This evening’s Amateur Western Riding finals crowned Kirsten Thomsen with Elis A Sleepin as the World Champions. Kirsten and “Eli,” a black gelding by Too Sleepy To Zip and out of Vested Investment, scored a 233 to take the win. 

Today’s classes at the AQHA World Show have been dedicated to the Halter discipline. 

Terry Bradshaw was at the lead of Inexces to win Amateur 2-Year-Old Mares. The Reserve Champion was JL Robinson with Blue Ribbons N Lace. Third was Sarah Headley with Enchanting Intention. Fourth was Anita Wiescamp with BPF Guilty Secrets. Fifth was Ganelle Rivers with Existingsecretfinale.

“Everybody has had their turn with him. Now, it’s my turn!”

“When I look at her, she’s one one of those mares that has a lot of pretty. She’s not the most massive horse. She’s feminine and pretty. She’s really sweet to show. She’s got a little quirk; but, when you work it just right, she’s perfect.”

“Actually she’s quite talented in Trail, but she’s going to have an adorable lead change and her Western Pleasure is really good.”

“Hunter Hack is the introductory class. It’s judged 70% on those three jumps, so they have to be pretty, darn good. Consistency is the big thing. They have to canter well, and I have a specific look that I like. They have to be low to the ground, be real forward, and be really good with their head and neck. He’s got that.”

“I had some of my friends give me a pep talk and some suggestions, and I went out and put all that in play. I got my confidence and his confidence back, and I felt great about it today.”

This win marks the 14th time a Highpoint Performance Horses team has won Senior Western Riding at the World Show. That’s quite the reign. “If I was lucky enough to win next year, I would retire from Western Riding,” Martin says. “It would be nice to be able to end on the top. There aren’t as many horses that are as good as Troy.”

“He goes a lot like my horses back home. It was like a match made in heaven. I loved him. His ride today was soft and it felt like every distance was exactly the same. He jumped amazing.”