Evening Hunter Under Saddle Winners at APHA World Show Include Schexnayder, Dixon, and Bull

By: Brittany Bevis

This evening’s festivities at the APHA World Championship Show kicked off with a tasty pretzel and popcorn buffet courtesy of APHA stallion Invited To The Dance. The Classic Amateur Senior Hunter Under Saddle followed with a close decision for the final placings.

In the end, the World Champion was determined to be Jennifer Schexnayder aboard her 6-year-old, black overo, gelding All Rise. The Reserve Champion was Alison Foster with Alot To Offer. Placing third was Courtney Menke with Super Sonic Scenic. Fourth place was Taylor Kokemiller with All About The Goods. Placing fifth was Andrea Nelson with Mr. Verifiable.

“Spyder” has quite the track record in Hunter Under Saddle classes in both amateur and open divisions here at the APHA World Show. Every year he’s competed, he’s won a World Champion title. This year, he broke into the big leagues with his debut in the amateur senior division. “Now we’re onto senior, so he has to put his big boy pants on!” Jennifer jokes.

Last year, Jennifer and Spyder were named the World Champions in Classic Amateur Junior Hunter Under Saddle, and trainer Shane Christensen won Junior Hunter Under Saddle. Since then, Spyder has added a few more events to his repertoire, including Western Riding and Over Fences. Later on here at the show, he will compete in Green Western Riding, Senior Pleasure Driving and Senior Hunter Under Saddle.

What Jennifer enjoys most about showing Spyder nowadays is that his maturity level has now reached his impressive height. “He is a special creature,” she says. “He wants to be your friend. He doesn’t understand that he’s almost 17 hands, and he’s a horse. He puts on this big front that he’s a macho man, but underneath that he is really sweet.”

“He’s finally maturing, and it’s a lot easier to show him. Everyone [at Prospect Ranch] has done a really good job with him.”

Also, here at the show, Jennifer plans to ride her double-registered stallion, I Only Date Models, in Amateur Horsemanship and Trail; A Sultry Playboy in Western Pleasure and Trail; and He Thinks He’s Special in Trail, Western Riding, and Western Pleasure.

In the Solid Paint-Bred Hunter Under Saddle the World Champion was Brooke Dixon With Super Chip My Ride. The Reserve Champion was Jeff Burley with In The Bright Lights. Third place was Mikey Trueba with Party In Slow Motion. Fourth place was Dan Prouhet with Skys Blue Iron. Fifth place was Thomasena Strickland with Hoo Has My Spots. Sixth place was Lauren Guinn with Wicked All The Time.

The winner of the Masters Amateur Senior Hunter Under Saddle was Coleen Bull with Timeless Assets. The Reserve Champion was Kelli Foster with Fleets Serenity. Placing third was Meredith Landy with Certified Stride. Fourth place was the birthday girl Megan Brown with Game Time. Rounding out the top five was Anne Rosen with All About The Swing.