APHA World Champions Include Drawdy, Byers, Gralla, Baer, and More

By: Brittany Bevis

Having a knee replacement five weeks ago wasn’t enough to stop Susan Drawdy from taking home a World Championship in Amateur 2-Year-Old Mares with FG Charismatic this morning at the APHA World Show.

“I was a little worried about jogging in, but it went ok today,” she says. “After my knee surgery, I took Casey to Ted Turner the week before the show. Usually, I fit my own horses, but couldn’t with my knee like this. His program is very humane and regimented, and that’s what it takes to win out here. You can’t work a horse one day and then take two days off and then expect to win this.”

Susan purchased “Casey” from Terry Bradshaw after spotting the double-registered mare at a horse show last year. “She’s very balanced and has a snooty, little disposition. We get along well,” she laughs.

Reserve was Stylish Legacy and Laurie Roden. Third was Shes My Style and Melinda Minnis. The Intermediate winner in the class was Glamorously and Steve Ammann.

The winner of Amateur Yearling Mares was Flaming Cool Sensation and Larry Volkmar. Reserve was She’s Maybelleen and Anthony Bladen. Third was Red Hot N Style and Bob Cassata. The Intermediate winner was Very Cool N Charming and Tara Boulware.

The winner of Youth 2-Year-Old Geldings was Almighty Stylin and Bailey Umphenour. The winner of Youth Aged Geldings was Hes That Xcellent and Jack Herman. Winning Youth 3-Year-Old Geldings was Reese Byers with An The Winner Is.

17-year-old Reese led “Lou,” by My Intention and out of Mornings Verse, to a win that scored her $500 in scholarship money. Those funds will be put to good use when she attends Kansas State University to major in Biology and minor in Music. Later on, she hopes to go to medical school to become a pediatrician.

“I love Lou’s personality,” she says. “He’s so goofy and very chill. He’s like this all the time. Also, he’s so big. Everyone tells me that they think he’s an aged gelding.”

Winning Amateur 3-Year-Old Mares was Annette Schobel with She Stylistic Too. Winning Amateur Aged Mares was Bob Cassata with Red Hot N Stylish.

Lauren Gralla rode her accomplished mare, One Flashy Sensation, to win 18 and Under Hunter Under Saddle. Reserve was Huntified with Catherine Goffard. Third was Elegantly Fancy and Taylor Daniel. Fourth was Dirty Options and Ansley Lalone. Fifth was Johnny Zipper and Taylor Eller.

Believe it or not, but this is Lauren’s last year competing as a youth. The 18-year-old is currently studying at Oklahoma State University where she’s majoring in Sports Media. Her longtime partner, “Mel,” is fifteen now, and they’ve accumulated plenty of titles as a team. However, this is their first win in Hunter Under Saddle. Just yesterday, they were Reserve in 18 and Under Equitation.

“At first, she felt like she was going a bit fast,” Lauren says. “But, just the day before, Sara told me to change up the way I was riding her and, all of a sudden, it worked. She told me not to keep my hands up, but instead put my hands out and let her put her neck out. She was so good. I’ve never had a ride that good.”

That kind of last-minute switch up takes having a lot of trust in your trainer, which is something Lauren and Sara have, as they’ve been a trainer/student team for five years.

“She has taught me how to ride really well with my legs and how to be a more confident rider. You have to trust your horse and not just wait for the horse to mess up. You need to get to know your horse 110% before you go into the pen.”

“That was fun out there. Sometimes, I’m like a hot mess in Hunter Under Saddle, but that was fun!”

Winning Solid Paint Bred 18 and Under Hunter Under Saddle was Almost Time and Alison Bergmann. Reserve was Scandalous Catch and Cody Dulin. Third was Burnt Cookies and Bailey McCaffrey.

Reserve Champion, Cody Dulin, has only been riding “Olivia” for one week. He’s actually just trying this horse out for his brother, who has special needs and needs a very special horse.

“She’s a bit of work when you first start her; but, once she gets in the right frame, she’s a very pretty mover and very comfortable to ride,” he says. “She’s very tall and can move out. She has that reach for a Hunt Seat horse and she has that overall look and great expression.”

Later on in the show, he will be competing with his own horse, Invitation Only, in Western all-around events.

The winner of Novice Youth 13 and Under Hunter Under Saddle was MD On Call and Angel Baer.

12-year-old Angel and 5-year-old TJ have been a team for one year. This isn’t her first World Show, but her first win. “I was very proud of myself. I thought I could do it,” she says. This former Barrel Racer likes competing in English classes the best because, “It’s more hyped up and exciting!”

Coming up next, they will compete in Showmanship. Reserve in the class was The Peace Movement and Madelynne Alden. Third was Hes Double Platinum and Morgan Hobson. The Novice Youth Hunter Under Saddle winner was Candy Confidential and Emma Goffard. Reserve was Dirty Options and Ansley Lalone. Third was Johnny Zipper and Taylor Eller.