Congress Evening Western Pleasure Winners Are Roberts/Momma Knows Best, Winterfeld/VS Revitalyzed, and Lakins/RR Magical Moonlite

By: Brittany Bevis

This evening at the 2017 All American Quarter Horse Congress supplied a host of talent in the form of some smooth-moving Western Pleasure specialists. First up, Hillary Roberts rode Momma Knows Best to win the Maturity Non Pro Western Pleasure Stakes.

Although the Roberts family has owned “Myrtle the turtle” for the past two years, this is the first time Hillary has shown the mare. “This is my first year to show her, and she’s five now. She’s fun, but she makes you work for it. The challenge is good, and it makes it a lot sweeter when you do well. She’s so incredibly talented.”

Myrtle is by RL Best Of Sudden and out of Hot Little Momma. She and Hillary placed third at the Tom Powers Futurity, second at the NSBA World, and now first here at the Congress. “Third, second, and first! We’re moving the right way!”

“She’s a lot of fun. She’s got so much raw, natural talent. Sometimes it takes a little bit to unlock it, but she’s really worth the blood, sweat, and tears it takes, and it makes it even more special when her talent gets recognized.”

“I want to thank Andy [Cochran] and Katie for their tireless work with all of our horses. It’s so nice to be around this group of great people. I feel so blessed.”

The Reserve Champion in the class was Kristen Galyean with VS Lady In Red. Third was Abi Tuiasosopo with Lexus Made Lady. Fourth was Alex Chavez with Rock County Kid. Fifth was Linda Neece with For One Night Only.

The winner of the Youth L1 14-18 Western Pleasure was Asha Winterfeld with VS Revitalyzed. Asha is a newcomer to the Western Pleasure scene. She’s actually a hard core gamer who had never been to the Congress, or even heard of it for that matter, until a few weeks ago.

“My family is into game horses, Roping, and Cutting. Then, my Dad told us he bought this horse. We went to check it out, and it was a Western Pleasure horse. We started training off and on. Then, she had a baby. It’s a yearling. About a month ago, they told me we were going to the Congress. I said, ‘I have no idea what that is, but alright!'”

Assisting this Barrel Racer with the transition to Western Pleasure are Jeff Cochran and Erin Lieurance. She’s been training with them for five weeks and already feels like she’s learned a lot about this new discipline. We wondered if this taste of success in the Western Pleasure pen might mean Asha has caught the Western Pleasure bug… “I think I have! The Congress is crazy, but I absolutely love it.”

Because Asha is 19, this is her final year in the youth division. Next year, she will be an amateur, and she’s looking forward to competing more in Western Pleasure. “It’s completely opposite of Barrel Racing, but honestly I think it helped my riding. I already knew how to keep my body still at a super fast speed, so now my legs are super strong from turn and burn and tight pole weaving. That’s really helped me.”

The Reserve Champion in the class was Jordan Davis with Lazy Illusion. Third was Taylor Leone with Sleepin In On Sunday. Fourth was Lillian Woodruff with Sleepinwithmybootson. Fifth was Reid Bear with Hunting The Dream.

Finally, Kenny Lakins rode RR Magical Moonlite to win the Maturity Open Western Pleasure and a $3,012.78 check for owners Debbie and Dennis Martin.

“We had him all last year, and they came back to us about two months ago. We missed him, especially my wife!”

Mouse is five years old now and is certainly making a name for himself in the junior age division. Last year, Ashley Lakins rode the gelding to a win in Junior Western Pleasure at the Congress and the AQHA World Show. But, this is the first time that Kenny has ever showed the horse, himself. “I showed him in the first go, and that was my third ride!” Kenny laughs. “To be honest, he’s so smooth and so soft. He’s really easy to ride.”

Coming up next, Kenny hopes to show Mouse at the AQHA World Show. But before he leaves the Congress, watch for him to make an appearance with the Martin’s granddaughter in Youth Western Pleasure.