Dick Donnelly/Hez Outa The Box, Josh Weakly/Its Gameday, Joy Stehney/PF Supreme Surprise Are Afternoon Halter AQHA World Champions

By: Brittany Bevis

This afternoon saw a number of World Champions crowned in Halter classes here at the 2017 AQHA World Show. First up, Dick Donnelly led Hez Outa The Box to win Amateur Aged Stallions. This was a special win for Dick, because “Jack” is a home-bred, home-raised stallion.

“We talked about who we wanted to breed his momma to, and we decided on Sirprizerized, and it certainly worked,” Dick says. “He’s a great individual, kind of a latecomer, but he certainly came on like we expected.” Dick also let us know that he raised Jack’s dam, Lookin At A Lady, and also owned her sire, Kid Look.

Earlier this year, Dick’s wife, Debby, showed Jack to win at the Select World Show. Then, they elected to give Jack an easy fall schedule in order to have him be better prepared to compete here in Oklahoma City. “All we did was show him a couple of times to get qualified. We don’t like to push them. It’s better they stay relaxed in their nice environment, where they don’t get sick or hurt. We qualified him and were fortunate enough to send him to Ross Roark to get the final touches put on him for these big shows. He and his man, Easy, did a tremendous job.”

Coming up later in the week, Ross will show Jack in the open division. “We’re hoping to come up with a trio of gold ponies; that’s our goal!”

Jack doesn’t have any foals on the ground yet, but Dick is excited to stand him at stud in 2018. The Reserve Champion in the class was Breda Dean-Kennedy with Inspirado. Third was Barbara Hoffer with Aren’t I Pretty.

Next, Josh Weakly won his first World Championship title with It’s Gameday in Amateur Aged Geldings. Just a few weeks ago, Josh showed the horse to win at the Congress, which was his first time as well. “Frank Berris showed him a lot at the Congress and World Shows, but I just bought him in May, so this is my first year showing him,” Josh says. “I’ve showed against him when he was a two and three-year-old, but this is the first time I’ve showed him.”

Josh was excited to be the unanimous choice of the judges, a trend that has been taking place throughout many of today’s classes. But what he was most happy to see is AQHA’s decision to bring back the individual placing call-outs to Halter classes this year.

“They’re not rejudging them under 15 entries, but at least they’re placing them and letting the judges stand out there, like they do at the Congress. I think that’s great. I give AQHA kudos for that. I think it’s nice. There are times, and I’ve been there, when I’ve ended up fifth or sixth overall, but I had a couple of high placings. I think it’s gratifying to get that recognition. I think the way they’re doing it, in my opinion, is ideal. I’m glad to see it.”

The Reserve Champion in the class was Douglas Ronk with Ima Cool Catch. Third was Jeffrey Fisher with Corporate Secret. Fourth was Suzannah Fuhrman with PF Chrome Rimz. Fifth was Lawrence Lemke with Gamechanger.

Finally, Joy Stehney won her first World Championship with PF Supreme Surprise in Amateur Aged Mares. Just a few months ago, Joy’s sister, Pam Taylor, showed “Diva” to win at the Select World. According to Joy, she’s the only person in the family who hasn’t won with this mare. Today was her last chance, because the mare has been sold to Terry Bradshaw.

“Terry will take possession of her after the open class,” Joy says. “That was the reason why it’s so emotional; it was my one and only chance to do it. I was such a bundle of nerves, and I really wanted to do well.”

Although Diva will be leaving the family at the conclusion of the World Show, Joy is excited to have three of her foals coming in 2018: two by Mister Elusive and one by Heza Secret Agent.

“We owned her a couple of years ago and sold her to Josh Weakly. He showed her for a couple of years and did really well with her. Then, we had the opportunity to buy her back. She’s so special, and we wanted to get some babies out of her.”

In fact, one of Diva’s babies will be shown here at the World Show, Telediva, with Terry Bradshaw in Amateur Weanling Colts coming up this week.

The Reserve Champion was Sarah Headley with Alluring Intention. Third was Shirley McCary with Equities. Fourth was Suzonne Franks with Lookin For Romance. Fifth was Mariah Gibson with Pass Da Pepper.