Blake Weis/Cool Cruzen Lady Win Junior Western Riding, Samantha Roper/What I Know Now Win Amateur Hunter Hack

By: Brittany Bevis

This evening’s finals at the 2017 AQHA World Show kicked off with a bang. First up, Samantha Roper rode What I Know Now to win Amateur Hunter Hack. The Reserve Champion was Morgan Parisek with Better Buy The Minit. Third was Hannah Bedwell with Doyou Have Themagic. Fourth was Kellee Hartman with Hello Darlin. Fifth was Jenny Martin with Dirty Sexy Money.

Placing sixth was Catherine Fike with Suitable Impression. Seventh was Emma Verplank with Ae Hot N Sonny. Eighth was Lindsey Wilt-Perotti with Zip Up My Blumers. Ninth was Lydia Fisher with Wranglers R Hot. Tenth was Lauren Forsythe with Im Naturally Grey.

Next up, Blake Weis rode Cool Cruzen Lady to win Junior Western Riding for owner, Jane Humes. Understandably, Jane was overcome with emotion following her beautiful, bay filly’s win and rushed into the pen to give Blake a big hug.

Making this win extra special is the fact that “Hazel” is only three years old! Earlier this year, she won Junior Western Riding and the BCF Limited 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure at the NSBA World Show. The AQHA World Show is only her fifth horse show this year. Just a few weeks ago, we chatted with Jane and Blake following Hazel’s win in L1 Western Riding at the All American Quarter Horse Congress.

This trio has some history here at the World Show, because Hazel first caught Jane’s eye right here in Oklahoma City, when she competed in 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure. Blake has been dominant in the Junior horse division here at the World Show this year. We spoke with him just last night when he rode The Extreme Machine to win Junior Trail for the third year in a row, this year with The Extreme Machine.

The Reserve Champion in Junior Western Riding was Justin Wheeler with CR Hershey Bar. Third was Brad Ost with Red Label. Fourth was Brad Ost with Ramblin Mann. Fifth was Kristy McCann.