“I Know He’s Watching Us, and He Would Be Very Proud.”

By: Brittany Bevis

When Robin Robinett was crowned the World Champion in Amateur Yearling Fillies with KR Always In Pearls, her exuberance was evident as she got down with a little happy dance as she left the Watt Arena with buckle in hand. Not only was she named the World Champion in an impressive class of 18 entries, she also received a check for $2,500 for her portion of the payout in the Lynn Simons Memorial Halter Futurity.

Held annually in memory of APHA Halter Horse legend, the late Lynn Simons, the Futurity consists of three classes with $18,750 added: Amateur Yearling Mares, Amateur Yearling Geldings, and Amateur Yearling Fillies.

Robin is no stranger to winning at this Futurity. She actually won the first ever futurity class back in 2015 with a yearling colt named Cool Addiction. The colt has now blossomed into a stallion and stands with Matt and Erin Henderson, but fond memories of winning the inaugural class still bring tears to Robin’s eyes.

“That was such an honor,” she says. “This is the second time I’ve shown in the Futurity and to win it again with a yearling mare was very much an honor.” Although Robin wasn’t a personal friend of Lynn’s, having been an APHA breeder in her own right for many years she is well aware of the impact he’s left on the industry. “I met him a couple of times; but, for the most part, you sit, watch, and admire from afar. He was a true horseman, as are Andrea and his daughters. I’m very pleased they’re continuing his legacy with this Futurity. I know he’s watching us, and I think he would be very pleased with the progress that APHA has made with breeding and promoting horses with correct conformation.”

Robin’s partner for this year’s event is a new addition to her show string; the mare was purchased earlier in the week here at the APHA World Show from Terry and Stacey Kull. “We saw her last year at the Iowa Breeders’ Futurity, and she caught our eye. She had a lot of eye appeal. We knew she was with Dave and Brenda Kellerman, so we just kept our eye on her. It was one of those things that came together here at the show.”

Despite having never shown “Pearl” before, Robin was very pleased with her performance and turnout. “She’s very kind. She’s big, pretty necked, and has a great croup and hock. There is not a whole lot you can fault her on. She hasn’t been shown a lot, but she had a lot of great expression today.”

We wondered if Robin had any tips or tricks for capturing and maintaining that great expression in a yearling Halter horse. “It all depends on the horse. Some horses have earplugs in and so they can’t hear you. I carry an entourage of stuff in my pockets. I have combs, lighters, mints, spray, and Tic-Tacs to shake, and I make noises. Dirt is good! Trust me, you try everything other than standing on your head!

When Pearl is done at the APHA World Show, she will head to Kentucky to be placed in training with Andy Staton.

Those attending the World Show this year might have noticed a considerable increase in spectators, participation, and class sizes in the Halter pen. The increase was due, in large part, to the addition of the WCHA Breeders’ Championship Futurity and Big Money Futurity classes that brought an additional $165,000 in purse money. Add that to the more than $73,000 offered in the APHA Breeders’ Futurity Platinum classes and $20,000 in Breeders’ Halter Futurity bonus payouts and that brought Halter classes to a grand total of $315,000.

Robin has shown at the WCHA Futurity in the past and was ecstatic to hear they were coming to Fort Worth this year. “I think it’s great exposure for WCHA and Big Money. I totally believe in what they’re doing and their programs. This is a great venue for them. Everyone I’ve talked with is very pleased to have it here.”

“I think, with the APHA Breeders’ Halter Futurity classes, it opens some people’s eyes who maybe didn’t know this was out there. I think it has the possibility to generate interest with a lot of new people, who may have never been to the Paint World before.”

Robin and Pearl weren’t the only winners in the Lynn Simons Memorial Halter Futurity classes. Julie Smith showed Xspect to win Amateur Yearling Stallions and Lisa Maxwell showed Heisman Winner to win Amateur Yearling Geldings. Scroll below for more results.

Amateur Yearling Mares

1- KR Always In Pearls/Robin Robinett

2- Spoiled/Heather Olson

3- TNR Oh So Envious/Suzonne Franks

4- Her Intention/Clair Aycock

5- She Curls My Toes/Susan Darr

6- Shez Tel N/Dr. Mark Pierce

7- Predetermined Faith/Tammi Smith

8- Sweet Intensions/Karen Lonski

9- Impeccable Style/Bob Cassata

10- Extaci/John Mullaney

Amateur Yearling Stallions-

1- Xspect/Julie Smith

2- I’ve Got People/Lloyd Burgess

3- IEM Amazin/Kevin Hardcastle

4- Im The Dominator/Ramsey Berry

5- Total Venture/Bonnie Lassen

6- Phenom Kid/Tom Fagg

Amateur Yearling Geldings-

1- Heisman Winner/Lisa Maxwell

2- Ikona/Anita Weiscamp

3- Blue Intensions/Ashlee Lonon

4- LLR Hes So Cool/Edwin Baxley

5- Magnetism/Carol Schneider

6- Syndicated/Susan Anderson

7- TF Splashed Enuf/Caroline Tester

8- T For Texas/Laurie Roden

9- Every Eye On Me/Bennie Clawson