Congress Queen Wave and Victory Lap For Ashley Rytman and Moves Like Cattwoman in Small Fry Western Pleasure

By: Brittany Bevis

Ashley Rytman showed off some pretty impressive moves this evening during the finals of the Small Fry Western Pleasure, as did her equine partner, Moves Like Cattwoman, aka “Lola.” It may have been Ashley’s first time competing at the Quarter Horse Congress, and her first time showing Lola; however, she seemed like a veteran as she did a victory lap, while doing the most adorable version of a Congress Queen wave.

We chatted with Ashley and Lola following their class as they celebrated with trainers, Rosie and Brent Sheffer, and Lola’s owner, Katerina Mendel. “Lola is my friend’s horse, and she’s four years old,” Ashley says. “This was my first time showing her. I was super excited and nervous.”

“She told me, in the line up, that she would just be happy for Top Ten,” Rosie adds.

Ashley has been riding horses for three years, and this is her first time competing at a major event like the All American Quarter Horse Congress. As a relatively newbie to the sport, we wondered how Ashley has the Congress Queen wave down to perfection… The answer is simple: Ashley is a princess!

“I’m the Michigan Quarter Horse Association Princess,” she says. “A lot of different girls sign up to do it. Then, you have to do a pattern on a horse and they ask you lots of questions.”

Although she didn’t have to answer any questions for tonight’s class, Ashley did have to compete in three tough cuts and a finals in order to make it to the Top Ten and ultimately come out on top. Since it’s her first year at the Congress, we wondered if she was feeling any nerves. “To be honest, nerves are just energy, and if you aren’t nervous you will be a great rider.”

Earlier in the show, Ashley competed with her other horse, Hurtin For Certain, aka “Winston,” and placed seventh in Trail and seventh in Horsemanship. Coming up next they have Equitation and Hunter Under Saddle.

The Reserve Champion was Emma Gore with He’s Suddenly Handsom. Third place was Addison Hubbard with Nature Investment. Fourth was Sadie Ross with Miss AOK Bo Acres. Fifth was Isabella Buckley with Slo Loco Motion. Sixth place was Paige Smith with Chocolate On Cruise. Seventh was Alexander Ervin with Backseat Romance. Eighth was Landen Tingle with Zippy Old Scotch. Ninth was Abigail Eagle with He’s On Holiday. Tenth was Austin Mahoney with Little Bit Of Rodder.