First Time AQHA World Champions Include Robin Robinett and Kate Griffiths Jackson

By: Brittany Bevis

This morning at the AQHA World Championship Show was an exciting occasion for two competitors as they won their first golden globes after years of competing in the sport. First, Robin Robinett led TB Forever Cool to win Amateur Weanling Geldings.

In a word, Robin says finally achieving this win feels “unreal.” “I’ve been showing for 40 years, if not more. I’ve been doing this since I was five years old,” she says.

Robin purchased “JJ,” a gelding by Very Cool and out of a My Intentions mare, from Jason Smith. She believes his best attribute is his overall balance. “There are no holes. He’s good necked, good backed, and the front matches the rear. From head to toe, he’s really balanced. He’s non-controversial, as they say.”

Assisting Robin with preparations for today’s class was the tag-team duo of Jason Smith and Andy Staton. The latter will show the foal in the open division later in the show. As for Robin, she plans to enjoy her win and prepare to compete with her 2-year-old stallion later this week.

“I’m going to let it soak in for a while and root the rest of my teammates on the rest of the day. Maybe I will have a glass of wine later on!”

Reserve in the class was Dr. Gigi Davis with Very Good Intentions. Third was Dr. Jennifer Jubb with The Original.

In Amateur Weanling Colts, Kate Griffiths Jackson was the winner with Mr Fabulous. This was somewhat of a departure for Kate, who can most often be seen behind the scenes assisting her husband, Jarrell, and their employers, Terry and Tammy Bradshaw, with their Halter horses.

“I had a lot of helpers today and people to focus on while I was out there, between Uncle Ted and Andy. This was different not to have to hoof black a horse and brush out a tail. The behind the scenes stuff is a little more comfortable for me, I think.”

Although she may have felt a bit out of her comfort zone, Kate did an excellent job showing the young colt they call “Rooster,” who happens to be by the Bradshaw family’s stallion, Telasecret. “He’s by Telasecret and out of a My Intentions daughter named Cinderella’s Heiress,” she says. “It’s pretty cool keeping it in the family.”

“He’s a very balanced horse, and he’s big and pretty. He’s very sweet, and he kind of bailed me out a couple of times out there. It’s not really my thing showing the young horses, but I enjoyed it today. He made it easy.”

Later on in the show, Jarrell will lead Rooster in the open division.

Reserve in the class was Shirley McCary with Remingtonn. Third was James Kifer with I Am The One And Only.

In Amateur Weanling Fillies, the winner was Jeff Badgley with Ecredible Look. Reserve was Anthony Bladen with Maybelleen. Third was Kaleena Weakly with Mysstique.