Mara Clennon and Code Thirty strike Gold at 2025 AQHYA World

Mara Clennon and Code Thirty rode smart – and gracefully – Sunday at the 2025 AQHYA World Championship Show, winning the gold in the L2 Youth 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle.

Mara says her gelding’s name is “Virgil,” and it’s a very fitting name for him.  “He’s just kind of a cute little guy, and he’s an old soul.”

Their ride was good today, explains Mara, especially considering how crowded it felt in a class of 25 forward-moving hunter under saddle horses. “I’m really proud of our navigational skills; that was a lot!”

She and trainer Sara Simons have spent time on that particular skill this year, she says – ring strategy – and it paid off.  “I looked for my people to make sure I knew where to go. We spent a lot of time practicing that this year,” Mara explains.

And her favorite thing about Virgil is definitely his personality, she adds, which is perhaps a bit royal and prince-like. “He’s very funny; in his stall, he doesn’t necessarily want to be like loved on. He doesn’t like most treats, but he’ll eat stud muffins or carrots if you break them up by hand, but he will not bite carrots.”

Most of all, Mara is grateful for Virgil and for the support she has received. “I want to thank Sara (Simons) for all she does, and also Carly (Parks) for really stepping up and helping me out.  It’s awesome.”

 

Top ten results from APHA, along with the arena win photo, can be found here:

HUNTER UNDER SADDLE 14-18 – LEVEL 2 – AQHA

 

Complete results for the class:

L2 Youth Hunter Under Saddle 14-18 Results