Randy Wilson/Extra Dirty Martini Win Virginia Maiden 3 and Over Western Pleasure
Randy Wilson. All photos courtesy of Natalia Zvanya.
By: Brittany Bevis
The main event during the VQHA Spring Breakout show, March 15-17 in Lexington, VA. was undoubtedly the Virginia Maiden 3 and Over Western Pleasure class. With a total purse of $33,810, the Virginia Maiden saw a number of talented, young Western Pleasure prospects compete for their share of the prize money and some great awards.
Class Manager, Cameron Van Sickle, took on the task of gathering funds for the purse for this year’s event. “I grew up watching this class every year, and I didn’t want to see the tradition and legacy that Cecilia Hylton had built die out,” Cameron says. “I built this year’s purse from scratch without a major title sponsor and was really excited to reach my goal of over $30,000. 100% of my sponsorships went into the purse, as well as a majority of the entries. I also had the help of two, good friends to put things together, Meghan Tierney and Sam Schiness.”
Bret Parrish
The judges of Robin Frid, Garth Gooding, Tracy Willis, and Steve Meadows determined the winner of the class to be Randy Wilson with Extra Dirty Martini for owner, Jennifer Moreau. For their efforts, this team received $9,000 and a Harris Leather and Silverworks show headstall. The Reserve Champion was Bret Parrish with Shez Slippin Around for owner, William Hodges. This team received $6,000.
Coming in third was Dawn Baker with Tennessi Whiskey for Rusty and Katie Green. They received $4,200. Placing fourth was Brian Baker with Moonlite Imagination for Dawn Baker, who received $2,400.
Tying for fifth and sixth place were Jay Starnes with Only Na Lexus, winning $2,100 for William Dean Oliver, and Dustin Milsap with ShezaEzRockinGoodbar, winning $1,680 for Mac McGinnis. Dustin also received $1,000 for being named the highest placing Intermediate rider.
Brian Rastall
Christina Bantner rode PSU Certain Hope to place seventh and receive $1,560 for owner, Penny Osburn. She also received $1,000 for being the highest placing Limited rider. Jeff Long rode Invitation Bronzed to place eighth and take home $1,350 for owner, Nicole Stickney.
Ninth place was Brian Rastall with No Doubt Ima GoodOne for owner, Lori Partridge. He received $1,320 as well as $500 for placing Reserve in the Intermediate division.
Tying for tenth and eleventh place were Andrew Sharp with Jessica Rabbit for Alexandra Chavez and Jessi Irion with Drunk On Ur Love for Stephanie Windecker. Andrew received $1,200 and Jessi received $500 for being Reserve in the Limited division.
Click on the links below for some fun photos from around the rings at the Spring Breakout, courtesy of G-Man.
