“This is my first time showing at the Congress, so it’s kind of overwhelming.”

“There is no doubt he is one of the best, as far as conformation. Look at the head on him! That’s a key factor. He’s real correct, and, for a stud horse, he’s really easy to handle.”

“Right when you step into the pen, he knows it’s show time, and he has to be super serious. He gave me his all today.”

“She’s fun, but she makes you work for it. The challenge is good, and it makes it a lot sweeter when you do well. She’s so incredibly talented.”

“I’ve had a lot of good mares. I’ve had a lot of good horses. This is my absolute favorite. This is the best mare I’ve ever had.”

First up in Showmanship classes today, 15-year-old Bella Rosa led her 14-year-old gelding, One Dynamic Krymsun, aka “Reach,” to a big win in 12-14 Showmanship.

“Today, most of my family is here: my husband of 34 years who has supported me in all of this, Ricky Young, and my oldest daughter, who has shown horses with me all her life, and her three children.”

Jeffrey Johns showed the girls how to get it done this afternoon, making a surprise appearance in L1 Amateur Horsemanship with the 7-year-old gelding, It’s A Good Pleasure. For Jeff, who is typically a Western Riding and Trail specialist, competing in Horsemanship brings with it some unique challenges. Up until a month ago, he wasn’t even planning on competing in the class.

“I put my hand down, and he did his job. All the preparation was worth it.”

“Now, I know exactly how he’s supposed to stand, how to present him, and where he looks the best. He’s helped me learn Hotrod’s buttons.”