Jason Martin and Elis A Sleepin Win Congress Senior Western Riding with 233.5

By: Brittany Bevis

A last minute, late entry in Senior Western Riding proved to be a great decision for Jason Martin and Elis A Sleepin as they were named the Congress Champions this morning at the 2016 All American Quarter Horse Congress. Jason and “Eli” scored a 233.5 to win the class for owner Kirsten Thomsen.

The Reserve Champion was Charlie Cole with Ima Petite Classic scoring a 232.5. Third place was Kellie Hinely with The Vital Invitation with a 230. Fourth was Jason Martin with Heza Radical Zip with a 229.5. Fifth was Nancy Alto-Renfro with This Is Why I’m Here.

This is the first time Eli has won a Congress Championship title in this discipline. Earlier in his career, he was named an AQHA World Champion with Leonard Berryhill in the saddle.

Jason and Eli went fourteenth in the working order today, so they had a while to wait to see if the score would hold up through 63 other entries. “I’ve been at the score screen the whole time!” Kirsten says.

Kirsten praises her black gelding’s fluidity and cadence when completing a Western Riding pattern, as well as his lofty changes. When asked what she liked about this particular pattern she exclaims, “Everything!”

Jason is quick to praise Eli’s previous trainers for their excellent work laying a foundation for this talented gelding. “We want to thank all of his trainers, from Troy, who won the Congress on him; to Leonard [Berryhill], who trained him to do Western Riding; to Nancy [Alto-Renfro], who did finishing touches.”

Coming into the Congress, Eli wasn’t scheduled to attend, so Jason didn’t start preparing him until later September. “I had to beg Kirsten’s mother to let me bring him, because he wasn’t entered here. I got him on the 15th of September, so I didn’t have much time, and I was on vacation during the first week of that. Literally I had him for two weeks. I didn’t want to miss riding him this whole time and then go to the World Show and have too high of expectations. I was hoping I could come here, figure him out a little bit, and figure out how he shows, so I could trust him more.”

So what does Jason think after their first time in the show pen as a team? “He’s such a gentleman. He shows perfectly. I didn’t change anything. What a nice horse! He’s great minded, kind, and doesn’t cheat at all. Now, I’m trying to get Kirsten’s mother to let her come back and show in Amateur Western Riding…”

Sixth place in the class was Jim Searles with More Radical. Seventh was Robin Frid with Invitemeforchocolate. Eighth was Chad Evans with My Vital Valentine. Ninth was Cheryl Hawkins with Best In The Dark. Tenth was Jim Searles with Lopin For A Chex.