Masterson Farms’ resident trainer, Casey Willis and two year-old mare, KM Suddenly So Easy (Penelope), peaked at the perfect time. A few weeks ago, this team was fourth in their debut in the Masters Two Year-Old Western Pleasure at the Congress, and they followed it up with a third in the prelims of the Two Year-Old Class at the AQHA World Show.
In the finals, Willis and Penelope, turned it up with a dominating performance and had three firsts and two seconds and ended up 58 points ahead of the reserve champion. This win was Casey’s first AQHA World Championship and is a very significant win for Masterson Farms and their stallion, RL Best Of Sudden. Additionally, it was a great class for the RL Best Of Sudden offspring as there were three RL Best Of Sudden’s in the Top 5 of the Two Year-Old Class.
According to Ken Masterson, she truly lived up to her name. “She is so easy to prepare and great minded,” says Masterson, who bred and raised the mare. “She has always held great promise. The mare has great legs and self carriage. Casey is also a superb trainer who has a great feel on a horse. He is very accomplished for his age, and I’m just proud of our entire team. Everyone contributed to our win.”
Thirty year-old, Willis, talked about his first AQHA World Championship. “We are just overly ecstatic,” Willis told GoHorseShow. “It is definitely a special win. She was a lot more fresh in the finals, so she trotted and loped better than she did in the prelims. I thought she was tired, but, after I won, Kaitlin and Blair (Masterson trainers), told me that she was prancing and snorting in the wash rack when they were washing her legs before the finals. Of course, they didn’t tell me anything about it until after I showed,” Casey says and laughs.
“I’m just so proud of them both,” says Kaitlin LeBlanc, who is an assistant trainer at Masterson Farms. “That filly is just what every horse trainer dreams about riding one day. Casey loves her so much and has worked so hard.”
According to the Masterson crew, Penelope has been a favorite of Casey’s from the very beginning and he immediately picked her out in the pasture at Masterson Farms located in Somerville, Tennessee. “I know a lot of people say that the current pleasure horses don’t move like they did when they are foals out in the pasture, but Penelope did – she is great minded and legged. I just tried to stay out of her way.”
Ken Masterson adds, “Casey and Penelope really have a special relationship. They are both fond of each other, and it is great to watch them together.”
Penelope was definitely spoiled after the class. “I gave her like half a dozen peppermints after her win,” Casey shares. “She is just so kind and easy to show. We really just had to rest her after the Congress to get her ready for the World Show. We are finally figuring out what works and how to prepare her, and come to find out, it doesn’t take much.”
We asked Willis what he thought about his finals ride. “There was a great group of two year-olds this year so anything could have happened. I thought we had a great go, but you never really know if you are good enough to win – but I’m thankful we were Tuesday night.”
The future plans for the mare is for Ken’s wife, Marilyn, to show her next year in the Three Year-Old Non Pro Western Pleasure Classes. Casey will also continue to show her in the Open Three Year-Old Western Pleasure Events.
We look forward to watching them next year and congratulate them on a great win!
