Johnson, Groff, and Trahan Top Amateur Weanling/Yearling Geldings Leaderboard

By: Brittany Bevis

The Amateur Weanling Geldings saw identical results for both the regular division of the class as well as the limited division. Winning the Congress Champion title was Karen Johnson with Heza Sidewinder, a repeat winner from the open division of the class last week with Randy Jacobs at the lead.

The Reserve Champion was Helen Groff with JCG Game On. Third place was Ronald Fasolo with Fayemus Avenger. Fourth place was Mary Norman with My Secret Conclusion. Rounding out the top five was Melinda Clark with I Am On Top.

We caught up with the Reserve Champion, Reserve Limited Champion, and Weanling Challenge Futurity winner Helen Groff with the gelding she calls “BA.”

“This is a weanling gelding out of a mare we raised by Dominate Clu,” Groff says. “We bred her to our stud, JCG Avenger. He’s been a really special colt since he hit the ground. He gets better every day and has all of the qualities we like to see in a halter horse. We like to see that balance, a nice straight back, big hip, correct in the hocks, long neck, and good legs of course.”

In charge of fitting BA is Groff’s son/trainer, Dillon Groff. Everything at the Groff barn is a family affair. Groff’s grandchildren, 5-year-old Carter and 3-year-old Tyler, could be heard in the stands yelling, “Good job Mimi!”

“Oh they’re already riding their ponies and practicing standing up something safe in the barn,” she says. “I’ve been showing for over 30 years, and this never gets old. You always hope for that number one slot when you go in there, especially when you’re breeding. My saying is, ‘when you breed, you don’t get what you like, you have to like what you get.'”

Then, Karen Johnson was named Congress Champion again in Amateur Yearling Geldings with The Secretz Out; this pair was also named the limited division winner. The Reserve Champion in the class was Scott Trahan with Mattlock; this team was also the limited division Reserve winner. Rounding out the top three and winning the Equine Chronicle-sponsored Challenge Futurity was Anne Prince with PF Chrome Rimz.

 

Amateur Weanling Geldings– (and Limited results)

1-Heza Sidewinder/Karen Johnson

2-JCG Game On/Helen Groff

3-Fayemus Avenger/Ronald Fasolo

4-My Secret Conclusion/Mary Norman

5-I Am On Top/Melinda Clark

Equine Chronicle-sponsored Futurity-

1-JCG Game On/Helen Groff- $1,368

2-Fayemus Avenger/Ronald Fasolo- $1,64

3-My Secret Conclusion/Mary Norman- $608

Amateur Yearling Geldings-

1- The Secretz Out/Karen Johnson

2-Mattlock/Scott Trahan

3-PF Chrome Rimz/Anne Prince

4-Righteous Rascal/Diane Moore

5-BPF Tela Tommy/Chase Baker

Ltd.-

1- The Secretz Out/Karen Johnson

2-Mattlock/Scott Trahan

3-Righteous Rascal/Diane Moore

4-Who Dated Who/Kim Fullwood

5-BPF Tela Tommy/Chase Baker

Equine Chronicle-sponsored Futurity-

1- Anne Prince/PF Chrome Rimz