The 2020 AQHYA World Show is a wrap, and GoHorseShow Photographer Danielle Long has captured several special moments from the show. It has been an unusual year with the COVID-19 Pandemic, but the AQHYA World Show was one of the championships that was allowed to continue as scheduled. Everyone could be seen sporting masks to help prevent the spread.
The Level 1 Championships, which were postponed earlier this year, took place and ran concurrently with the world show in Oklahoma City. It’s the first time the Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Youth Championships have been together in one event.
Some of the highlights of the show included Sydnie Ochs and No Doubting Me winning the Level 3 – 14-18 Western Pleasure for the second year in a row. Ochs dedicated her ride to Duane Piper, and it was an emotional win for her. Emma Grace Gore also won the Level 3 – 13&U Horsemanship for the second year in a row.
What was so impressive about this win was that it was on two different horses. Last year, Gore won on her horse, My Only Good Shoes, but unfortunately, she passed away. Late last year, the Gore Family gelded their 16-year-old buckskin stallion for Emma to show, and despite limited time together, this new team won the horsemanship in demanding fashion.
In the salty Level 3-14-18 Horsemanship, Hanna Olaussen, and Wearin Only Moonlite won the class unanimously with a gorgeous pattern featuring several different transitions. It was their first world championship.
There were other repeat wins, including Lane Kail and A Good N Hot Machine. They won the 13&U Western Pleasure again this year as well as Caroline Nielson and TheOnlyKissToEnvy winning the Level 3-14-18 Western Riding for the second straight year.
Earlier in the show, JoJo Roberson and Greedy Ghost won their first world championship in the Level 3 – 14-18 Showmanship. Jojo tried to ride her horse bareback for her victory lap, but let’s say polyester pants and show sheen don’t go well together. She hit the dirt, but all was okay, and she laughed it off.
Another big highlight is Nya Kearns and BMG Stop For Traffic on being the unanimous winners of the Level 3 – 14-18 Equitation. Last year they also won it under all five judges. Nya had won this class three times, her first as a 13&U when it was still an all-age class.
Speaking of multiple repeats – it was a three-peat for Trent Searles and Shes That Radiant who won the halter mares class for the third straight year – Three-Year-Old Mares this year, Two-Year-Old Mares last year and Yearling Mares in 2018.
Despite the challenges this year, it was a great AQHYA World Show. Until next year!
CLICK HERE to view the VS GoodRide Candids kindly taken by Danielle Long.
