Top Open horses and exhibitors found themselves in the limelight for a bit of extra recognition for a job well done at the 2015 APHA World Championship Show, which took place November 4–14 in Fort Worth, Texas. Based on their stellar performances over the show’s 10 days, the following earned coveted all-around and high-point awards at the show.
All-Around Open Horse & High-Point English Horse
I Got Em Talkin
After making a hard chase for elite titles at last year’s show, Dominic Destefano refocused his goals for I Got Em Talkin’s 2015 APHA World Championship Show.
“Our goals this year were just for ‘Buzz’ to have a good show,” Dominic said. “Last year, we ran him in the barrels, poles and more, but then didn’t quite get the all-around title. This year we really weren’t aiming for anything other than good classes.”
Paired with trainer Mason Lyon of Burleson, Texas, Buzz, a 2010 gray overo stallion by I Got Charisma and out of Fight Over Emmie (TB), took his World Show classes in stride. Focusing on core English classes—no speed events this year—Buzz earned a world championship in Junior Hunter Hack, reserve world championships in Junior Working Hunter and Utility Driving, third in Junior Pleasure Driving and fourth in Jumping.
When the dust settled, Buzz’s triumphs brought him to the top of the High-Point English Horse and All-Around Horse standings.
Owned by Dominic, who is from Edmond, Oklahoma, Buzz was bred by Deb and Eric Jarvis of Kaufman, Texas.
For his High-Point English award, Buzz takes home an M. Toulous English Saddle, courtesy SmartPak and APHA; $500 cash, courtesy APHA; Wellfleet Fancy Stitch Padded Halter and Nameplate, courtesy SmartPak; $100 gift certificate, courtesy of SmartPak; Equine Wellness Supplement, courtesy of Platinum Performance; 11″ x 14″ photograph, courtesy Larry Williams.
For Buzz’s All-Around Horse award, he received a Western trophy saddle, courtesy Blue Ribbon Tack; $2,500 cash, courtesy APHA; $500 gift certificate to SmartPak, courtesy SmartPak; saddle pad, courtesy Platinum Performance; bridle bag, courtesy Saratoga Horseworks; Equine Wellness Supplement, courtesy Platinum Performance; and a 16″ x 20″ photograph, courtesy Larry Williams Photography.
High-Point Exhibitor
Shannon Gillespie
Shannon Gillespie of Whitesboro, Texas, took the 2015 World Show by storm to capture the distinguished High-Point Exhibitor Award. The race for the elusive honor was neck-and-neck until the last day of exhibition, and Shannon came out on top.
Shannon garnered world championships in Junior Western Riding and 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle. She also took home a reserve world championship in Senior Western Riding.
For the High-Point Exhibitor award, Shannon received $500 cash, courtesy APHA; SmartPak Fleece Cooler, courtesy SmartPak; saddle pad, duffle bag and Equine Wellness Supplement, courtesy Platinum Performance; and a bridle bag, courtesy Saratoga Horseworks.
High-Point Western Horse, Oscar Crigler Cattle Award & Super Gelding
Lenas Flying Delta CT
Christine Lytle and Lenas Flyin Delta CT came to the World Show on a mission: to win the Oscar Crigler Cattle Award. It was a goal they started in 2014, though that year they finished third in the race. This year was different, however, and with renewed focus and the help of trainers Trapper Rodgers and Clay Logan, Lenas Flyin Delta CT not only accomplished their goal but took home two additional titles along the way.
Clay and “Flyer” earned world championships in Senior Heeling and Senior Steer Stopping, and Trapper teamed up with Flyer in Senior Working Cow Horse to add to their list of accomplishments. That was enough to garner 106 points and the Oscar Crigler Cattle Award, High-Point Western Horse award and the Super Gelding title at the 2015 World Show.
“We’ve always known Flyer was a special horse, but it’s kind of nice to get the recognition,” Christine said. “After this, he’s going to semi-retire. I’ll continue to show him in working cow horse, but he’s going to take it a little slower. We’ve accomplished what we wanted to do.”
For the High-Point Western Horse, Flyer received a Western trophy saddle, courtesy Blue Ribbon Tack; $500 cash, courtesy APHA; a duffle bag and Equine Wellness Supplement, courtesy Platinum Performance; bridle bag, courtesy Saratoga Horseworks; and a 11″ x 14″ photograph, courtesy Larry Williams Photography.
For the Super Gelding award, Flyer received $500 cash, courtesy APHA; a saddle pad and Equine Wellness Supplement, courtesy Platinum Performance; 8″ x 10″ photograph, courtesy Larry Williams Photography.
For the Oscar Crigler Cattle award, Flyer received $500 cash, courtesy APHA, a saddle pad and Equine Wellness Supplement, courtesy Platinum Performance; a polar fleece show cooler, courtesy Big D; a 11″ x 14″ photograph, courtesy Larry Williams Photography.
In celebration of their accomplishments over eight days of friendly competition, top Amateur exhibitors were honored November 11 at the 2015 APHA World Championship Show. Meet the Amateur all-around and high-point winners below!
All-Around Classic Amateur
Christine Weiser & Nighttime Sensation
Christine Weiser is no stranger to the APHA World Show spotlight—she’s been attending for 15 years—but this year’s success with Nighttime Sensation, her 2005 black overo gelding by Zippos Sensation and out of Bunny’s Crisis, came as quite a surprise to the horsewoman from Meridian, Idaho.
“I’ve always thought about winning an all-around, but I’ve always thought there was no way I’d win, because there’s so many factors that have to fall into place,” Christine said. “Your horse has to be ‘on’ the entire show, you have to have good rides and you can’t make any mistakes. Everything just fell in line this year.”
Christine and “Cole” earned world championships in Classic Amateur Horsemanship, Classic Amateur Hunt-Seat Equitation, Classic Amateur Showmanship, reserve world champion in Classic Amateur Trail and third in Classic Amateur Hunter Under Saddle.
Cole was bred by Lynn and Andrea Simons of Aubrey, Texas. He’s trained by Karen Qualls of Chino Hills, California.
For her win, Christine receives a Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; $500 cash, courtesy of APHA; a duffle bag and equine wellness supplement, courtesy of Platinum Performance; a bridle bag, courtesy of Saratoga Horseworks; and a 16″ x 20″ photograph, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography.
All-Around Masters Amateur
Coleen Bull & Timeless Assets
Coleen Bull and Timeless Assets are no strangers to the limelight. Earning their fifth consecutive All-Around Masters Amateur title this year, Coleen and “Tucson” collected world championships in Masters Amateur Horsemanship, Masters Amateur Hunt-Seat Equitation, Amateur Pleasure Driving and Masters Amateur Senior Hunter Under Saddle. With these titles, Tucson is unofficially tied for fourth on APHA’s list of lifetime leading world champion titleholders at 19 world championships.
“Tucson is amazing. I have a special bond with him,” Coleen said. “I can count on him giving me everything he’s got along the way.” By Frozen Assets and out of This Times Divine, Tucson was bred by Charlene Lee Maybury of West Jefferson, Ohio. He is trained by Garth and Sonnesa Gooding of Fennville, Michigan.
For her win, Coleen will take home a Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; $500 cash, courtesy of APHA; a duffle bag and equine wellness supplement, courtesy of Platinum Performance; a bridle bag, courtesy of Saratoga Horseworks; and a 16″ x 20″ photograph, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography.
All-Around Novice Amateur
Jill Silverberg & Send Roses Please
It’s been a while since Jill Silverberg has stepped foot in the John Justin Arena, but the horsewoman from Santa Barbara, California, returned in style, winning three world championships and the All-Around Novice Amateur title with Send Roses Please, her 2003 sorrel tobiano gelding by Gentlemen Send Roses and out of Bobbie Lee Zippo (QH).
“The all-around wasn’t something I’d planned—I’m only a Novice in Western events, and usually that’s not enough for the all-around,” Jill said. “But ‘Gilbert’ is a great horse and just did so well. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d win an all-around award at the World Show; it’s a shock, but an amazing one.”
Gilbert was bred by Mike and Belinda Morris of South Bend, Indiana. He’s trained by Roger Deromedi and Rod Safty of Wilton, California.
Overall, Jill and Gilbert racked up world championships in Novice Amateur Horsemanship, Novice Amateur Western Pleasure, Novice Amateur Western Riding and seventh in Novice Amateur Trail.
For her win, Jill receives a Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; $500 cash, courtesy of APHA; a duffle bag and equine wellness supplement, courtesy of Platinum Performance; a bridle bag, courtesy of Saratoga Horseworks; and a 11″ x 14″ photograph, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography.
High-Point Amateur Walk-Trot
Jeannie LIpphard & Instinctively Dirty
Jeannie Lipphard of Centreville, Maryland, had big goals on the agenda for 2015, which included making a run for the inaugural High-Point Amateur Walk-Trot title at the World Show. Paired with her 5-year-old sorrel overo mare Instinctively Dirty, Jeannie proved consistency can be a powerful force; the duo captur ed four reserve world championship titles and the overall high-point award, putting the capstone on a phenomenal year.
“Sister” is a 2010 sorrel overo mare by Sudden Instinct (QH) and out of Dirty Centerfold. She was bred by Gregg Reisinger of Eldora, Iowa, and is trained by Marty and Brooke Dixon of Dover, Delaware.
Over the course of the World Show, Jeannie and SIster were reserve world champions in Amateur Walk-Trot Horsemanship, Hunt-Seat Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle and Trail; they were also fifth in Amateur Walk-Trot Western Pleasure and sixth in Amateur Walk-Trot Showmanship
“The Walk-Trot is a great stepping stone for people who are moving up to different disciplines, it’s a great place for us folks who are over 50, and it’s a great option if you have a horse that doesn’t canter well,” Jeannie said. “I really appreciate Gregg Reisinger, Raina and Eric Parsons for starting her and Marty and Brook for finding and finishing her. This is absolutely a dream come true.”
For her win, Jeannie takes home a Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; $500 cash, courtesy of APHA; and a duffle bag and equine wellness supplement, courtesy of Platinum Performance.
High-Point Amateur & Open Solid Paint-Bred
Kristy Doyle & O Where Is My Spot
Kristy Doyle of Ellsworth, Illinois, just so happened to be in the right place at the right time to pilot O Where Is My Spot, to win the first ever All-Around Amateur Solid Paint-Bred award and the All-Around Open Solid-Paint-Bred Horse award.
Attending a conference for work in nearby Richardson, Texas, Kristy decided to extend her stay in Dallas-Fort Worth to compete at the World Show, too. “I was honestly just hoping for one world championship, not four and three reserve world championships,” Kristy said. “This is like a dream come true.” ”Jasmine” is a 2007 sorrel solid mare by Ollie Norfleet and out of Zippins Trendy Doll; she was bred and trained by Kristy.
The pair’s top placings include world championships in Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Pole Bending, Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Western Pleasure, Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Showmanship and Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Horsemanship, They were also reserve world champions in Amateur Solid-Paint Bred Hunter Under Saddle, Amateur Solid Paint
