Yearly Archives: 2011

Defending their title…again. Jessica Johnson and Royality In Blue came to the 2011 AQHA World Championship showing in several events, but they were out to defend their title in the hunt seat equitation.

Darcy Reeve claims a second gold trophy in 2011 Bank of America Amateur Week. A year ago, Darcy Reeve of Garden City, Kansas, competed as a youth. This year, she stepped up to the big leagues of amateur competition at the 2011 AQHA World Championship Show. And November 12, Darcy claimed her second world championship trophy of Bank of America Amateur Week in western riding with A Certain Vino.

Amber Cunningham of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and her bay gelding, HF Bentley, faced the arena first in the showmanship finals early November 11, at the 2011 AQHA World Championship Show.

After a year hiatus from APHA World Show, Predictably Perfect wins a world championship in Masters Amateur Western Riding. Predictably Perfect was absolutely perfect in the Masters Amateur Trail on November 8. With his owner, Susan Wilson, in the saddle, the 10-year-old gelding, who won a 2009 world championship in the class, skillfully made his way through the pattern, ending up with a unanimous decision for a second world title. The Journal caught up with Susan to ask her about their world championship ride.

This wife was out to beat her husband today. Joyce and Darrell Saul of Des Arc, Arkansas both made it to the amateur pleasure driving finals at the 2011 AQHA World Championship Show. Along with 10 other finalists, Joyce and Darrell worked through a long finals go and Joyce ended up placing first on three out of five judges’ cards and won the overall title of AQHA world champion in amateur pleasure driving.

David Buckham scores a goal in Junior Hunter Under Saddle. Good things come to those who wait, including world championships in Junior Hunter Under Saddle. After several injuries prevented David Buckham from hitting the show pen with trainer Alyse Roberts, 2011 was the team’s year to shine. The Paint Horse Journal spoke to Alyse about her buckle-winning ride aboard “Rodney.”

There is no need to compromise on Western Pleasure talent like Never Compromise has. In a tough field of 24 young Western Pleasure stars, the elusive championship prize seemed wide-open. After judges called for the 3-year-olds’ best walk, jog, extended jog and lope, Never Compromise and Rusty Green emerged victorious. With powerful gaits and a striking coat pattern, Never Compromise is a favorite in the Green barn—and in the heart of his owner, Claire Binkowski.

Kathryn Olson of Bennett, Colorado, and Sarah Maggert of Paris, Illinois, battled to the end during the amateur trail finals November 9 at the 2011 AQHA World Championship Show. After a grueling ride-off, one point separated Kathryn and Sarah. Both women were Intermediate contenders, never placing in the top 10 at a world show before.

Longtime competitor Courtney Ryan has competed successfully at AQHA world shows for years primarily in showmanship and hunter under saddle. She has three showmanship world championships to her credit. But…“I’ve never won the world in hunter under saddle,” she says. “Never. I’ve been second, third, fourth, but never a win.”

The November 8 horsemanship finals pattern was once again a genuine rider’s chance to show off. As Daniel Carlson and Are You Charlie rode in first, the concourse in the Oklahoma State Fair Park Coliseum was lined with fellow finalists watching to see how he laid out the not-for-the-faint-of-heart pattern.