Seventeen year-old Megan McMullen of Norris, Tennessee had a phenomenal Congress this year with her two western pleasure horses. This multiple AQHYA World Champion had always dreamed of winning the 15-18 Youth Western Pleasure at the Congress and this year her dream came true.
Her horse, As Shes Walkin Away (Jewels) and McMullen took home the Congress Champion title in the Youth 15-18 Western Pleasure where she placed consistently in the top five under all cards. The duo is under the supervision of Gil and Becky Galyean of Purcell, Oklahoma. The talented mare is by World Champion sire, Blazing Hot, and she was found by Katie Green for client Ray Arnona, who showed the mare last year before the McMullen family bought her.
In the futurity classes, Megan also took home the championship trophy in the Limited Three Year-Old Non Pro on her mother’s horse, Blazing Moonlight (Moonie). Megan had three firsts and a fourth in this tough limited futurity class as well as placing third in the finals of the Three Year-Old Non Pro Open Class. Brad Jewett prepared Blazing Moonlight for the three year-old events. Moonie is by Darol Rodrock’s up-and-coming sire, Only In The Moonlite.
“It was definitely exciting to win both classes, but I had always wanted to win the 15-18 Pleasure because I think it is one of the most competitive classes at the Congress. There were so many nice horses in the class,” Megan says. “My mare, Jewels, is so sweet and she never cheats me. I thought I would do well in the class, but I never thought I would win it. It was very rewarding.”
Her mother, Carla, is also proud of her daughter’s wins. “Megan told me she wanted to win the 15-18 class ever since she was ten years-old. The mare looked really good, and Gil has done a great job with her,” says Carla, who is known as the ultimate horse show mom. “Megan really loves the pleasure, and she enjoys riding with Gil and Becky. Gil is a great trainer and easy to work with. Megan looks forward to showing the mare again next year with them.”
Megan adds, “Gil always has a plan for everything and is very organized. Everyone in their barn is great to be around too.”
The McMullens also would like to thank their long-time trainer, Brad Jewett for getting Moonie ready for the Congress. The family bought him from Tom Powers last year.
“The Powers were so excited for Megan and her success with Moonie. They were cheering her on at the Congress,” Carla says.
Megan says that it was a lot of fun showing her mom’s horse. “He is so sweet and laid back, and I love working with Brad. He is always there for me whenever I need him.”
Trainer, Brad Jewett, says that Megan loves showing, and he thinks that her passion for the sport shows up in the show arena. “As a horse trainer, her attitude makes my job really easy because she is a pleasure to coach–not to mention the great feel she has on a pleasure horse,” Brad says. “Matching her with Blazing Moonlight was seamless. He is such a good-minded and talented horse–all I had to do was my job because I knew Megan would do hers.”
GohorseShow looks forward to seeing Megan show her pleasure horses next year in her last year of youth and congratulates her on her wins at the Congress!
