For anyone who watched this year’s AQHYA Western Pleasure prelims, a young boy on a bay mare probably caught your attention. Eleven year-old Steve Wheat of Benton, Louisiana and his mount, Miss Potential Zip (Patty) were impressive in their Youth World debut. The sixth grader showed off his talent as a showman in this class full of much older and seasoned competitors.
This duo ended up second in the 13 and Under division at the Youth World and now they are ready to take on Las Vegas. Steve and Patty will be competing at the Level 1 West Championships in the 13 and Under Western Pleasure.
The sixth grader says he doesn’t like any other events except the western pleasure. “It is all I have ever known, and I really enjoy this class,” Steve told us. “I enjoy sitting up there and showing her off. She is a fun horse to ride and I was happy with how we did at the Youth World.”
Steve’s father, horse trainer, Greg Wheat, leased the mare for his son from well known breeder, Karen Rodrock. This 15 year-old mare is by Certain Potential and out of Surely Sheza Zippo. The seasoned show mare is also a former AQHA World Champion in the Select Amateur Western Pleasure with Ann Admonius. Current owner, Karen Rodrock has also done well with her over the years.
“I was really proud of Steve at the Youth World,” says his father, Greg. “He prepared her himself and figured out all her tricks and got her shown very well. Patty is an experienced teacher and has taught Steve a lot about showing. I work for Karen Rodrock and she decided to take a year off from showing so she let Steve lease her. It was perfect timing because unfortunately his other horse had foundered and couldn’t be shown.”
Earlier this year, Steve and Patty won the Dixie Nationals as well as they were also Region 9 Experience Champions in the Novice Youth 13 and Under Western Pleasure in Jackson, Mississippi for the second year in a row.
The middle schooler is also involved with baseball where he pitches and plays first and third base. He’s also active in Boy Scouts and runs track. When we asked him what he enjoys more baseball or showing horses, he says, “I like them both about the same–maybe baseball just a little bit more.”
Greg says that his son wants to fly jets when he gets older. “He has already flown in a flight simulator and he also says he wants to be a history professor at the Naval Academy, which I highly recommend over being a horse trainer,” Greg says and laughs.
Greg says that Steve may show Patty next year but it depends on how she holds up. “Patty just loves Steve and will do anything he asks–unlike when I get on her. He does have another horse, RR Moonlite Memories that he will probably show some next year too. Steve has already had a learning experience with rock grinders on her when the mare proceeded to buck him off. She is not as forgiving as Patty.”
We wish this duo the best of Luck in Vegas in the Level 1 13 and Under Western Pleasure in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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