Revival of the Congress Open Versatility in 2023 A Resounding Success
By Delores Kuhlwein
The All American Quarter Horse Congress Versatility Stakes are legendary, and over the years at its peak, a win in the famous Congress Versatility was not just coveted – it was a time for teams to shine and an opportunity for sheer joy and excitement for a packed house in the Celeste Center. Notable riders such as Kristy Starnes, Lynn Palm, Kaleena Weakly, and Hank Clason, to name just a few, earned top honors.
Justin Billings, Executive Vice President of Operations for the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, explains, “There’s a lot of nostalgia surrounding the class – when you bring the Versatility up, it immediately generates wonderful memories, as it was a unique and historic part of the Congress for a long time.”
This year, the Open Versatility Stakes was revived, much to the delight of both exhibitors and attendees, on Saturday, October 21st in the Celeste Center – a grand finale as the last class on the last Saturday.
In addition, an extra $10k was on the line, thanks to the generosity of sponsor Gerri Leigh Pratt, and a four-judge system was used with the lowest score dropped – with the overall tie breaker the event of Pole Bending.
The order of go:
- HUS
- WP
- Ranch Riding
- Pole Bending
The crowd continued to grow as the classes came and went, and the excitement climbed, with off-the-charts audience participation. Those in the stands not only sang and danced their hearts out to The Village People’s “YMCA” and Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” during the tack changes, but their cheers were deafening as exhibitors performed lead changes in Ranch Riding and asked their horses for their all in the Pole Bending.
After the final results were called out, many audience members were heard to say it was the most fun they’d had at a horse show in a long time!
Individual Class results:
Hunter Under Saddle Champion: Unbridle Your Dreams with Scott Jones for Susan Phillips
Western Pleasure Champion: Kickin Dust Up with Kyle Dougherty for Molli Froman
Ranch Riding Champion: Hollywoods Money with Casey Pierce for Ken or Casey Pierce
Pole Bending Champion: Charlies Twisted Frost owned and shown by Emily Myers
Final results for the Open Versatility:
Champion: Born With Assets with Julian Harris for Karlee Hegi
Reserve Champion: Unbridle Your Dreams with Stephanie Armellini and Scott Jones for Susie Phillips
Third: Kickin Dust Up with Kyle Dougherty and Beckey Schooler for Molli Froman
Fourth: Hollywoods Money with Casey Pierce for Ken or Casey Pierce
Fifth: Blow The World AKiss with Marion Troyer for Anna Minich
Sixth: HP Good Investment with Joni Spect for Brooklyn Miller
Seventh: Charlies Twisted Frost owned and shown by Emily Myers
Eighth: Cool Lookin Ladiesman with Michelle Warda for Taylin Collins
Ninth: Allisons Charmer with Allison Derr for Tiffany Derr
Both Julian Harris and Stephanie Armellini, who Julian explains were separated from the top two spots by just a fraction of a point, had the time of their lives and credit their horses with much of their success.
Stephanie says the experience was great, and everyone really had a good time (especially the crowd!). When asked how she got ready for an event like this, she explains she already shows “Special,” by Im A Platinum Dream and out of Wild Gypsy Soule, raised by Dale Livingston, in the Hunter Under Saddle, so she didn’t really have to prep for that event. But she did work on the Pleasure and Ranch Riding at home and a couple of times during the show. “I did not practice the poles,” she reveals. “Decided we were just going to wing that. He’s not much of a runner so I knew that was going to be what it was anyway!”
She admits it was tough as an event on the last day because at that point, everyone, including her, just wants to be done. “But we rallied, maybe had some wine, and just went for it! I’m glad we did! I think moving it to the last Friday would be a good idea. I think there may be more people that enter and stay to watch,” she says. It was quite a performance for rallying!
When Julian Harris donned his fringed jacket for Ranch Riding and Pole Bending with Born With Assets, by The Born Legacy and out of Pretty Assets, the crowd went wild. “I do this for the horses, and when you have an event like that, it would have been a disservice to not make it as fun as possible,” he says. ”I always knew I had the horse for it, and when I knew it was an option, I knew it would be fun.”
He says the magic of the event is the opportunity to watch horses that are good movers, broke, and athletic, combined with the chance to see the trainers let their hair down. “It’s a perfect platform to show off yourself and your horse,” he adds.
The horse, he explains, is a full-circle story representing the Congress. Not only is this Julian’s first Congress Championship win – Born With Assets was also purchased as the high selling Hunt Seat yearling at the Congress sale in 2019, and Julian started her. “I’ve always loved this mare and hadn’t found something to showcase her fully,” he explains. “But there’s not a single thing she has said ‘no’ to, and I knew the rush of the transition from fast to slow really appealed to me. She’s been Top 5 here, but she’s never shown in the Ranch Riding, but she just went in there and laid it down, and at 16.2, that means so much. She’s not brilliant at just one thing, she’s a true example of what it means to be versatile.”
Julian was also thrilled to be part of this boost for the Congress in general since the mare is a Congress sale success story, and for him, being known mainly as a hunt seat rider, for her to take him to this win “by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin since there was a 100th of a point separating Stephanie and I.”
He’s most thankful to Karlee Hegi, the owner of Born With Assets. “I’m super grateful to Karlee, who was also my groom for the Versatility. She was sending me the patterns before the event, and we did some shopping to prepare,” he says, including specific tack for certain events. “That mare is so competitive and so smart – she knew what she was being saddled for, and all I had to do was trust her. The minute those romals went on, she was right there with me, and when I put that saddle on her and put the fringe jacket on, her eyes lit up.”
“Yes, I trained her,” he concludes, “but that mare wants to play ball, and nothing beats a mare that wants to do it.”
Watch a short video of highlights of the class from the All American Quarter Horse Congress and Shane Rux Photography: https://fb.watch/nV86rLmMBr/
Congratulations to everyone on an amazing class! Keep scrolling for more photos of all Top 9 winners:
