Youth Mares Congress Champions Include Searles, Cole, Holliday, Hauer, Carter, and More

By: Brittany Bevis

Today’s Youth Halter Mares classes have been running fast and furious here at at the Quarter Horse Congress. First, Bailee Yount led Kute Kittee to win Youth Weanling Mares. The Reserve Champion was Alexa Brooks with I’m Willy Hot Stuff. Third was Sophia Harper with Smoking Heartache.

Trent Searles led She’s That Radiant to win Youth Yearling Mares. The Reserve Champion was Katherine West with Apleezing. Third was Haley Viola with Pscsmoothsummerdaze. Fourth was Brianna Merklin with Shesa Hot Liner. Fifth was Taylor Nelson with Invest N The Redhead.

Trent’s mare, by Hes All That, is a double registered AQHA/APHA filly, and the Congress is only her fourth horse show. “Kate” is a recent addition to the Searles family. “She came from a pasture in Florida,” Trent says. “Someone called Jeffrey Pait, and he came out to see her. He liked her, picked her up, and took her home.”

“She’s really good-minded. She doesn’t act like a yearling. Today, she kind of did, but she’s come a long way and learned a lot. She’s smart. You can see that she pays attention.”

Trent is the son of well-known performance horse trainers, Jim and Deanna Searles, so we wondered why he gravitates to the Halter pen. “I like being next to the horses all the time. Also, I get to a wear a suit, and that’s always fun!”

Kate is the youngest horse that Trent has ever shown, and there are some considerations that have to be made when showing a young horse. “Today, she was a little more antsy, trying to look around and see new things. I tried to keep her head straight and keep her attention. I talked to her. I hold her with my right hand, keep her head straight with my lead hand, and kind of shimmy back and forth. I set her up with my lead shank. First, I set the right hind and then place the left hind. Then, I hand set over the withers and shoulders for her front feet.”

Coming up next, Kate will be shown by Jeffrey Pait at the AQHA World Show.

Haleigh Holliday led ER A Secret Fox to win Youth 2-Year-Old Mares. The Reserve Champion was Garrett Freeman with Cool E. Third was Margaret Carter with Telling Touch. Fourth was Claire Carroll with Perfecion. Fifth was Taylor Nelson with Ain’t So Hott.

This is the second Congress title for 17-year-old Haleigh. Earlier in the show, she was named the Congress Champion in 14-18 Equitation Over Fences with Deluxe Detail. She also placed fourth in Working Hunter and third in the Non Pro Derby. This is her first time showing in Halter at the Congress.

This year at the AQHA Youth World Show, Haleigh and “Foxy” placed fifth in their class. Coming into today, she had no expectations to be the winner, but there was still hope. “I knew she could do it it; it was just if I could do it, because I’m new to this whole Halter thing!”

“I have a really good trainer in Jeffrey Pait. I do get really nervous, so I have to remember to take deep breaths. I get nervous for both classes, but Jumping is probably the hardest because you just have to be on that day. Debbie Furlong is my trainer.”

Margaret Carter led Sweep Me Away to win Youth 3-Year-Old Mares. The Reserve Champion was Onna Downey with Made You Watch.

Although it might not have been apparent to spectators, Margaret’s horse, Sweep Me Away, is “very pregnant.” She’s currently in foal to Ecredible. “I think I need two trophies!” Carter jokes.

Margaret’s pretty mare has quite this history here at the Congress. She’s won three Congress Champion titles in a row, as a yearling, two-year-old, and now three-year-old, which certainly bodes well for her coming offspring. “I hope her baby gets her topline. She’s a little spunky, so I’m not sure if I want her to get that! She’s very dainty and pretty smooth. She always shows, puts her ears up, and stands out there.”

Coming up next, Margaret will show Elite in Youth Yearling Geldings and Coos Me In The Dark in Youth Aged Geldings.

10-year-old Audrey Cole was the winner in Youth Aged Mares with Be A Diva. The Reserve Champion was Bailee Yount with Equities. Third was Ava Specht with Shez Telling Me. Fourth was Asya Modert with Sudden Hot Romance. Fifth was Riley Long with Lett Her Lope.

This is Audrey’s first trip to the Congress, and she describes it in one word- “Fun!” Although she does get a bit nervous, especially when showing in such a big class, she knows that “Diva” is always ready to show.

“Sometimes, when her hooves go into the ground, they get covered up by sand, so I have to make them not be covered up. Also, I have to remember, that if she pulls back, not to pull on her. To get her ears up, I have a peppermint in my pocket. I crackle the paper, and it will get her ears up. She gets to eat it at the end of the class!”

Audrey gets to show several horses here at the Congress, thanks to her grandmother’s well-appointed show string. Audrey’s favorite is DMM Secret Sinsation, aka “Sinbad” that she plans to show tomorrow in Youth Aged Geldings. “He’s just so sweet and easy to show.”

Our readers might remember Miss Audrey from her video interview at the Youth World Show this year. After winning her first Youth World title, she confirmed that she wanted to “go party!” After today’s win, she wants to do the same, but with one addition, “I want vanilla cake with sprinkles.”

Savannah Hauer led Natural Order to win Youth Performance Halter Mares. The Reserve Champion was Shelby Cochran with Lazy Open Invitation. Third was Katherine West with Got My Swag On. Fourth was Mallory Vroegh with Krymsun Belle. Fifth was Alexis Winemiller with Good Miss Cadillac.

Finally, Miss Audrey Cole led Be A Diva to be named the Youth Grand Champion Mare. The Reserve Grand Champion Mare was Equities, led by Bailee Yount.