Megan Hogan/Al Bet Ur Two Faced and Tom Lukenbill/Because She’s Worth It Win APHA World Junior Hunter Under Saddle

By: Brittany Bevis

Over in the John Justin arena, Hunter Under Saddle classes dominate the schedule once again today at the 2017 APHA World Championship Show. First up, Megan Hogan won Classic Amateur Junior Hunter Under Saddle with her 3-year-old gelding, Al Bet Ur Two Faced, aka “Henry.”

As the final judges’ placings were announced and it became clear that Henry would be named a World Champion, Megan’s eyes filled with tears. “This win is very special, because we bred and raised him,” she says. “I showed his mother, Moons Fancy Face, and won on her [in 14-18 Hunter Under Saddle]. We just lost her a couple of years ago, so he’s one of the last babies from her.”

“He takes after her in the way he moves. He’s a little better minded than his mother, though. He’s super sweet and wants to do his job. He feels like her. It’s the eerie, weird things that he does, that she did, that reminds me of her.”

Assisting Megan with preparing Henry here at the World Show has been the tag team of Mike Hachtel and Brian Isbell. Megan feels it’s been a good match with their combined expertise of Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle disciplines. “Brian has been loving this, because Henry is by Allocate Your Assets, and Brian had Al when he was younger. He says Henry’s a lot like Al too.”

Brian showed Henry to win Green Hunter Under Saddle at the NSBA World Show last month and placed fifth in the class here at the APHA World Show yesterday. Later on in the show, they will compete in 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle, Breeders’ Gold 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle, and possibly Junior Hunter Under Saddle.

“We’re definitely keeping him,” Megan says. “We didn’t have a lot babies from Phoebe, so we’re hoping he’s going to be a long term project for us.”

The Reserve World Champion in the class was Alexie Estrada with Ventura Boulevard. Third was Andrea Foss with Moxie Machine. Fourth was Michele Ellis with ZZR Hez Rich N Famous. Fifth was Tracy Stenroos with It’s All In The Timing.

In the Masters Amateur Junior Hunter Under Saddle, Tom Lukenbill rode Because She’s Worth It to a win. Our readers might remember when this pretty mare was named the Equine Chronicle Masters 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Champion with Beth Case in the irons at the 2016 All American Quarter Horse Congress.

The Reserve Champion was Marcie Griffin Michaels with Gotta Glo Slo. Third was Jamie Bishop with Al Amony. Fourth was Janet Bruxer with Al Be On Time. Fifth was Cindy Snapp with Lean Machine.