Terry and 13-year-old “Promise” went 49th in the draw, so they had quite a long wait to see if their score of 243.5 would hold up. It did, but the race was close at the very end. Jennifer Paul rode Some Hot Potential to come in Reserve, just a half point shy of the leader’s position.

“I sing a song in my head when I show, and it’s the same one. It’s Zac Brown Band’s Quiet Your Mind. It’s got a good one-two beat, and I sing it to myself. It’s got a good little build to it, so when I did my gallop, I was singing that part to myself and hearing the drums in my head. I try to stay in my head and not worry about what’s going on everywhere else.”

“It was the very last horse!” she says. “We were sitting first and second and then Carly went and had a killer go. I’m so happy. I would’ve been fine if I was second, third, or fifteenth.”

In the Amateur Showmanship, Tony Anderman led Solo Invested to a big win. Tony and his 14-year-old gelding have won at the AQHA World Show and the NSBA World Show, but this is their first win at the Congress, completing their trifecta.

For most of her career, Anne has competed in 4-H, and this is her first year showing at Quarter Horse shows. 

The Clint Ainsworth clan had a spectacular morning today at the Quarter Horse Congress. Two of Clint’s ladies, Alexis Potts and Kaylee Swanigan, were named Congress Champions in their respective Showmanship classes.

“I wanted to prove to myself, and to everyone else, that I can win on a green horse. Sterling taught me everything I know, but I can do it on a green horse too.”

“He’s off the beaten path with the way he’s bred [CR Golden Nugget] , and he hasn’t been shown that much. We really like the way he’s made. He’s pretty scopey. He’s very mature and pretty faced. He has a lot to him. He has good size and good legs. There’s really not a whole lot you can find wrong with him.”