With 12 world championships, Harley D Zip is no stranger to AQHA world shows. THe 14-year-old gelding has 12 world championships in open, amateur, youth and Select. In 2008, owner Kristina Papendick showed “Harley” for the first time as an amateur. Kristina had won two youth world championships on the striking bay. They made the finals in western riding and ended up taking a silver trophy home along with a reserve world champion title. The pair came back again this year, making the finals after marking a 222.5 in the prelims. Fourth in the draw of 16, Kristina and Harley gracefully weaved through the pattern before coming to a stop in the middle of the arena. The crowd cheered loudly as Kristina reached down and patted Harley on the shoulder. However, scores were being held until the end of the event and when Kristina and Harley reentered the arena for the awards ceremony, they had no idea where they had placed. As each rider was called forward to receive their ribbon, it came down to only three: T. Sharnai Thompson on Sleepin In The Rain, who had just won the amateur western pleasure world championship, Jeffrey B. Johns on the multiple world champion Majestic Scotch and Kristina and Harley. Sharnai was called for third with a score of 224.5. Jeffrey was reserve with a 225. That left Kristina, riding Harley forward to receive the amateur world title as their winning score of 229.5 was announced to the crowd. With tears in her eyes, Kristina talked about her winning run and told the Journal that this is more than likely her last ride on Harley in the show arena.
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