Karissa Shank and Assets Miss Reba Win Congress 11 and Under Horsemanship

By: Brittany Bevis

12-year-old Karissa Shank relied on her experienced equine partner, 18-year-old Assets Miss Reba, to help her claim a Congress Champion title in 11 and Under Horsemanship this afternoon. Karissa and “Reba” have been a team for just one year now thanks to a lease from her friend and fellow equestrian, Hailey Thornton.

“Reba is awesome,” Karissa says. “She always listens to me. My favorite parts of the pattern were the 270 degree turn into the lope circle and then the 90 degree turn into an extended trot, because we extend really well. I think this pattern was really good because it had a really nice flow to it.”

Assisting Karissa and Reba with preparations for today’s class was their horse trainer, Jenell Pogue. “She’s done an absolutely amazing job with Reba and I!”

This adorable duo has had a very busy day, placing 15th in Novice Youth 13 and Under Trail this morning, winning 11 and Under Horsemanship this afternoon, and they will compete in 11 and Under Hunter Under Saddle this evening. Later on in the show, they plan to compete in Equitation, Trail, Showmanship, and Western Pleasure. We wondered if it’s hard to switch gears from the precise concentration required for Trail and Horsemanship to the forward movement of Hunter Under Saddle.

“She’s pretty used to it, so it’s not that hard for me to do,” Karissa says. “Going from Trail to Horsemanship is a little difficult.”

Karissa would like to thank her parents, horse trainer, family, and horse show friends for all of their help here at the Congress.

The Reserve Champion in the class was Grant Mastin with Been Bar Hoppin. Third place was Alexia Tordoff with Huntin For Daisies. Fourth place was Sidney Kay Dunham with No Trouble Mac. Fifth place was Paige Wellendorff with Good To Be Sudden.