Natalia DeVencenty and Chex Is The Choice Win AQHA Youth World 14-18 Horsemanship

By: Brittany Bevis

With a pattern that included literally everything but the kitchen sink, Natalia DeVencenty and Chex is The Choice achieved a lifelong goal of winning Horsemanship at the AQHA Youth World in their final appearance.

“It was a very emotional day from start to finish, because this horse has my whole heart. Going into the finals, I knew it would be our last Horsemanship finals at our last Youth World together, so it was an emotional day. I think I cried five times before the class! It was our last chance to get it right. Every year there has been something that has prevented us from making the finals or being in the top three, so to finally get it right is amazing.”

Not for nothing, Natalia and “Sexy Chexy” have had quite the decorated youth career full of accomplishments. They won Trail here at the Youth World last year. They’ve also won 15-18 Equitation and Horsemanship at the Congress, as well as the NSBA World Show, but this particular win is extra special.”

Because Chex is 16 years old now and approaching an eventual retirement in the coming years, Natalia does have another horse that’s eager to fill his hoofprints. She brought 4-year-old, Moonlite Madnez, here to the Youth World where they competed in Trail. “He’s going to have to step in at the NSBA World and fill his big brother’s shoes in Horsemanship.”

But Natalia and Chex’s journey at the Youth World isn’t over yet. Tomorrow, they will compete in the Trail finals as well as the Western Riding finals later in the week.

For a good portion of Natalia’s time spent in AQHA competition, her trainer has been Kelly McDowall of Colorado. Everyone in the barn was pulling for Nat and Chex today by sporting their lucky gear.

“Kelly wore his lucky purple shirt that he was wearing when I won Trail last year. His daughter, Claire, was wearing the same shirt she wore when I won Horsemanship and Trail at the Congress. Then, I was also wearing my lucky, purple lipstick!”

“When I came to Kelly’s barn, I didn’t know what hand to ride with. I had done Hunter Jumpers and didn’t know anything about riding Western. He’s taught me everything. He’s been a second dad to me. We’ve traveled across the country together and none of this would’ve been possible without him.”

This afternoon’s pattern was incredible complicated with multiple fast lopes, a U-turn, extended trots, lead change, straight lines and square corners. A few weeks ago, Natalia took a look at the finals pattern in order to create a game plan.

“I know a lot of people don’t like to look at the patterns ahead of time, but I like to know what I’m getting into, so I have something to prepare for. When I saw it, I thought it could be fun. It was very interesting with fast runs, turns, extended trots, jogs, and square corners. There were a lot of lines and complicated transitions. I didn’t expect him to show as well as he did. We were having a little hard time in the warm up, for a hot second; but, when we walked into the pen, he had his game face on and he was amazing.”

The Reserve Champion was Mallory Vroegh with Krymsun Belle. Third was Alexandrea Albright with Best Gift Yet. Fourth was Harley Huff with GW Jack Bar. Fifth was Payton Neiberger with Willys So Good. Sixth was Nya Kearns with Never Sudden. Seventh was Taylor Searles with Hereicomagain. Eighth was Ellexxah Maxwell with Zips Bossy Chip. Ninth was Giorgia Medows with Wimpys Show Stopper. Tenth was Hanna Olaussen with Wearing Only Moonlite.