GoHorseShow stayed up until 2:30 am Sunday morning to watch the finals of the Markel Open Maturity Western Pleasure Finals in the coliseum, and it was worth the wait. There were multiple World and Congress Champions in the pen with some of the best open riders in the industry.
Our October GoMag cover boys, Huntin Big Dreams (Clint) and Adam Wainscott had three firsts and a third place to take home the championship trophy and a Blue Ribbon Saddle. Reserve Champions were Big N Rich (Tank) and Andy Cochran who is owned by the Kern family of Star Ranch Pleasure Horses and third place went to Gil Galyean and Heatin Up The Chips (Julia).
Adam Wainscott said he was happy with his ride, but that it was challenging showing at 2:30 in the morning. “It was past Clint’s bedtime and feeding time, and he was a little more tired than I would have liked–but he tried his best. He loves the pleasure and enjoys his job. He is so consistent, and never cheats me. I was tickled to be able to be in the top three on all the judge’s cards with Clint at such a major show. We were Reserve last year, and I was so happy to win it for his owner, Pam Bilek.”
Clint’s owner, Pamela Bilek, who bought Clint as a yearling, was so happy for Adam. “Adam’s mother was here to see Adam compete for the first time, so it was a great feeling to see Adam win while his mother was here,” Bilek told GoHorseShow at the Congress on Sunday afternoon. “Clint is such a gorgeous horse that is such a natural mover. It is rewarding to see the judges recognize his talent.”
The Reserve Champions, Big and Rich and Andy Cochran, looked impressive in the class, and it was refreshing to see all top three horses moving forward and passing some of the slower horses. Tank’s owner, Sheri Kern, was very excited to see the older horses doing so well. “As a breeder, it is great to see the maturity horses looking so good, and we strive to breed horses that have longevity in the industry. I also thought the judging was fair and consistent across the board.”
Sheri says that Tank, who is nine years-old loves his job and doesn’t care for retirement. “He always want to go along in the trailer and head to a show. He nickers if he sees people loading the trailer. Tank is my baby, and he has a forever home with us.”
Kern says that she looks forward to watching Andy show him in the Senior Western Pleasure and her daughter, Blair, show him in the Amateur Western Pleasure at the AQHA World Show. Kern’s youngest daughter, Kristin, plans on showing him at the Youth World Show next year. The family is also considering showing Tank again in the Western Riding where he demonstrates amazing talent. Charlie Cole and Big N Rich are past Congress winners in the Junior Western Riding.
Cochran adds, “Tank is a great one, and he felt great last night but I had to rush because they decided to combine the finals cuts of the Maturity and I didn’t have time to warm up,” says Andy. “I was honored to place second in such a tough and deep class, but I think that this class needs to be held in the Celeste and not run so late at night–the class deserves to be recognized as a main event held at the Congress.”
Another top placer, Heatin Up The Chips and Gil Gaylean looked great in the mare’s first year in the maturity division. “It was a tough pen of horses with multiple World and Congress Champions, and she held her own in her first year in the older division,” says Julia’s owner Jenna Dempze back at her stalls in the Gilligan.
Galyean adds, “It was the best ride we’ve had on the mare at the Congress so far,” Gil told GoHorseShow. “I was fortunate to have nice rail spots and it helped they only had one cut because it is challenging to prepare a horse that is showing so late. They are all tired, and they were able to look fresher and happier with only having to show one time last night. Hopefully, we can continue with this momentum and do well in the rest of the classes at the Congress.”
GoHorseShow congratulates the owners and trainers of these outstanding horses that stood out in last night’s class, and we wish them luck at the AQHA World Show.
