Jones and Vroegh Win AjPHA 14-18 Trail World Titles

By: Brittany Bevis

Two lovely ladies who shared the winner’s circle on Wednesday during 14-18 Showmanship found themselves in the same position this morning following the results of the 14-18 Trail. Earlier this week, Kassandra Jones led Chasinthesensation to win 14-18 Showmanship. The Reserve World Champion was Mallory Vroegh with Some Sweet Machine.

Today, Kassandra Jones claimed the first place spot once again and Mallory Vroegh was named the Reserve World Champion on her other horse, Only Good Intentions. Vroegh also rode Some Sweet Machine to a tenth place finish in the class.

Since we already had the chance to chat with Jones on Wednesday, we took this opportunity to speak with Vroegh following her second Reserve win of the show.

“Elvis is five years old, and he’s always been in training with my mom,” Vroegh says. “He was injured not too long ago, so he’s just coming back from a stifle injury. He listens to everything I ask for. He’s such a good boy, and he tries so hard.”

Vroegh shows Elvis in Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Trail, and Western Pleasure. She shows Some Sweet Machine, aka “Misty,” in Showmanship, Trail, and will show in Horsemanship this afternoon.

This isn’t Vroegh’s first trip to the AjPHA Youth World Show, but at the age of 15, the two Reserve Championships she’s earned this week are her first AjPHA World titles. Helping Vroegh with preparations for the show has been her mother, Shannon Vroegh, and all-around coach, Jason Gilliam.

“Jason has been a huge help to my all-around events,” she says. “Elvis is a bigger horse, so he told me I needed to stay out on my pinwheels and keep him slow because he has a really big stride. He said to keep my reins loose, but keep him in the bridle. He’s such a great mover, even over the poles. His movement is extraordinary.”

Vroegh will look to capitalize on Elvis’ movement when they compete in 14-18 Western Pleasure tomorrow morning. In just a few weeks, she will take Some Sweet Machine to the AQHYA World Show where they have nationally qualified to compete in Showmanship, Horsemanship, and Trail.

14-18 Trail:

1- Chasinthesensation/Kassandra Jones

2- Only Good Intentions/Mallory Vroegh

3- Ima Special Delivery/Emma-lee Schellenberg

4- Zippos Paycheck/Elizabeth Collins

5- Shez Eye Candy/Drew Rogers

6- I’ll Be Sensational/Drew Rogers

7- I’m Original/Haylee Schoonover

8- Zippos Redemption/Mary Camp

9- A Subtle Impulse/Meredith Milton

10- Some Sweet Machine/Mallory Vroegh