AQHA World Show

This past weekend I had the privilege of attending the AQHA World Championship Show in Oklahoma City. I planned on attending the World Show for the Pleasure Versatility Challenge weekend thanks to the expert advice from Gordon Downey during the Congress! I have never watched that class, so I was super excited to check it out! Thursday evening after work, I hopped on my flight and flew down to Oklahoma City!

Friday was Veterans Day and many people at the World Show showed their respect to the men and women who served to protect our freedom by wearing red. Friday morning I enjoyed catching up with vendors and ring stewards who traveled from Congress to Oklahoma, friends at the show, and the ladies who work in the office and make sure the World Show rolls on without a hitch! I also had the opportunity to interview with television host, Courtenay DeHoff, and spoke to my involvement with AQHYA and how it laid the foundation of where and who I am today! I then quickly met the ladies who were in charge of organizing and setting up the awards in the tunnel in the Jim Norick Arena. The tunnel is filled with the coveted bronze, silver, and golden globes and trophies.  Walking through that tunnel is surreal, especially knowing that I would be awarding riders these globes that they worked so hard for all year! I was able to award trail, western riding, equitation, western pleasure, working hunter, and hunter under saddle classes!  One memorable moment that was very special was Look N Hot’s retirement. I gave Laurel Chapman her golden globe in the Level 3 Select Equitation and she told me that all she wanted was one more trophy before she retired her gelding, Look N Hot, after her Hunter Under Saddle Class later that evening. Shortly after her Equitation class, she was back in the arena showing in the Select Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. Prior to the placings of the class, Laurel asked Craig Harrison, the show farrier, to remove Look N Hot’s back shoes and she untacked him to officially retire him. Look N Hot had won his 24th World Championship in the Select Equitation earlier that evening, and so incredibly special was that he won his 25th World Championship in that very class. What a talented and special horse!

Saturday was performance halter, trail, western pleasure, 3YO Hunter under saddle stakes, Amatuer Horsemanship, and the Pleasure Versatility Challenge. The Level 3 Amateur Horsemanship is personally my favorite class to watch at the AQHA World Championship Show.  As a horsemanship competitor myself, I understand how talented all of the riders in the finals of this class are.  It is so fun to watch how each rider showcases their unique style and strengths to compete for the coveted golden globe. It is a competitive class! Natalia Devencenty was able to defend her 2021 Amateur Horsemanship World Championship title in the flawless pattern she executed with her horse, Moonlite Madnez. Congratulations Natalia! 

Saturday evening was the Pleasure Versatility Challenge. The stands were full eager to watch these talented 3 year olds compete for the champion title. The Pleasure Versatility Challenge is meant to highlight the versatility of the American QUarter Horse. The challenge is made up of 3 parts: a pattern that highlights ability to navigate trail poles and flying lead changes, a western pleasure class, and a conformation class. All exhibitors must dismount in between classes to avoid giving any advantage to any of the competitors. The conformation class is held after the two riding events, so each rider can have a team of 2 people and 5 minutes to untack their horse and clean them up to be shown. This event was so exciting to watch! It was remarkable to see the talent of the 3 year olds that were shown and how well behaved they were despite the limited amount of time in the show arena. Blake Weis and RV Not For Hire were the winners of the challenge and really wowed the crowd. I encourage everyone to tune in next year for this incredible event!

Sunday was a full day of awarding AQHA World Champions in Hunter Hack, Working Hunter Under Saddle, Hunter Under Saddle, Western Riding, and Western Pleasure. Sunday evening AQHA even held a Yellowstone Watch Party for the Season 5 premiere! They offered popcorn and showed the 2 new episodes on the big screen in the Jim Norick Arena. 

I had such a wonderful time at the AQHA World Championship Show. Thank you AQHA for having me! The next travels will be to Florida at the beginning of the new year! Wishing everyone the happiest of holiday seasons!