Congress Evening Western Pleasure Wins Go to Bryant, Puthoff

By: Brittany Bevis

This evening was all about Western Pleasure at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. First up, Brittany Bryant rode MM Emma Dressy for her Congress debut to win a tough Novice Youth 14-18 Western Pleasure class of 93 entries. Brittany and “Emma” have been a team for a year and a half now, and they currently compete under the guidance of Paul and Tami Thurston.

“She’s very important to our show family,” Brittany says. “She has been around forever and has always taken care of anyone who has ever shown her. She doesn’t have a bad bone in her body.”

“Every kid who grows up around horses wants to win the Congress one day, but I never thought it would actually happen. I’m really trying to hold back tears.”

Brittany credit’s Emma’s success to her flowing movement and ability to be consistent both directions in the pen. “She has a great amount of flow and consistency comes natural to her, and that’s what Western Pleasure is all about.”

This win was particularly special for Brittany because she was able to share it with her friend, the Reserve Congress Champion in the class, Ruby Lang, who rode A Sudden Echo. “Either way, it was going to be amazing, and now it’s a dream come true. I feel like this isn’t even happening.”

Third place was Kayla Budine with Consider Me Best. Fourth place was Ellexxah Ireland Maxwell with Willy Good Investment. Fifth place was Harley Huff with GW Jack Bar.

In the Two-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Stakes Limited Finals, Pasley Puthoff piloted Bestdippednchocolate to a big win for owners/breeders, Justin and Julie Voge. Puthoff and “Amy,” aka “Princess,” have been a force to be reckoned with at major futurities all year.

“We started at the Larry Little Futurity and tied to win our class,” Pasley says. “Then, we won the limited and intermediate at the Tom Powers Futurity. She’s really come together here; this is the best she’s ever jogged. She was a little weak at the jog, at the beginning of the year, but she’s gotten stronger as the year has gone on.”

Princess is by RL Best of Sudden and out of a mare named Gorgeous In Chocolate, who unfortunately passed away this spring.

The pair will also compete in the 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Finals and Justin will show in the non-pro division of the class tomorrow.

The Reserve Champion tonight was Greg Johnson with Good Like Jagger for Alex Chavez. Third place was Drew Debhur with Certainly Not for Knapp Quarter Horses. Fourth place was Brian Baker with Invite Only The Best for Susan Sancken. Fifth place was Clint Collingsworth with One Man Short for Kimberly Haines