First, Erin Griffin rode Gotta Go Slo to win a very competitive 18 and Under Western Pleasure class. The Reserve Champion was Isabella Applegarth with Get The Sensation. Third was Olivia Eagles with Skyfall Sensation. Fourth was Samantha Stubblefield with Even More Sensational. Fifth was Lillian Woodruff with Gametime Sensation.

Today is Western Pleasure day at the 2018 APHA Youth World Championship Show and two World Champions have already been crowned.

Rebecca and Bob bested a tough field of seasoned competitors for the win tonight in a difficult pattern with required elements including an extended trot serpentine, extended lope, flying lead change, turns, and numerous upward and downward transitions. But where this team really shined was on the rail when Rebecca took the instruction of the announcer to “extend the trot” to heart, lapping most competitors. 

A routine longing session at the Pinto World Show turned disastrous for Catherine Goffard and her 15-year-old gelding, B Mister Machine. “Shaggy” tore a suspensory ligament in his leg, which effectively meant the end of their final show as a team.

A true equestrian, after analyzing both patterns, she actually liked her Reserve World Championship pattern the best. “I just wanted to go in and do the same thing. I actually liked the second pattern better. We had a two step in our one step walk-overs, but everything else was better!”

“I loved the flow of today’s pattern, how he came back to me, how he listened to me and waited for every change, and how he stopped and backed without me having to use my hand,” she says.

Two talented ladies claimed the top spots in Youth 18 and Under Trail today at the APHA Youth World Championship Show. Lauren Gralla rode A Sudden Legacy to win the class. She was followed in Reserve by Erin Griffin with Gotta Glo Slow.

Marla has been showing horses for five years, but just purchased a new horse, the stunning, 6-year-old, red roan gelding, The Red Factor, aka “Opie,” in January of this year.

“That was probably my favorite part. It was really great to win alongside a friend, especially a new friend who has welcomed me into the barn. She’s been really awesome with helping me out. It was really rewarding to win with her.”