Congratulations to Jay Starnes and Won Lopin RV Machine, winner of the Equine Sports Medicine Two Year Old Western Pleasure Challenge. This talented two year-old is owned by Ronnie and Vickie Kent of Graceville, Florida.
Starnes brought home a check for $100,000 and this chestnut gelding by A Good Machine is the eighth horse to have won this prestigious event. This year is the 13th Anniversary of the Reichert Celebration, and this is Starnes’ third time in a row to win this event.
When asked what Starnes thought about winning this class three times in a row, he says, “I think we are all still shocked to be totally honest. It just has not even sunk in yet. The first time was incredible, the second time was even better as it was a colt that my parents bred and raised but we never thought three in a row would be possible,” Jay Starnes told GoHorseShow. “We knew we had a great horse but you never know how the horses will perform on a maiden ride. We are so thankful to everyone… Ronnie and Vickie Kent for trusting us with Spiderman, our friends and family for their support, and to the Reichert Celebration for making Saturday night what it was…Yet again!”
The Reserve Championship went to Patrick Heeley riding Certainly A Goodbar.
CLICK HERE to view a slide show of the Top-10 placings and some candids from the event. Thanks to Dasi for the fabulous pictures.
The judges for the class came riding in on a stagecoach which included Mike Hawkins, Tammy Lickliter, Jeff Mellott, and Margo Ball.
This event is being held in Fort Worth, Texas for the first time this year and this class is a premiere showcase for two year-olds that have not been showed under saddle prior to this event. Only slot owners are permitted to nominate horses for this event. There were 37 horses nominated for this event, and 17 horses that actually showed in the class. There is also an extra $220,000 bonus possible if the horse that wins was sold at the Reichert Yearling Sale the year before. Quite an opportunity available to the horses and riders.
The sponsors of the Two-Year Old Signature Class, the Equine Sports Medicine veterinarians, started off the night by riding in on Texas Longhorns. Janet Brooks, who we featured in an article earlier this week, sang the National Anthem before the start of the class. Seventeen riders were introduced that competed in the class with two cuts and a final– including the only two-time winner, Jay Starnes, inaugural winner, Bret Parrish, Gil Galyean, Shannon Curl, Karen Hornick, Rusty Green, and Steve Heckaman to name a few. Singer Denny Strickland also entertained the crowd.
2011 Final Placings
1st—134–Won Lopin RV Machine–Jay Starnes
2nd–203–Certainly A Goodbar–Patrick Heeley
3rd–125–Movin The Chains–Bret Parrish
4th–141–Time Is Lopin By–Randy Wilson
5th–101–RR Time To Step Out– Jill Stafford
6th–207–I Am Worth The Wait–Stephen Stephens
7th–210–Shesa Cookie Leaguer–Rusty Green
8th–132 –Kisses and Scotch–Kenny Lakins
9th–130–Outta Ur Price Range–Shirley Roth
10th–143–RR Moonlite Ray–Jeff Long
11th–110–Born With Luck–Katy Jo Davis
12th–128–Vitals Are Good–Kristin Klimmek
13th–209–Elvis On Impulse–Karen Hornick
14th–211–TL Smoking Machine–Steve Heckaman
Equine Sports Medicine Top Riders through 2010
Jay Starnes $225,000
Gil Galyean $129,500
Keith Whistle $115,000
Bret Parrish $112,500
Katy Jo Pickard $106,500
Stanley Ryan $100,000
