Wednesday Morning Champions at NSBA World Include Simons, Walker, Kennedy, Isbell, English, and More!

By: Brittany Bevis

Today’s morning Champions at the NSBA World Show included a few old favorites and some new faces. First, Brian Isbell rode Smooth Details to win BCF 3-Year-Old Ltd. Open Hunter Under Saddle for John Lorton and Buddy Henn.

John and Buddy purchased “Lacey” during her yearling year from BSB Quarter Horses. She’s by Next Detail and out of a Jack Bar daughter, Zips Smooth Sally. John showed the mare at the NSBA World last year to win the Non Pro Limited Longe Line.

“Once we got her broke out, we decide to give her time off and kicked her back out to the pasture,” John says. “Then, we brought her back as a three-year-old. We sent her to Alyse Roberts this spring to get ready.”

“She’s got such great expression and is always looking through the bridle. Her trot is really soft, and she can have a great lope. She’s got all the great parts that came together today.”

Later on in the show, Buddy will show Lacey in Novice Amateur Hunter Under Saddle, and then it’s on to the Congress.

Over in the other pen, Kathie Kennedy piloted How Do U Figer to win the Open Color Longe Line for Stanley and Susan Scott. Kathie has had this horse in training since the beginning. She brought her home from the Quarter Horse Congress when she was owned by Fritz Leeman. At the Tom Powers Futurity, she was purchased by Stanley and Susan Scott.

“She’s by How Bout This Cowboy, who Stanley and Susan used to own at some point, and Go Figer, who Stanley and Susan owned at one point. Also, I had her as a longe liner and showed her during her entire yearling year.”

Kathie describes “Monica” as a beautiful, great-minded mare, who is very natural in her movement. Just a few months ago, the filly won at the Tom Powers in the Open and was Reserve in the Super Sires class. She has also claimed several Reserve Championship finishes here at the NSBA World in Reserve Non Pro Color and Reserve Non Pro, to name a few.

A solid-paint bred filly, Monica will be headed to the Congress this year to compete in the Yearling Longe Line Futurities.

In the Hunt Seat pen, Jamie English and Shesa Hot Selection were named the Champions in BCF Color 3-6 year-old Open Hunter Under Saddle. The Reserve Champion was Keith Miller with I’m All Diva.

Following that, Janae Walker and Mito Been Me won BCF 4-6 year old Limited Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle. The Reserve Champion was Nicole Kuklinski with Sketchie Details. Third was Bridgett Downs with Al Be Your Sweet Art. Fourth was Larisa Affeldt with Hes A Dream Weaver. Fifth was Cydney Benes with Iron I A Legacy.

Janae has had her eye on the pretty, gray mare ever since she was a baby. “Dawn Baker has had her since she was a yearling, and I loved her since the very first time I saw her. She’s four now. Fritz Leeman owned her, and we didn’t think they would ever sell her, but they decided to this spring. I was the first call from Dawn, because she knew I loved her.”

“I had a show horse that had to be put down this time last year, and we’d been looking for a replacement. She asked if I wanted to ride her before I bought her, and I said, ‘Nope I’m good!'”

Last year, Dawn rode Mito Been Me to win the Level 1 Hunter Under Saddle at the AQHA World Show. She also placed third at the Quarter Horse Congress. This is Janae’s first big win with the mare.

“She’s a big pretty mare, and she’s consistent. I love that she has some much depth up front; but, in the hind end, she’s like a Western horse. She has so much lift up front that she’s fun to ride.”

Coming up next, Janae will compete in the Non Pro Limited Maturity, and then it’s on to the Congress and AQHA World Show.

In Western events, Sara Simons rode Sensational to win the BCF Color 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure. The Reserve Champion was Mike Massey with She Rockz My World. Third was Brad Out with Al Of A Sudden.

Stay tuned for Sara’s video interview!