April Gentry and Hez Simply Western Four-Peat L3 Horsemanship World Champions

November 11, 2025 | Filed under: Around The Ring Galleries,Featured,Show Results & Gallery | Posted by: Delores Kuhlwein

The Special Bond of April Gentry and Hez Simply Western

By Delores Kuhlwein

What does it take to become a World Champion in the same class four times? Not magic, or anything mysterious. For April Gentry and Hez Simply Western, a 2015 chestnut gelding by Dress Western and out of Simply Talkin Sexy (by Simply Hot), the biggest secret to their success is their bond. “He’s a special horse,” April says. “We have a bond. He pushes my buttons, I push his, but he loves to show, and I love to show him.”

Their connection was apparent once again in the L3 Select Amateur Horsemanship Finals Sunday night at the 2025 AQHA World Championship Show, when the duo earned a gold globe for the fourth time in the class.

When they rode into the arena for their final pattern, they seemed to command the arena. That is done, explains April, by trust. “You have to believe in yourself. You have to believe in your horse. You have to believe that whatever they throw at you, can manage and get through it. We aren’t always our best in every maneuver, but we just go out and do the best we can with what we have. And I’m really lucky to show a horse that loves to show. He loves to walk in the pen, and we love to put the pattern down.”

Along with their teamwork, they work hard together five to six days a week, and April is now also doing the reining, which she says is making her a better rider. “But Jay is such a special horse, and I spend so much time on him, but also listen to him and his body and what he needs. I just always want the best for him first.”

April adds that they’ve experienced some conflicts this year, but Jay always shows up as a show horse for her. “I just love him, and I appreciate Robin and all the work he’s done to keep pushing us to new levels and adding fine-tuning – and for believing in us.”

Additionally, she’s grateful for Jenny, the barn’s biggest cheerleader and April’s support system for the showmanship, which the team came back to win Monday night, getting gold in the L2 Select Showmanship Finals. “Everybody in the barn is very supportive and we all raise the bar for each other. That is what it’s about – enjoying the work it takes to perform in the arena when it matters.”

The wins were bittersweet, says April, because she lost her mom a little over a month ago, and it was tragic and unexpected. “It has been very hard because my mom and I were best friends and we spent so much time talking every day. This win’s for her, and I absolutely did everything I’ve done at this show for her. She’d be proud of us and cheering us on.”