Congress Champions Include Ost/Red Label, Riley/Solo Invested, and Hinely/Cool Burn

By: Brittany Bevis

First up this morning, Brad Ost rode a 4-year-old mare called Red Label to win the 4-6-Year-Old Trail Stakes for owners, Jannee and Dominic Pugliani. The team scored a 233.5 to win a buckle, saddle, and check for $5,813.20.

Some people might remember “Presley” from a few years ago when she and Brad were named the Limited Reserve Champions in the Coughlin 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure Futurity. Early on, Presley showed an aptitude for Western Pleasure, but now that she’s four, she’s expanding to repertoire to include other events.

“She was born at Highpoint, and she was all of our favorites as a yearling and then a two-year-old,” Brad says. “She was good in Western Pleasure, but we decided to start all-around events because she showed a little more talent for it. When she was three, we kept her home and worked on Trail and Western Riding. I didn’t start showing her again until this year.”

Presley competed in another Trail class here at the Congress, but she was feeling the first-time Trail jitters, so Brad developed a different plan going into the class this morning. “She got pretty nervous in the other classes, so I had a different game plan for today. That was to keep her really relaxed. It’s her first time to show here in Trail, and the more in the zone she is, the more relaxed and better she is.”

“I think she got a plus score on all of her lopes. She can do it really slow, and she reaches really far. She has a huge stride, so it’s more unique than some of the other horses.”

At the upcoming AQHA World Show, Brad will show Presley in Junior Trail. Next year, they hope to add Western Riding.

The Reserve Champion was Carly Parks with A Chrome Cookie for new owner, Angie Watts-Schmeck. Third was Jess Bergantzel with Getting Awesome. Fourth was Brent Maxwell with MNZ Shez Invited. Fifth was Deanna Searles with A Sleepy Trophy Wife.

Kellie Hinely rode Cool Burn to win 3-Year-Old Trail Stakes with a 221.5 for owner Mary Ingerson. Kelli’s daughter named this sweet gelding “Nemo” after one of her favorite Disney characters.

“We bought him from the Schroeder Sale as a yearling, and I’ve done all the work on him,” Kellie says. “We didn’t show him as a two-year-old, because he was growing so much. Then, maybe six months ago, I realized this is a crazy good Trail horse! This is only his third horse show.”

The three-year-old by Blazing Hot and out of a Don’t Skip Zip mare has been having quite the year. He was also named the Reserve Champion in 3-Year-Old Trail at the NSBA World Show.

“He has so much expression in his trot overs, and my first set of lopes was really good. I had a little bobble on my right lead lopes. I wasn’t really sure what he did, but then I went back and looked at the video and it wasn’t that bad. It always feels worse than it looks! Also, his sidepass was really good. His ears are always forward, and he always has great expression.”

This was a very special win for Kellie, because it’s her first Congress Champion title! “I’ve been Reserve so many times. Somebody asked me the other day what one of my goals is, and I said I would really like to win at the Congress. So, that happened! We could also win at the World Show next month. That would be good too!”

The pair claimed a check for $2,378.84 for the win. 

The Reserve Champion was Ashley Clock-Dunbar with VS Miss Lucy Lou. Third was Whitney Lagace with Rockin In The Blues. Fourth was Christie Arrington with Won Vital Code RV. Fifth was Troy Lehn with Good Like Jagger.

When it came time to return to the pen for results in Select Showmanship, Patrick Riley had no idea he was about to be named the Congress Champion in the class. “They didn’t tell me my score, so I didn’t find out that I’d won until right before I went in.”

Patrick and his 12-year-old Good Machine gelding, “Mac,” have been a team for a while now under the guidance of Chris Gray Performance Horses, and they’re having a fantastic year thus far. “We won at the Select World and then here, so he’s on fire right now. Also, we were Reserve in Horsemanship the other day. We’re leading the nation in points in Showmanship in the Amateur and Select divisions. This horse has never let me down in Showmanship, ever.”

When we asked Patrick which portions of the pattern he thinks received plus scores from the judges, he laughs when he says, “All of it!” “He has great stops and turns, and he’s an amazing backer.”

Patrick has been back in the horse industry for the past four years following a 23-absence, during which he was developing his career and raising a family. When he decided it was time to return to the show pen, Showmanship was an obvious choice. “I’ve always enjoyed Showmanship, even when I was a youth.” We wondered if he might give any advice to young men hoping to break into the highly competitive and primarily female-dominated discipline.”There is a definite guy factor. When you’re good, it’s in your favor. Take your time, perfect your craft, and you will rise to the top.”

The Reserve Champion was Linda Coakley with Patsys Royal Secret. Third was Karen Tegner-Manseth with Definately A First. Fourth was Rob Rivait with Show Your Invitation. Fifth was Karen Thomas with A Little Blu.