Thirteen year-old Gentry Cherry is the epitome of a true all-around cowgirl. From the jumping classes to the roping, this recently crowned AQHYA World Champion in the Equitation Over Fences, has all the classes covered with five different horses.
Currently, the seventh grader shows, Imasgoodasitgets (Dave) in the equitation over fences, working hunter, and equitation on the flat; Steady Spirit in the working hunter and jumping classes; Sky’s Blue Who in the hunter under saddle; and Dunit Again and Bar M Real Thing in the heading.
“I love going down to Texas and jumping with my trainer, Chuck Briggs, but, then, I love just going out to the ranch with my dad and brother and roping all day–it’s so much fun!” says Gentry, when we asked her why she enjoys showing in so many different events. “Sometimes all the cousins come, and, then, we get a few bets going between all of us while we practice roping. Then, after a good day of roping, we take the horses for a swim in the pond–it’s a lot of fun!”
Gentry describes what it was like winning her first AQHYA World Championship.
“I’m still in shock and will be for quite a while. It’s such a great feeling sitting there and I’m holding my breath when they are placing the finalists. Then, during the top ten, my nerves are just killing me, then, Top Five, I’m praying two more just two more. Then, when they get to third and they don’t call me and then he says second place and it’s not my number–I’m just like wait, what? I just won,” Gentry says and laughs. “It was such an awesome feeling, and my horse, Dave, is my best friend/child–I love him so so much!”
While Cherry does say that the jumping events are her favorite, she also likes the roping because she can go fast and says that it is fun to spend time practicing with her dad and brother. Even though she didn’t make the finals, Cherry did show in the heading at the Youth World with two different horses. Cherry also ended up tenth in the jumping and fourth in the working hunter with Steady Spirit, fifth in the hunter hack with Dave, and also showed in the Ranch Western Pleasure prelims with her parents’ horse, Mister Footnic. Her next challenge is to try the breakaway roping! Whew!
“I love showing because I have such great horses and a great horse trainer that teaches me so much, and my horse show family is the absolute best,” explains Gentry, whose mother, Molly Kehoe Cherry is a past AQHYA World Champion in the reining. “Especially my two favorite sisters, Jess McCarroll and Addison Kliewer for always helping me when I need it; they are so supportive. Thank you to my mom and dad for blessing me with all these amazing horses, and everything you do for me–I love you guys!”
Photos © Impulse Photography and Jeff Kirkbride
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