a fancy, six-year-old mare named “Loretta.” This team currently competes under the guidance of Jesse Shaw. They came all the way to Texas from Washington.

“It’s awesome to be a World Champion! I wasn’t really expecting it, but my trainer said I really had a shot at it, so he said let’s do it! I love Loretta’s front leg in her lope. That’s probably my favorite thing about her, especially her right lead. I think that’s really what made her win today.”

Earlier in the show, this team place third in Performance Halter Mares and were finalists in Horsemanship. Later on today, they will compete in 18 and Under Western Pleasure.

 

Alice would like to thank her parents and Loretta’s owner, Chris Spiewak, who let her lease Loretta this year.

The Reserve Champion was Makayla McPherson with Spent The Night. Third was Kylin Korb with Indy Machine. Fourth was Ella Storch with Vegas Made Me Do It. Fifth was Taylor Daniel with She’s A Hot Lilli.

Next, Avery Mortman rode Hes Just A Touch More to win Novice Youth 13 and Under Western Pleasure. The Reserve Champion was Meadow Schwandt with Pick Your Pleasure. Third was Lauren Hall with Alotta Vested Pine. Fourth was Kaylynn Heitman with Hunting Blue Skies. Fifth was Ady Kallay with Gotta Be Sensational.

We had the opportunity to chat with Avery earlier in the show when she won 13 and Under Hunter Under Saddle, which was her first APHA Youth World title. Click here to read our interview with Avery about her horse, “Gummy.”