2026 AQHA All-Around Amateur & Reserve All-Around Amateur
Congratulations to Kaleena Weakly, who captured the All-Around Amateur Award at the 2026 Markel AQHA World Championship Show.
Kaleena Weakly and Dun Gone Southern — photo by Shane Rux Photography courtesy of AQHA.
From the American Quarter Horse Journal:
The AQHA All-Around Amateur Award is presented to the exhibitor-and-horse team that earns the most points in three or more Level 3 amateur events in three categories during the Markel AQHA World Championship Show.
The 2026 all-around amateur is Kaleena Weakly of Shelbyville, Illinois, showing Dun Gone Southern, a 2021 gelding by Its A Southern Thing out of Ten Karat Romance by A Chance For Romance, owned by Josh Weakly of Shelbyville. Dun Gone Southern was bred by Mary Jo McMan of Stillwater, Minnesota.
Dun Gone Southern and Weakly were the 2026 amateur showmanship world champions and the bronze world champions in amateur performance halter geldings and amateur horsemanship. They also placed sixth in amateur hunter under saddle and competed in amateur hunt seat equitation.
This team is taking home $10,000, the custom AQHA World Show all-around amateur belt buckle, a Taurus Expedition 18-inch bolt rifle and a Lisa Perry bronze:
The reserve all-around amateur is Lane Kail of Cave Creek, Arizona, showing He Man, a 2021 stallion by Wimpys High Bid out of Lime A Rita by Custom Chrome, owned by Kail. He Man was bred by Laura Fourre Honstetter of Scottsdale, Arizona.
He Man and Kail were the 2026 amateur ranch riding world champions and amateur ranch trail reserve world champions. They also placed fifth in amateur performance halter stallions.
They are taking home $5,000, the custom AQHA World Show reserve all-around amateur belt buckle, a Taurus TX9 Full 9mm and a silver cup.
About the Show
The Markel AQHA World, Adequan® Select World and Adequan® Level 2 Championships are the premier events in the equine industry for amateur, Select amateur and open exhibitors. The show includes Level 3 and Adequan® Level 2 classes, as well as AQHA Level 1 Champion of Champions classes. The shows feature over three weeks of exciting competition, educational opportunities and a bountiful trade show. For more information, visit www.aqha.com/worldshow.
