Issie Himes and Assets Miss Reba Win First 13 and Under Horsemanship Class at AQHA Youth World

By: Brittany Bevis

Issie Himes and Assets Miss Reba made history tonight at the AQHA Youth World Show by becoming the first 13 and Under Horsemanship World Champions.

“I thought it was a really nice experience for people who are younger and can’t quite compete against the older and more experienced riders,” Issie says.

Although 14-year-old Issie and her 21-year-old mare, “Reba,” have been a team for quite some time now, Issie confesses that she still gets very nervous. “I get really nervous at big shows. Usually, I get so nervous that I mess up my patterns. I either ask for too much or I get so nervous that I forget a part of the pattern, but I didn’t today! I really liked my turns and my extended trot. Those are usually my favorite pieces of Horsemanship, because that’s what Reba excels at the most. We don’t have the best lead changes, but our lead change wasn’t that bad today. She usually anticipates things a lot, but she didn’t this time.”

Issie and Reba have been a team for the past three years. They currently compete under the guidance of Chris and Melissa Jones. They have prior Congress Championships to their credit and won L2 Trail at the Youth World last year. “Reba can be very lazy, but she can also be very energetic for being 21 years old. She’s very dramatic, and she squeals a lot. When I school her in Showmanship, she squeals a lot, and very loudly. Also, she loves Oreos with her whole heart.”

Competing alongside Issie is her older sister, Gracie. “I do listen to her because I know she knows what she’s talking about. She’s like my second trainer, and she’s always there for me. She tells me what to fix, and she’s a great showman, herself, so I know that listening to her will benefit me.”

Coming up next, Issie and Reba will compete in L2 and 13 and Under Equitation, 13 and Under Showmanship, 13 and Under Trail, and L2 Horsemanship. Issie would like to thank Chris and Melissa Jones, Kyle Flatter, Hayley Thorton, Adam and Cheyenne Winter, and her family and friends for all of their help and support.

The Reserve Champion was Brooke Jolstad with Betta Believe It. Third was Isabella D’Onofrio with Nearly Chocolate. Fourth was Tatum Keller with Rock N All Night. Fifth was Alexis Potts with Jet Set Invitation.