Rebecca Figueroa and Check Required Win APHA World 18 and Under Horsemanship

By: Brittany Bevis

Rebecca Figueroa and her fancy, 5-year-old gelding, Check Required, were named the World Champions in 18 and Under Horsemanship this evening at the 2018 APHA Youth World Show. The Reserve Champion was Caroline Nielson with The Only Kiss To Envy. Third was Talyn Smith with Its All Bhindthe Zipr.

Rebecca and Bob bested a tough field of seasoned competitors for the win tonight in a difficult pattern with required elements including an extended trot serpentine, extended lope, flying lead change, turns, and numerous upward and downward transitions. But where this team really shined was on the rail when Rebecca took the instruction of the announcer to “extend the trot” to heart, lapping most competitors.

This all-around team competes in classes like Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Trail, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, and Halter. Earlier in the show, we had the pleasure of interviewing them when they won the largest Halter class of the show, a 29-entry Performance Halter Geldings. In addition, they were named the Reserve World Champions in 18 and Under Hunter Under Saddle.

Special commendation goes to Rebecca for excelling in a posture-centric discipline so soon after having ankle surgery, which she had in February of this year. She just started riding again in May.

This team has competed under the guidance of Carly Veldman Parks and Wade Parks for the past two years.

Click here to read Rebecca’s interview for her Performance Halter Geldings win- http://www.equinechronicle.com/apha-youth-world-halter-winners-are-figueroa-long-chapman-larman-wright-and-more/