Youth Mares Congress Championships Go to Mask, Carter, Jensen, Trahan, and Hamm

By: Brittany Bevis

Youth Halter Mares classes were at the top of the schedule this morning at the 2016 All American Quarter Horse Congress. First, Erin Nicole Mask led Why Not to win Weanling Fillies. She was followed in Reserve by Sarah Timmerman with Winning and Grinning.

In Youth Yearling Mares, Margaret Carter led Sweep Me Away to the win. The Reserve Champion was Tyler Shafer with Miss Delta. Third place was Sydney Ibarra with PSC Cool Array. Fourth place was Bradyn Burke with Shez Cool N Elusive. Fifth was Millie Landon with She’s Just For Show.

Cassidy Jensen was at the lead of BPF Cheek To Cheek to win 2-Year-Old Mares. Cassidy has been showing “CC” for one year now and the pair has had great success as a team. She showed at only two horse shows to qualify for the Youth World Championship where they were named World Champions.

“She’s like a puppy dog,” Cassidy says. “Also, she has a real big thing about itching. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, like we were just chalking her legs earlier today, but she loves to be itched. She’s the sweetest little thing, and she’s so fun to show. I think she’s one of the most fun Halter horses I’ve ever gotten to show. She stands like a statue. I only set her up once in that class, and she stood the whole time.”

When it comes time to retire CC, Cassidy has plans to breed and raise a few of her babies. “Oh, for sure [we’re going to breed her.] She’s not going anywhere!”

While Cassidy’s mother is here watching her compete, her dad, Steve, won’t arrive until tomorrow. “I’m sure he’s home dying right now!”

Later in the show, Cassidy will show her Performance Halter Mare, Chocolatey Special K, in Novice Youth All Around events. The mare will be shown by Jason Gilliam in Green Junior Trail and Junior Trail. Also, Cassidy has a yearling gelding, TF Headliner, with trainer, Dewey Smith, that she will show tomorrow.

The Reserve Champion was Carissa Holliday with Cool View. Third was Cara Kent with Interesting Memories. Fourth was Trent Searles with My Josette. Fifth was Tara Salmans with Sheza Starlet Hit.

13-year-old Christopher Trahan won 3-Year-Old Mares with Ladies N Lace, who is by his father’s stallion, Very Cool. This is Christopher’s second time winning a Congress Championship title, and he’s very excited that he was able to break “the third-place streak.” “I showed her at the World Show and we got third, and I’ve kind of kept that track record for over four years. We’ve been third, third, and third. I haven’t been able to get over that, but today I got first!”

Christopher says Ladies N Lace is a very easy mare to show, and she’s also very affectionate… that is when she’s not nibbling on the cuff of his jacket. “She’s always very relaxed. To an extent it could be called tired. I usually make a bird call, if I can, [to get her ears up]. She’ll become a little confused and look around to see if there is a real bird.”

Christopher currently competes under the guidance of a trainer who shares his name, Chris Arentsen, and he believes they’re the perfect match. “He’s a little less detail oriented, and he gives me broad directions that I can understand. If someone gets too detailed with me, I can get confused. He keeps it simple but not vague.”

The Reserve Champion was Kaylee Hamm with Cheers To Being Cool. Third was Ashlyn North with Terrakata. Fourth was Colton Smith with HR Lady Secret. Fifth was Trent Searles with Cool To Get Roses.

Then, in Aged Mares, sister power dominated with Kaylee Hamm and Monica Hamm taking the top two spots with Guns and Lace and Miss Kittee, respectively. Third was Lane Kail with BR Pretty Woman. Fourth was McKenna Gibson with Candys Miror Image. Fifth was Brianna Barnes with She’s Imaginary.

Stay tuned for Youth Performance Halter Mares and a video interview with Grand and Reserve Champions…