Congress Amateur Mares Champions Include Dyer, Headley, English, Bradshaw, Alderson, and More

By: Brittany Bevis

Today’s Amateur Mares Halter classes have just concluded in the Coliseum, and there are a number of Congress Champions to congratulate.

First, Nancy Dyer led Secret Entention to win Amateur Weanling Mares, the limited division of the class, the Elite Halter Futurity portion of the class, and the trailer giveaway! Just last week, she led “Princess” to win the Open Limited division of the class and Elite Halter Futurity. The pretty filly is by Dyer’s stallion, Ententions, and out of an I Gotta Cool Secret mare.

“She’s incredibly correct, just like he is,” Nancy says. “She’s good-backed and good-necked. She’s everything we want to see in a baby filly. She was born fairly early, so she’s matured, and that really helps when coming to the big shows.”

Although Nancy wasn’t too pleased with her draw for the class, she’s beginning to think it might be a bit of backwards good luck. “I’ve got bad luck when it comes to the draw, but maybe it’s turning into good luck! I’ve drawn the last spot every time. I was last in Open and Amateur and the last horse in at the WCHA Futurity in Fort Worth. When a baby comes in last, they keep their ears pinned back, because they’re scared of what’s behind them. She wouldn’t use her ears last week, and I tried all my tricks. This week, I broke out my jingly bracelet, and she liked it, so we’ve maybe found the one thing she actually likes.”

The Reserve Champion was Rumerz R Flyin Babe. Third was Roy Houser with Glorie. Fourth was Steve Jensen with Girls Love Sparkles. Fifth was Anthony Bladen with Elliana.

Thomas Coon led Enspiring to win Amateur Yearling Mares. The Reserve Champion was Christine West with Apleezing. Third was Amanda Wallinger-Rowan with Dimplez. Fourth was Gigi Davis with TNR Dee Lish. Fifth was Warren English with Caught Ya Lookn.

Just a few weeks ago, Thomas led his pretty filly to win at the WCHA Futurity and Big Money Futurity at the APHA World Show. She’s by Mr Elusive and out of Top Down Mazeratti.

“We were fourth in the Open, so to win it today was icing on the cake,” he says. “She’s a really good yearling mare with a lot of come left to her. She’s going to be a big mare when she’s aged. She’s good-legged, beautiful, and really strong across her top and croup.”

Thomas and his wife, Mimsi, have had good luck with Mr Elusive bred mares. Their other mare, Entrigue, is by the same sire and was named the Grand Champion Mare last year with Ted Turner at the lead. “That’s what drew me to her is the color, and they look a lot alike.”

The lovely Mrs. Tammy Bradshaw led Inexces to win Amateur 2-Year-Old Mares during her first trip to the Quarter Horse Congress. “It’s a little different atmosphere than the World Show, but it’s a fun atmosphere. I’m enjoying it.”

Terry and Tammy Bradshaw purchased “Barbie” about a year ago, and Terry has been busily campaigning her this year to qualify for the AQHA World Show. Today is the first time that Tammy has had the opportunity to show her. “Terry couldn’t come to the Congress, so he said I should show her. It can’t get any better than this!”

Tammy says she always loved Barbie since she first saw her at Ted Turner’s place as a young foal. “Since she was first born, I always told Terry I loved her. She always stuck in my mind. I didn’t even know Terry bought her at first.  He came home and said that he bought a new horse from Ted, but he didn’t remember her name. It was probably three weeks later when I found out it was her.”

Tammy admits to being a bit of a newcomer to the Halter circuit, so she relied on the guidance of her trainer, Ted Turner, for advice when competing at her first Congress. “He said to buy a white hat!” Tammy laughs. “I always wear a black hat. It was an internal struggle, but I finally conceded.”

“Obviously, he has this mare trained so well, which always makes it easier. He just told me to take my time; because, being nervous, I sometimes get in a hurry. Also, I’m learning to use my chain more. I haven’t been doing this that long, and, as a beginner, every time you show, you learn something new.”

The Reserve Champion was JL Robinson with Blue Ribbon N Lace. Third was Arnold Holliday with Er A Secret Fox. Third was Frank Berris with Walkaroundher. Fifth was Shannon Freeman with Cool E.

Corrine English led Baby I’m Worth It to win Amateur 3-Year-Old Mares. The Reserve Champion was Steve Jensen with She’s Such Diva. Third was James Hinckley with Lady Phoenix. Fourth was Anastasia Kull with KR Shes Xceptional/Anastasia Kull. Fifth was Sarah Rice with Remember To Zip Up.

Sara Headley was at the lead of Alluring Intention to win Amateur Aged Mares. The Reserve Champion was Karry Voss with Shangri La. Third was Ina Ginsberg with Cant Touch Her Guns. Fourth was Elizabeth Beauchamp with Equities. Fifth was Amy Jo Erhardt with Be A Diva.

Andrea Alderson led Most Appealing Dream to win Amateur Performance Halter Mares. The Reserve Champion was Karen Martin with A VooDoo Doll. Third was Gavin Patterson with Onlythebestchocolate. Fourth was Doreen Select with She Knows Howtoparty. Fifth was Joe Whitt with Rumors Only.

Finally, Sarah Headley led Alluring Intention to be named the Amateur Grand Champion Mare. The Reserve Grand Champion Mare was Corrine English with Baby She’s Worth It.

Click here to watch Sarah Headley’s video interview as she talks about Alluring Intention.