At this year’s Congress, Masterson Farms’ sire, RL Best Of Sudden, had an outstanding Congress adding ten more Champion and ten more Reserve Champion titles to the impressive resume his offspring have put together. “Bo” also had countless top-10 placers. All of this success came in a variety of disciplines including Trail, Horsemanship, Western Riding, Ranch Riding, Performance Halter, Longe Line and, of course, Western Pleasure. Over his breeding career, Bo’s offspring have amassed over 19,000 AQHA points and earnings of over two million dollars.
The outstanding success his offspring have achieved, at high profile shows such as the Congress, will further his legacy as one of the very best stallions standing at stud today. One thing that the owners of these Congress winners have in common is their love for what makes their horse great and an appreciation and admiration for the sire, RL Best Of Sudden. While at the Congress, we asked several owners of RL Best Of Sudden’s offspring what they love about their horse. Let’s find out what they had to say!
Kathie Kennedy – Trainer – Im Looking For You – My love affair with RL Best Of Sudden goes back a few years. It was 2007, the first year that I won the Congress with an RL named At His Best who was owned by Mr. Sonny and Alice Douglas. This colt went on to become High Point NSBA Green Western Pleasure with Kenny Lakins. Since then, I won the Open Longe Line at the 2012 Congress with Best Ticket In Town and Reserve with Best Game In Town in 2013, both owned by Stanley and Susan Scott of Haylo Farm. These horses also went on to be outstanding riding horses. This year, Stanley Scott won the Non Pro with Im Looking For You, sired by RL and out of Im a Cool Robin. She is just a sweetheart to be around and train and not to mention drop dead gorgeous. She is one of the best joggers that I have had as a yearling in a long time. So as you can see, these RL’s are bred and built to not only be great yearlings, but great long term horses for the Open and the Non-Pro’s. This is what the industry needs and supports.
Susan Juroe – Owner – First N Line – I have always loved RL as a sire because of his offspring’s conformation, minds and versatility, but in APHA for whatever reason, there weren’t a lot of them. When my trainer, Shannon Gillespie, went horse shopping, she found First N Line with Reid Thomas and owned by Eric Mendrysa. He has enough white to be registered APHA and he was a great mover to build on. I love their quiet minds, beautiful hip and tight backs. Kenny is always in a great mood and very responsive to anything new. He really loves trail as evidenced by his high score and Congress Championship in Junior Green Trail. The RL’s seem to have durable construction and longevity and very little lameness. I’m so pleased he was available (for me to buy) in June, although reluctantly. We had to buy him very quickly before Eric and Reid changed their minds.
Alexandra Chavez – Owner – Bestseatnthehouse – The gorgeous mare better known as Jodi is a multiple AQHA World Champion. This year she won the Congress in Youth 15-18 Western Pleasure and NYATT Western Pleasure with Deanna Green. Jodi is beautiful and she knows it. She demands attention in and out of the ring, and she’s very personable.
Twyla Brown – Owner – Snap Krackle Pop – Snap Krackle Pop is a five year-old mare, and she is just the perfect horse. She loves to do her job with very little prep. It’s always fun to win, especially the Junior Western Riding at the Congress. There are a lot of great horses, and I feel very proud to have one. She is just the sweetest, very smart, loves treats and always wants to please you. Her barn name is Brandi and her favorite thing to do is take a nap. Brandi’s trainer, Blake Weis adds, “She has so much heart and gives her best all the time, but probably my favorite thing about her is how easy going she is. Brandi always wants to be doing something. She would rather be working than sitting in the stall. She may be the smartest horse I’ve ever met and she is very sure of herself.”
Cody Parrish – Trainer – Invest With The Best – It was neat to win the Green Western Riding on an RL since my dad, Bret Parrish showed RL Best Of Sudden to win the Reichert $100,000 Celebration as a two year-old. We have ridden a lot of his babies and we love them. Some people say they are lazy, but if you cross him with the right mare, the offspring will have a bit of spunk. They all are very trainable and pleasant. You just can’t force them; you have to teach them and go slow with them. The ones I have worked with have great self carriage and rhythm. They make great open and especially non pro horses because they are very dependable. Invest With The Best had a little spunk to him but still very trainable and had a great personality. Father, Bret Parrish adds, “I believe RL Best Of Sudden is way ahead of other sires as far as the number of foals born that have made it to the show arena. Some may be a little lazy, but I’ll take that over horses with lack of talent. Bo was a dream to ride, and I just had to stay out of his way. I find a lot of his offspring are the same way. They have a lot of heart, looks and talent and are very trainable, like their sire.”
Hayley Freeman – Owner – Suddenly Best Man – My RL Best of Sudden’s barn name is Logan and I love him. My favorite thing about him is his big personality. He’s smart, sweet, and silly. He also works really hard. Logan is one of those horses that tries his best for you. It was amazing to win the Novice 13 & Under Horsemanship, Pleasure, and High Point this year with him at the Congress. It was both his and my first time winning here, so it was even more special and exciting. One thing he really likes to do is lay down and relax and he definitely earned lots of naps after his hard work at this show.
Lauren Love and Momma Knows Best – I had such a great time showing Momma Knows Best. We call her “Myrtle the Turtle” because she likes to go so slow. I love her because she’s just so naturally talented, and it’s so easy for her. I was so excited to win with her this year. I won the Limited Three Year-Old Non Pro. She was also Reserve in the Green Western Pleasure and the Three Year-Old Limited Open. She’s just really fun to show because she knows her job and loves to go out there and show. Between RJ King and I showing her, she won over $20,000. She’s very sweet, personable and easy-going. Nothing really bothers her at all, but I’d say her name is very fitting, she always thinks she knows best.
Juliana Carlisle – Owner – KM BosHotInvestment – At this year’s Congress, we were Reserve Congress Champions in the Novice Amateur Horsemanship. We call him Chuy. He is the most honest show horse I have ever owned. It felt amazing to be reserve with him in the horsemanship. I felt like all of our teamwork had truly paid off. I bought him last December and we clicked immediately. I have never owned a horse that I was so connected to. I love Chuy because he is an amazing mover and so versatile. He has become an excellent all around horse who has the best attitude and is so fun to ride and show. He gives me his all, and I never have to worry about him doing his job in the show pen. He is an absolute blast to show. He is great minded and very laid back. He will however hide some energy every now and then. I have been around several RL’s and I absolutely love the line. They are such talented and level headed horses. I would for sure buy another one or breed a mare to RL in the future.
Mattison Love – Owner – KM Call Me Honey – Our daughter Mattison Love and KM Call Me Honey tied for third and ended up fourth under the tie breaker judge in the 15-18 Youth Western Pleasure. It has been a great year for KM Call Me Honey starting off with Brain Baker winning the 10K limited horse at Fox Lea in Florida. “Honey Bee” as we call her has the traits passed down from her father. We think he is the most handsome sire a horse could have. This is the first RL we have owned and look forward to owning more. Brain and Dawn Baker have had a lot of the RL Best Of Sudden horses and they encouraged us to look at this horse for our daughter. Her personality is the best as she will fall asleep in your arms. She loves getting brushed and loved on. She is so sweet, not a mean bone in her body. As you can see from this year’s record, it has worked out great for us all.
Ruby Lang – Leasee – A Sudden Echo – I was reserve champion in the 15-18 Novice Western Pleasure, Top 5 in the open 15-18 and then 8th in the NYATT Western Pleasure. It was incredible every time competing with the best horses and youth in the world and placing high up with them. Being from Australia, it’s a massive achievement. I leased Annie and have just finished my lease. She was a fun and challenging horse to show. She taught me a lot. I had never shown an RL before but I would like to again.
Livvie Van Lanen – Owner – All But Sudden – All But Sudden is my once-in-a-lifetime horse. We have won at the Congress in horsemanship, western riding, and trail, and have won all arounds at the Congress. He truly is one-of-kind. Not only do I show Stevie in five to seven classes at every show, but my step-dad, Rob Huver, shows him in two and Charlie Cole shows him in two classes as well. Stevie is normally the first horse to be ready at the shows and the last one to go back to his stall, yet, he never stops trying his hardest. Charlie even calls him Stevie Wonder. I love how well-rounded Stevie is. Not many people know that his first World Championship was at the NSBA World in the hunter under saddle. Since winning that, Stevie has won the Junior Western Riding and has been Reserve in the Western Riding in the Junior and Amateur at the AQHA World Show. When we bought him, he only did the under saddle and western riding, and we have turned him into doing absolutely everything. Stevie loves peppermints and has such a fun personality. Stevie is also very trustworthy. He is the same in the arena as he is in the warm up, and sometimes that is hard to find. I am so lucky to have such an amazing horse in my life!
Kaitlin LeBlanc – Trainer – KM Win With The Best
I showed KM Win With the Best (Chevy) in the three year old events this year at the Congress and we ended up third in the limited. He was one of the first horses I started riding when I began working at Masterson Farms, so, he is pretty special to me. Chevy is a total ham and always up to no good. He loves to show and has tons of expression in the pen.
What I like the most about RL Best of Sudden babies is their personalities. They are truly people horses. They love to be pampered, brushed, given treats, and being loved on. When they are that easy going, it’s just a better experience for people. I think that’s why a lot of trainers and non pros like the “Bo” babies. They just make such good amateur, novice, and youth horses. Plus, their looks and legs are proven to be successful in the pen.
Jenny Honey – Owner – SuddenlyOutoftheBlue – I won the NSBA part and was reserve in the Congress Amateur Ranch Riding. It was a thrill, to say the least. Kace has tons of personality, and I think he is beautiful, that’s what first attracted me to him. He gets better all the time. I was told at a show recently that he was the prettiest horse at the horse show. I love the RL Best Of Sudden’s – they are pretty, smart and obviously very talented!
Kate Grossnickle – Owner – Always the Best Man
Being Reserve Congress Champions in the Amateur Performance Geldings felt amazing. We’ve been leading the amateur and open performance geldings all year. So going into the class, I was just hoping “Jimmy” showed well for me, because I felt like we had a good chance to do well. Well, Jimmy did just that and showed great for me. I haven’t been able to show since June which can also be challenging. Jimmy is the most lovable and most affectionate horse I have ever had. He has so much personality, everyone in the barn and even in other barns always stop to talk to Jimmy or at least pet him. He’s very laid-back and willing. If I could bring him in my house I totally would!! My mom shows him now and Jimmy truly takes care of her, it’s fun to watch.
We would like to thank all the owners for sharing their thoughts. GoHorseShow also would like to congratulate RL Best Of Sudden and Masterson Farms on an outstanding Congress.
