It’s fairly safe to assume that Jo Jo Roberson and Greedy Ghost are the first team to make it back to both the 14-18 Showmanship Finals AND Ranch Riding Finals at the same Youth World Show. That’s an incredible feat in an of itself. Even more, Jo Jo and “Greedy” are relatively new to the Showmanship game, so they were also eligible for the L2 Showmanship class that took place last night. After 161 runs and a class that go over at midnight, Jo Jo and Greedy were named the L2 Showmanship Champions!

“It was really fun, because I had an opportunity to beat myself. One is an older horse. The first horse I rode is 22, and the second horse is 11 years old.”

Rhett was bred by Susan Clune, who was Mackenzie’s former trainer and who passed away a few years ago. Several of Susan’s fellow trainers in the arena thought they could feel her presence as her former student and homebred horse won their first World title as a team.

“She’s so talented and pretty to watch. I just have to sit there and put her in the right spots. She floats over the poles and is super smooth. She’s such a good loper and I think that really helps.”

“I never thought this moment was going to happen,” she says. “I’ve been watching people win World Championships every year I come here and… for me, it was almost like a wish. It happened. Oh my goodness. I can’t believe it happened.”

“Everyone wants to have a big run and make the finals and get a globe. Obviously, I’m looking forward to those things, but there is more to this show than a globe. This show makes you realize how far you’ve come in your youth career. I can’t help but think about the rider I was when I was 10 and compare her to who I am now. That’s something to be proud of. I’m so grateful to be able to play the game I love so much at this level.”

Be ready at cone and only walk into the chute AFTER the judges have given the signal to begin, even though the pattern says to begin in the chute.