#BestBuckeyeEver is Underway and Crowning Big Money Champions
Jennifer Paul and My Only Good Shoes- Green Trail Champions
By: Brittany Bevis
The Little Buckeye kicked off the first weekend of competition in Wilmington, Ohio, July 13-15, in spectacular style with huge class numbers that were, quite frankly, expected considering the popularity of the event in recent years and the fact that all AQHA youth entries are FREE!
Check out some of the impressive class sizes:
- Amateur Horsemanship- 25
- L2 Senior Trail- 27
- L1 Youth Horsemanship- 30
- 14-18 Equitation- 31
- L1 Youth Showmanship- 33
- L1 Trail- 39
- 14-18 Horsemanship- 40
The Buckeye Classic began yesterday and will continue through July 22nd. Judges are Nancy Alto Renfro, Rick Baker, Chad Evans, Dolly Chayer, Robin Frid, Holly Hover, Mary Luther, Jennifer Thompson, and Sara Simons.
All photos courtesy of Buckeye Classic participants via #BestBuckeyeEver
A special event that took place yesterday was the first-ever NCEA Jr. Medal Horsemanship Class and YEDA Challenge. All youth were eligible to participate in the Horsemanship Challenge, unless they had been signed or are currently participating on a NCEA team. The $40 entry fee included class entry and NCEA Jr membership, as well as a special clinic that took place on Monday where Brent Tincher explained the Horsemanship pattern to all competitors. Riders competed on their own horses or drew from YEDA-provided horses.
Rookie Champion Abby Wirick and Reserve Champion Matthew Siefker
In all, 32 riders competed in the inaugural challenge including: Jessica Copeland, Hannah Copley, Kaitlin Dierks, Matthew Siefker, Peyton Derr, Ellexxah Maxwell, Alexa Black, Rose Dean, Macee Roberts, Alexis Cook, Teryn Ferrell, Lauren Bishop, Aria Morgan, Brianna Merklin, Christen Robers, Isabella Himes, Clara Nemeth, Marley Mainwaring, Kylee Simpson, Abby Query, Kyra Butts, Rita Rouch, Madison Burlett, Abby Wirick, Millie Landon, Mason Dorsey, Bailey Van Driest, Caroline McEntee, Kendall McClintock, Paige Benson, Dane Creps, and Cora Wyers.
The top eight riders competed in head-to-head elimination brackets. When the dusts settled, scholarships were awarded to the overall winner and the rookie winner. The Open Division Champion was Brianna Merklin winning $800. Reserve was Cora Wyers winning $300. In the Rookie Division, Abby Wirick won $800 and Matthew Siefker was Reserve winning $300.
NSBA classes at The Buckeye Classic began yesterday, and there are a number of champions to congratulate. Ashley Lakins rode RR Magical Moonlite to win $291 for Dennis and Debbie Martin in Maturity Open Western Pleasure. Mandy Gately rode Keeping it Good to win $256.77 for Suzanne Mayo in Maturity Limited Open Western Pleasure. Sunni Duke and Shesa Hot Selection were the winner of $401.87 in the Maturity Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle. This team also won the Limited division of the class and an additional $267.92.
Brian Baker and No Doubting Me won $305.14 for Sue Sancken in 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure. Lauren Louw rode Best Az yet to win $508.57 for Annette Snowden in the limited division of the class. Kylee Wiseman rode RR Magical Moonlite to win $323.76 in Maturity Non Pro Western Pleasure. This team also won the limited division of the class and an additional $215.84.
Nicole Giumenti rode Maybe The One to win $332.82 to win the 3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle. This team also won the limited division and $221.88. Dawn Baker rode Mito Been me to win $415.84 in Maturity Open Hunter Under Saddle. Jamie English and Shesa Hot Selection won $277.22 in the limited division of the class.
Melissa Wilkes and Bettin The Goods won $332.82 in 3-Year-Old Non Pro Western Pleasure. Faith Small and The Best Ryde won $295.84 in the limited division of the class.
Julian Harris and Thank God Its Friday won $415.84 in 2-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle. This team also won the limited division. Michele McLaughlin and Maybe The One took home $305.14 in 3-Year-Old Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle. This team also was the limited champion and won $203.43.
Brian Baker and Truth And Alibi won $646.53 in 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure. Ryan Strunk and One Hott Man won $431.02 in the limited division of the class. Jennifer Paul and My Only Good Shoes won $485.02 and Green Trail.
Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com for more results and fun photos, coming from Ruehle Photographix, from the Donkey races tonight!
Click on the links below for results from the show.
