“I knew that the mare produces good babies, but they’re always a little late bloomers. Actually, I didn’t think this colt would be as good as he is now as a yearling. I thought we were going to have to wait until he was two, but he started coming on pretty good.”

Back in 2013, Paige rode her horse, Cowboys R Hot, to win Youth Equitation. Tonight, she and now nine-year-old “Larry” came back to win again, a little older but much wiser.

In addition to Billy’s L2 Championship with Ecredible in Amateur Aged Stallions, the Franks family has had a great day so far. Suzonne Franks placed Reserve in Amateur Yearling Fillies with Say Grace, third in Amateur 3-Year-Old Stallions with Incognito Sirprize, and fourth in Amateur Aged Mares with Lookin For Romance.

“We have to check the records, but this may be the first time a horse has done that: won four World titles and all three Congress titles in one year,” Johnna’s husband, Travis, adds.

Leena Volmer was a bit teary-eyed this morning when the announcer revealed that she was the L2 Champion in Amateur Showmanship with her longtime show partner, Izzy Got It. “I’ve had him for eight years, and I will have him forever,” she says.

This evening featured a fun-filled night full of fast-paced Ranch Riding entertainment. Returning World Champion, Tricia Sarchett, dominated a challenging pattern aboard her stallion, Blazing N My Boomers, to win this year.

“You need to have a strong and willing horse this time of the year. They’ve been to the Congress for three weeks and been shown. Then, they’ve got to come home and sit for a bit. Then, they have to get ready again. It takes a special horse to get here.”