The Championship Show 2026, APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic & The Spotted Cash Classic Appaloosa Show: Saturday, September 19

Ocala, FL – Saturday brought a full slate of featured competition to World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) as The Championship Show, APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic, and The Spotted Cash Classic Appaloosa Show continued.

The day was highlighted by the $100,000 NSBA All-Age Open Trail in the WEC Grand Arena and the $50,000 NSBA Open & Limited Open Senior Ranch Riding in Hunter Arena 2. Additional featured classes throughout the day showcased Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Horsemanship, Showmanship, and Trail competition across the three concurrent events.

THE SPOTTED CASH CLASSIC APPALOOSA SHOW

$5,000 Non-Pro Trail NSBA

Appaloosa Trail competition took center stage in Arena 5 for the $5,000 Non-Pro Trail NSBA. A field of eight combinations navigated Saturday’s course, with Chase Wilkerson and Brenda Wilkerson’s Rageous Thang (Rageous Blaze x Do My Thang) earning the win.

Wilkerson’s connection to Rageous Thang goes back to the beginning. “His mother, I showed her for pretty much my whole youth career. And the stud, we own him as well. My family, my grandma, owns him,” she shared. “We’ve raised him since he was a baby, and I’ve been showing him since he was three.”

Saturday’s course offered its share of challenges. “I’d say it was one of the more difficult ones compared to our World Show patterns, so it was a lot of fun,” Wilkerson said. The right-lead lope was one element that stood out, but it also played to Rageous Thang’s strengths. “That’s also his favorite way to go, so that part was fun. It was a challenge, but it’s also what he likes.”

Top Three Results:

1 Rageous Thang, Chase Wilkerson, Brenda Wilkerson
2 Straight Fire, Kelly Sweeney, Kelly Sweeney
3 Burning Monkey, Dani Davis, Dani Davis

$20,000 Open Trail NSBA

Appaloosa Trail competition took center stage in Arena 5 for the $20,000 Open Trail NSBA. A field of 17 combinations navigated Saturday’s course, with Nick Mayabb piloting Kelly Sweeney’s 2020 stallion Straight Fire (Colored By Charlie x UF Secret Potiential) to the winning score of 232.5.

The victory was particularly meaningful for Sweeney, as Straight Fire represents the last of a breeding program that has played an important role for her family. “This breeding has been so good to us, and I am a huge, huge Charlie fan,” Sweeney shared. “He looks so much like his daddy, so this one has just been really special. Really special.”

For Mayabb, the win came aboard a familiar catch ride. “Kelly was very nice and asked me to show him in this class,” Mayabb shared. “My game plan was just to keep him happy and do what he’s done for us in Tulsa. I’ve shown him a couple of times, so I just tried to recreate that.”

Saturday’s course offered several different questions, including elements the pair does not encounter regularly. “It was different than what we see a lot,” Mayabb said. “There were triangle poles and things like that that we don’t do very often.”

Trail has proven to be a natural fit for Straight Fire. “He genuinely loves this class. This is his class,” Sweeney shared. “I just started doing Trail a few years ago with him, and he was just like, ‘Yes.’ He has the perfect stride for Trail.”

$20,000 Open Trail Top Three Results:

1. Straight Fire, Nick Mayabb, Kelly Sweeney – 232.5
2. Rageous Thang, Heath Wilkerson, Brenda Wilkerson – 218
3. Zipposclassiccharlie, McKenzie Watt-Talbott, Morgan Balladares – 213.5

THE CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW

$50,000 NSBA Open & Limited Open Senior Ranch Riding & AQHA

Saturday’s featured competition continued in Jumper Arena 2 with the $50,000 NSBA Open Senior, where 14 entries took on the pattern. At the conclusion of the class, Shannon Quinlan Hill guided Debbie Kuffer’s EverybodysTalkinAtMe (Wimpys Little Step x This Chics Gettin It)  to the top of the Open divisions with a score of 248.

EverybodysTalkinAtMe, the six-year-old stallion, has been part of Hill’s program since he was two and quickly proved he had a natural talent for the discipline. “He’s been special his whole life. He has been so easy and simple to train. He is just a dream.” Hill shared.

EverybodysTalkinAtMe has built an impressive resume throughout his early career, earning multiple championship and reserve championship honors at AQHA & NSBA level. For Hill, however, the stallion’s significance extends well beyond his success in the show pen. “The sun rises and sets on him for me. He is the highlight of my life,” she said.

Saturday’s pattern required plenty of preparation, and Hill was pleased to see that work translate into the show pen. “There was a lot of prep that went into this, and he showed exactly like I prepared him,” she explained. As the pair worked through the more challenging portions of the pattern, Hill felt EverybodysTalkinAtMe remain connected every step of the way. “He was right with me the whole time, and I felt like he was having fun, too.”

That enthusiasm for competition is something Hill has come to expecthat enthusiasm for competition t from EverybodysTalkinAtMe. “He’s happiest at a horse show,” she said. “I think he loves it when everybody’s looking at him. He loves going on the road.”

Following The Championship Show, Hill and EverybodysTalkinAtMe will turn their attention to the Congress and AQHA World Championship Show. Looking further ahead, EverybodysTalkinAtMe’s first foals are anticipated in 2027. For now, Hill plans to continue with the program that has allowed him to thrive. “Keep it the same, keep him happy, keep him healthy, and let him do his thing.”

Top Three Results:

1. EverybodysTalkinAtMe, Shannon Quinlan Hill, Debbie Kuffer – 248
2. Sumac Gunnabeflashy, Bud Lyon, Leslie Vagneur Lange – 248
3. Xtra Wimpys Catalyst, Matt Gouthro, Erika Collins Sterling – 243.5

The Limited Open title went to Jennifer A. Burton aboard her own 2013 gelding Great Red Spook AC (Smart Spook x MS Red Pine Sue), with a score of 240.

 

$15,000 NSBA Maturity Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure

Saturday’s featured competition in Indoor Arena 1 began with the $15,000 NSBA Maturity Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure, where Michelle Monieth and the four-year-old mare Feeling Groovey (HayGoodlookn x Forever N Ever), owned by MNM Stoneridge LLC, emerged victorious.

Montieth knew Feeling Groovey was special from the first time she saw the mare as a two-year-old with trainer Casey Willis. “Casey was riding her, and I just had to have her,” Montieth shared. “I couldn’t love her more. Casey has worked really, really hard to make us a good fit.”

That work has developed a partnership Montieth can rely on in the show pen. She described Feeling Groovey as a kind and forgiving mare who takes care of her rider when it matters most. “She’s really tolerant. I get a little nervous, and she saves me; she is just very patient, really tolerant, and she goes with the plan,” she shared.

With their partnership still developing, Saturday’s win was another step forward for the pair. “We’re just getting started, so I can’t wait to continue to show her and do more at bigger shows,” Montieth said. Next, the duo will turn their attention toward Congress, where Montieth plans to stick with the program that has been working. “We’ll keep it the same, and Casey will keep chipping away at us.”

Top Three Results:

1. Feeling Groovey, Michelle Montieth, MNM Stoneridge LLC
2. Batmans Loping Lady, Tammy Raak, Tammy Raak
3. Cowgirl Take Me Away, John McNichol, Beth McNichol

$5,000 NSBA 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure

The $5,000 NSBA 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure welcomed a competitive field of four horse-and-rider combinations to Indoor Arena 1 on Saturday, where Nancy Wilkerson Ditty piloted the four-year-old gelding All Nett (Nothin But Nett x Just Cool Movin), owned by Ditty Up LLC, to the top of the class.

The victory marked another successful trip to the winner’s circle for Ditty during The Championship Show. Earlier in the week, she guided Forever Twisted to top honors in the $35,000 NSBA Maturity Non-Pro & Intermediate Non-Pro Western Pleasure before returning Saturday to secure the four-year-old title aboard All Nett.

Top Three Results:

1. All Nett, Nancy Wilkerson Ditty, Ditty Up LLC
2. Despurado, Kenneth Banks, Laina P. Banks
3. Batts The Way, Suzan M. Vonessen, Suzan M. Vonessen

$5,000 NSBA 3-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle

The $5,000 NSBA 3-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle returned to Indoor Arena 1 on Saturday, where Virginia Hamadi of Oak Ridge, North Carolina, piloted her own 2023 stallion Southern Therapy (Its A Southern Thing x RR Time To Step Out) to the champion title.

Top Three Results:

1. Southern Therapy, Virginia Hamadi, Virginia Hamadi
2. Every Minute Matters, Jennifer Carroll, Jennifer Carroll
3. Come Again, Gale Remington, Gale Remington

$10,000 NSBA 3-Year-Old Non-Pro & Intermediate Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle

Tali Terlizzi and The Queen Beee (Good Better Best x Al Eyez On My Asset) added another win to their week at WEC – Ocala on Saturday, topping a field of six in the $10,000 NSBA 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle. 

Terlizzi and Jackie also topped Wednesday’s $5,000 3-Year-Old Limited Open Hunter Under Saddle, adding another victory Saturday in the Non-Pro. The pair have been showing together since April, gaining experience at WEC – Ocala and the NSBA World Championship Show while preparing for the Congress.

Jackie’s consistency and responsiveness have become two of the qualities Terlizzi appreciates most about the young mare. “She has a great feel, and she’ll stay with you every stride,” she said. Terlizzi also enjoys showcasing Jackie’s movement in WEC – Ocala’s expansive arenas. “It’s a lot of fun to show in a big pen, especially when you have a good trotter like her.”

Top Three Results:

1. The Queen Beee, Tali N. Terlizzi, Tali N. Terlizzi
2. Willy What You Want, Sandra Morgan, Sandra Morgan
3. Southern Therapy, Virginia W. Hamadi, Virginia W. Hamadi

Virginia Hamadi and her own three-year-old stallion Southern Therapy (Its A Southern Thing x RR Time To Step Out) claimed the Intermediate Non-Pro title after also finishing third in the Non-Pro division.

 

$15,000 NSBA Maturity Limited Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle

The featured Hunter Under Saddle competition continued with the $15,000 NSBA Maturity Limited Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle. From a field of 10 entries, Cassidy Thompson piloted Sofia Roberts’ five-year-old gelding Kruzin In My 64 (The Krymsun Kruzer x This Is Why Im Hot) to top honors.

Known around the barn as ‘Freddy,’ Kruzin In My 64 came into Thompson’s life after she found him through a friend at last year’s Congress. Since then, his personality and willingness have made him a special partner. “His heart is as big as his personality,” Thompson shared. “He is just the goofiest horse. He would live in your house if you let him!”

That easygoing and fun nature carries into the show pen, where Thompson appreciates how willing and forgiving Freddy is. On Saturday, she felt his trot was a standout part of their winning performance. “He has a really great trot, and when he gets going, it is jually just great,” she said.

Following their win at WEC – Ocala, Thompson and Freddy will turn their attention towards Congress. For now, the plan is simple as they prepare for their next trip into the show pen: continue riding, keep Freddy happy, and build on the partnership that carried them to Saturday’s victory.

Top Three Results:

1. Kruzin In My 64, Cassidy D. Thompson, Sofia Roberts
2. In Pats Honor, Jessica Ann Kopp, Jessica Ann Kopp
3. The Company You Keep, Christina A. Shanahan, Christina A. Shanahan

$10,000 All-Age Non-Pro Horsemanship

Saturday’s featured competition in Indoor Arena 1 included the $10,000 All-Age Non-Pro Horsemanship, where Cassandra Ehrle and her own twelve-year-old mare Daddy Doesnt Know (Extremely Hot Chips x RL Saved By Impulse) delivered the winning performance to claim top honors.

Ehrle was looking forward to Saturday’s class from the moment she first saw the pattern. “As soon as I opened it before we came to the show, I was really excited to see the maneuvers and the challenges that they gave us today,” she shared. Preparation leading into the class went according to plan, with trainer Blake Weis playing an important role in helping Ehrle enter the arena with confidence. “I get really nervous before the horsemanship, and he’s really good about calming our nerves and making sure we’re both in the proper headspace to compete.”

Known around the barn as ‘Pepper,’ Daddy Doesnt Know has been partnered with Ehrle for several years, but Ehrle admitted Horsemanship has not always been the class where she feels most comfortable. With the support of Weis and her KRT team, that has begun to change. “Horsemanship sometimes is intimidating a little bit to me, but having the whole KRT team for the confidence has really helped a lot. I am starting to really enjoy this class, and this year has been really exciting!” Ehrle said.

Saturday’s victory also earned Weis the $5,000 Winning Trainer Bonus, adding another special element to the win. For Ehrle, the opportunity to compete for significant prize money in an all-around event made the class especially meaningful. “We’re just really grateful for the opportunity to come here, and having the money pay out in the all-around is huge. We are just so excited and grateful for the opportunity,” she said.

Next, Ehrle and Pepper will turn their attention towards the AQHA World Championship Show. Before then, Pepper may be enjoying a few rewards of her own. “Pepper will be enjoying lots of treats tonight,” Ehrle laughed. “She’s just such a good girl. You feed her all the peppermints, and she will treat you well.” Ehrle explained.

Top Three Results:

1. Daddy Doesnt Know, Cassandra Ehrle, Cassandra Ehrle
2. GoodgirlsFinishLast, Delaney Baker, Delaney Baker
3. Dark Ladie, Alysia Nielson, Mary Alice Nielson

$2,000 NSBA Color Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle

Christina Shanahan of Raleigh, North Carolina, rode her own 2022 gelding, The Company You Keep (All Time Fancy x In Good Company), to the champion title in the $2,000 NSBA Color Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle.

Top Three Results:

1 The Company You Keep, Christina Shanahan, Christina Shanahan
2 Up Against The Law, Sandra Morgan, Sandra Morgan
3 Howie Get So Fancy, Peyton Oakley Pelton, Peyton Oakley Pelton

$2,000 NSBA Maturity $5,000 Limited Horse Non-Pro Western Pleasure

Saturday’s competition in Indoor 1 continued in the $2,000 NSBA Maturity $5,000 Limited Horse Non-Pro Western Pleasure. Shellie Dalluge and the 2021 gelding Sudden Made (Machine Made x Peaches Smoothie) rose to the top of the class to secure the win.

Top Tree Results:

1. Sudden Made, Shellie Dalluge, Shellie Dalluge
2. Nothin But Kisses, Carrie Carpenter, Carrie Carpenter
3. Heza Good Venture, Micki Laney, Micki Laney

APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic

WEC $3,000 Masters Walk/Trot Showmanship

The APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic continued Saturday with the WEC $3,000 Masters Walk/Trot Showmanship. Sabrina Seehafer and her own 2019 mare SomethinToTweetAbout (Facebook Me x WP Candy Bar) rose to the top to claim the winning title.

Top Three Results:

1. SomethinToTweetAbout, Sabrina Seehafer, Sabrina Seehafer
2. OneFinalAppointment, Patty Douglas, Patty Douglas
3. Sheza Sudden Simon, Michelle Minervini

WEC $2,000 Amateur Performance Mare 

Thirty-three competitors brought their Performance mares to the pen for the WEC $2,000 Amateur Performance Mare during day three of the APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic. Rising to the top of the competitive field was Haley Sims, who showed Julie Sims’ 2022 mare Drivn Me Wild (Makin Me Willy Wild x DrivnWithMyEyesClosed) to the winning title.

Top Three Results:

1 Drivn Me Wild, Haley Sims, Julie Sims
2 Wake Up For Candy, Susan Juroe, Susan Juroe
3 Lovelee Vision, Patricia Zinkhann, Patricia Zinkhann

WEC $2,000 Amateur Performance Geldings 

The WEC $2,000 Amateur Performance Geldings brought 33 entries forward to vie for top honors. In the end, Maggie Griffin Book and Yeehaw Cowboy, a 2013 sorrel overo gelding by No Doubt Im Lazy x Huntin A Cowboy, rose to the top of the competitive field to secure the win.

Top Three Results:

1 Yeehaw Cowboy, Maggie Griffin Book, Maggie Griffin Book
2 Next Big Heartbreak, Karly Furnas, Karly Furnas
3 Shadetree Mechanic, Suann Illgen, Suann Illgen

WEC $2,000 Classic Amateur Showmanship 

Dawn Parker and her own Well Made (Dont Be Lazy x Machine Made) rose to the top of a 17-entry field to claim top honors in the WEC $2,000 Classic Amateur Showmanship. The pair’s victory added to an already successful weekend for Well Made, who also topped Friday’s WEC $10,000 Green Trail with Julie Schmidt.

Top Three Results:

1 Well Made, Dawn Parker, Dawn Parker
2 Definitely All That, Sabrina Seehafer, Megan Seehafer
3 Time To Solidify, Lauren Reamy