Around the Rings – Monday, May 19 at 2025 AQHA West L1 Championships
The 2025 AQHA West L1 Championships, May 19-24, 2025, presented by the Arizona Quarter Horse Association, once again follows the Arizona Pinnacle Circuit (May 14-19), and it is a hit!
The climate controlled facilities, awards, incomparable arenas, amenities, and the expected AzQHA fun is resulting in another successful L1 West Show for AQHA.
Staff and officials are top-notch as expected, with judges Brendan Brown, Becky George,, Jessica Gilliam, Tanya Green, Brad Luebben, and Chris Thompson.
The first day of L1 competition saw halter, showmanship, over fence classes, and ranch riding.
In Monday’s L1 Amateur Performance Halter Geldings at the AQHA West L1 Championships, Delaney Davis and Martinis In The Dark were crowned champions!
We asked Delaney why she thought “Merle” stood out in the big class of 26 geldings, and she explains, “He has always been a pretty boy!” She has owned Merle for quite a few years, and even though this is her third L1 Championship Show, this show marks her first year attending as an amateur. Delaney says for this win, she has so many to thank – everyone in her barn, her mom and dad, and “my little sister who I share Merle with!”
View complete results for their class:
L1 Amateur Performance Geldings Results
Next up, Tyler Samuelson and Panic In The Disco won the L1 Amateur Performance Halter Mares, and this was Tyler’s second show – ever! We caught him off guard, as he didn’t know this achievement came with interview bragging rights. “This horse, Sophie, is owned by Kelsey Erickson,” he explains. We asked Tyler if he was a horse person already, or if this experience is new to him. “My wife has been showing, so it’s new to me,” he says. He might be hooked now! Congratulations to the entire team.
View complete results for their class:
L1 Amateur Performance Mares Results
Then in the L1 Youth Performance Halter Geldings, Emme Graves and Son Of A Sudden were crowned champions! Last time we had visited in with Emme about “Dez,” in 2024, she had just gotten him. He was already rather legendary in his own right, but now that they are a team, what is she loving about him?
“Honestly, my favorite thing is probably just how cool he is. Like everywhere I go, I get so many compliments about him and obviously I think he’s a really pretty horse. But it’s just so cool cause like every single horse show, people come up to me and ask, ‘Is that one yours? He’s so beautiful.’ It’s just really cool having him.”
Congratulations to this special team! View complete results for their class:
L1 Youth Performance Geldings Results
As the winners were announced in the L1 Youth Performance Halter Mares at the AQHA West L1 Championships, the final team out of the arena was Emma Spreeman and Livin Out A Fantasy.
Emma was all smiles, even though she says being left out there as the last one “was kind of scary at first because I didn’t expect it. But it felt really good!” She says Dolly is “very fun to show.” Emma explains, “She’s my sister’s horse, but she let me show her and I love showing her.”
Congratulations to Emma and her family! View complete results for their class:
L1 Youth Performance Mares Results
Next, Judy Bergner-Worrell and PlayNChipsOnThe Strip won the L1 Amateur 3 & Over Geldings, an emotional experience for the exhibitor! Watch what Judy and her trainer, Sue Kapushion, had to say about her first big win!
Complete results for Judy’s class: L1 Amateur 3&Over Geldings Results
Tresie Wiersma and A Daytona Machine
Monday at the 2025 AQHA West L1 Championships, Tresie Wiersma and A Daytona Machine topped a field of 41 teams to win the L1 Amateur Select Showmanship! Tresie was truly overwhelmed by the win, and grateful for all who have supported her to get there.
We stopped the video before she mentioned this important name as another person she’s grateful to: Tylor Harvill!
View complete results for Tresie’s class: L1 Select Showmanship Results
View the score sheets: L1 Select Showmanship Score Sheets
