Congress Champions in Amateur 2-Year-old Mares, Paula Bultema and Te Coolest Wish

For Paula Bultema and Te Coolest Wish, aka “Genie,” this was their second trip to the All American Quarter Horse Congress and their second Congress Championship title. Last year, Bultema and Genie won the WCHA Yearling Fillies class, and the pair came back again this year to dominate in the amateur division.

Genie is a 2-year-old AQHA mare by Te Coolest and out of a daughter of Noble Tradition. After purchasing Genie last April, Bultema has been hitting the show circuit hard, and is currently sitting in the Top 5 standings in the nation.

“There were a few tears,” Bultema admits. “This is only my second trip to the Congress. Last year, it was exciting with the WCHA win, so to come back this year and win the amateur, I’m just on cloud nine!”

Genie will be led by Chris Arentsen of Illinois in the Open Two-Year-Old Mares next Saturday. Then, the trio will be headed to the AQHA World Show in Oklahoma City. During our interview with Bultema, Arentsen took Genie out of the arena to get prepped for the Grand and Reserve class that will take place later this afternoon.

“Are we getting interviewed?” Arentsen jokes. “We’ve really hit the big time now! Remember to say that the trainer does all the work!”

Before Bultema stepped into the ring today, she says Arentsen had specific instructions concerning how he wanted her to present this mare to the judges.

“He told me to breathe, go slow, be calm, and get her set well,” she says. “Then, when the judges come by, show, show, show.”

In addition to very correct conformation and a commanding presence, Bultema says Genie’s consistency helped them to achieve the win.

“I think she showed really good for me today,” she says. “A couple of times there was a fly that came around her, so she moved her leg. But she is pretty easy to show. We have been having fun this year.”

Coming in a close Reserve was Shez Not Guilty with Joy Stehney.