NSBA World Champions Include Fox, Gore, Montes, Edwards, Banks, and More

By: Brittany Bevis and Eric Mendrysa

The 2020 NSBA World Championship Show is drawing to a close, but not before naming a few more World Champions. Strawberri Wine had an excellent few days, winning Select Western Riding with Laina Banks. Then, she returned to the pen to win Senior Western Riding with Anthony Montes in the saddle.

Strawberri has been in the Vickery barn for quite some time and she’s a beloved favorite, especially by Anthony. “When I got on her this morning, I kind of knew she was on. She just told me. I just sat on her and knew we were connected, in a way, and I went with it. I learned a lot from showing in this pen last year with her and that was not to go too fast. I didn’t do that today, and it worked.”

Anthony recognizes that while Strawberri is certainly a very talented horse, the Senior Western Riding class is one of the most difficult at the show simply due to the depth and breadth of competition. “Winning Senior Western Riding anywhere at anytime is special for anyone. It’s just a tough class full of great horses and exhibitors. To be able to make it happen and have that moment with her was very special.”

Strawberri has a 2-year-old by Only In The Moonlite that Anthony is very excited about, so be sure to look out for that new prospect to follow in its mother’s footsteps.

Melissa Wahrmund and Krymsun Kryptonite won Novice Amateur Horsemanship. Reserve was Hannah Davidson with There Goes My Zipper. Third was Doreen Moore. Emma Gore rode KNG Gotta Dance Good to win 2-Year-Old Ltd Non Pro Western Pleasure. Reserve was Meghan Tierney with Moola. Third was Brady Walker with Sittin Sideways.

Missy was in the saddle of her 9-year-old gelding “Clark” for the third horse show of their short career as a team. “The pattern had a really good flow with my favorite part being the extended jog up to a stop. The most challenging part for me are my spins, since this is only my third show with Clark.”

“This win is really special to me, because I have been working really hard with my trainer, Reid Thomas, to perfect my skills in this class.”

Emma Edwards was named the champion with This Is Why Im Here in Amateur Western Riding. Reserve was Kristen Galyean with VS Lady In Red. Third was Jeffrey Johns with KM Flat Out The Best. Sara Simons rode Hez Blazin Trouble to win Color Western Riding. Reserve was Sara Simons with One Flashy Sensation. Third was Bruce Vickery with Hez Raising The Bar.

Angela Fox rode Im Simply Southern to win 3-Year-Old Open Limited Hunter Under Saddle. Angela purchased this gelding, with guidance from Jason Martin and Charlie Cole, from Amy Gumz last year, as he is by the stallion, Its A Southern Thing. “I bought him to do some of the futurities with, and this is second time I’ve shown him. I got to show him at Sun Circuit earlier this year and then, with COVID-19 and everything, we didn’t get to show much, so we’re very excited to be here and be able to show.”

“I want to make it a practice of buying young horses and turning them into something. I thought he had something special, but since we haven’t been able to show in a while, we haven’t gotten the chance to show people what he can do. But today he proved it.”

Angela describes the three-year-old as a very easygoing horse that has blossomed under the guidance of Beth Case. “I ride with Beth at Highpoint and she is a master at getting a horse prepared for a non pro to ride. She was showing in the class after me, so she wasn’t really able to be down there in the warmup pen while I was getting ready, but I think I know the drill. Honestly, he’s just a really easy horse and very fun to show.”

Megan Waldron rode Wine After Whiskey to win 2-Year-Old BCF Ltd. Open Hunter Under Saddle. Reserve was Meghan Tierney with Enticed. Third was Ashley Bailey with Fun To Be Best. Kevin Griner and Feelin Snoozy were the winners in Non Pro Hunter Longe Line. Reserve was Tracy Stenroos with Struck By Whitning. Third was Shane McCord with Got Em Sayin Wow.

Anthony Montes rode Chips Machine to win Green Senior Western Riding. Reserve was Blake Weis with Don’t Think Twice. Third was John Briggs with RR Its Suddenly Nite.