Tuesday Afternoon Halter Wins go to Alderson, Klover, Berris, and Coon

By: Brittany Bevis

First up this afternoon at the AQHA World Show, Andrea Alderson led Most Appealing Dream to a unanimous finish in Amateur Performance Halter Mares. The Reserve Champion was Sally Ann Sullivan with Still A Kid. Third was Lynn Walker with She’s Boss E. Fourth was Cathrin Gutmann with Onlyafraid Inthedark. Fifth was Chelsea Martz with Onlythebestchocolate.

In Amateur 2-Year-Old Mares, Frank Berris led Bee Jewelled to win. This is the same mare that Frank led at the recent All American Quarter Horse Congress to win unanimously, as well as being named the Amateur Reserve Grand Champion Mare. Trainer, Ross Roark, also won under all four judges and was named the Open Grand Champion Mare at the show.

That success seems to have transferred quite nicely to the AQHA World Show as Frank has won two gold trophies in two days: Amateur Aged Geldings with It’s Gameday and now Amateur 2-Year-Old Mares with Bee Jewelled.

“I had to work hard for this one!” Frank says. “She’s the most beautiful, perfect horse I’ve ever owned in my life. I love her. She’s the best. The first thing I look at in a mare is her head, and she has the most perfect head with a wide forehead, tiny ears, big eyes, and a kind expression. She’s a joy to be around.”

Despite the pair’s recent success at the Congress, Frank was feeling the pressure when he entered today’s class. “The pressure was on,” he says. “This class here was the absolute toughest class I’ve seen at the World Show. There were horses here that weren’t at the Congress. There were six mare out there that could win.”

The Reserve Champion in Amateur 2-Year-Old Mares was Thomas Coon with Entrigue. Third was Steve Jensen with BPF Cheek To Cheek. Fourth was Kathleen Williams with Shangri La. Fifth was Dennis Atnip with Racy.

Next up, Robin Klover led She’s Keeping Secrets to win Amateur 3-Year-Old Mares. Robin and “Rita” have been a team for a year and a half. The mare was purchased last last spring after she was spotted by Robin and his trainer, Rick Lawrence. “This is my first World Champion. It’s pretty exciting and nerve-wracking!”

Robin came to his first AQHA World Show back in 1989 as a member of the Kansas State Horse Judging Team. After a period of time off to focus on his family and career, Robin is glad to be back in the industry he loves. “I always knew I’d come back. I have it in my blood. I started coming back in 2000 and have been coming ever since.”

In charge of fitting Rita for the World Show this year was Ross Roark, who will show the mare in the open division on Friday. “We’re hoping this trend will continue!”

The Reserve Champion was Scott Trahan with Ladies N Lace. Third was Kathleen Williams with Equities. Fourth was Rose Bode with Got My Sass on. Fifth was Justin Ware with My Ohhh My.

Finally, Thomas Coon and his horse, PF Chrome Rimz, did a happy dance when the announcer revealed that they were the World Champions in Amateur 3-Year-Old Geldings. “Spinner” has been named a Reserve World Champion in the past, and placed third at the Select World this year with Thomas’ wife, Mimsi, at the lead, but this is his first World Champion title.

“I did a happy dance and then Spinner did a happy dance!” Thomas says. “For me to win it today was awesome. Spinner is the first foal by the stallion, Chromed Up, so Chester and Ann Prince were proud to have him win today.”

According to Thomas, Spinner’s success can be attributed to three things. “He’s big, strong, and pretty. He’s going to be an aged gelding next year and you’ve got to have all of those things.”

Later on in the week, trainer, Ted Turner, will show Spinner in the open division.

The Reserve Champion in the class was Kim Fullwood with Who Dated Who. Third place was Theodore Lincoln with Coos Me In The Dark. Fourth place was Kyle Hughes with Gee I Jo. Fifth was Todd Gralla with He’s That Cool.