Hillary Roberts/For One Night Only Win Amateur Western Pleasure; Kirsten Thomsen/Elis A Sleepin Win Amateur Western Riding

By: Brittany Bevis

Our Equine Chronicle Cover Girl, Hillary Roberts, was named the World Champion in Amateur Western Pleasure this evening at the AQHA World Show with her horse, For One Night Only. Hillary was the first to recognize what an exceptionally talented group of horses and riders she was able to be a part of this evening.

“It was very tough,” she says. “I figured it’s such a great pen of horses that I had to do something to stand out. The way that Rusty [Green] showed the horse in the Junior Western Pleasure was so forward and so beautiful. I thought, if I could get that done, then I would be really happy with the ride and the result.”

From the beginning of the class, it was clear that Hillary was riding for the win. “I can always feel when he’s going to be really good by the way he walks out of a standstill. All my transitions were how I wanted, and I wanted to maintain a real forward pace. He was so good. It was really push button.”

Although Hillary was very pleased with “Sid’s” performance, she still relied on a few of her good luck charms to help tip the scale in her favor. “I stood in the lineup in the same spot that I won in last year. I’m really superstitious. I wear blue socks on the day of the finals. I’m really weird!”

In preparation for the class today, Hillary and her trainer, Rusty Green, planned a two-pronged approach that included ponying and riding. “He’s such a thinker and a mental horse that it’s more about mental preparation for him than physical. Once you get in there, he’s so soft and pleasant, but he does take preparation, and it’s never the same.”

Hillary wanted to conclude her interview by congratulating the Reserve Champion in the class, Darvy Reeve, on the culmination of an outstanding career with her horse, A Certain Vino. Following the announcement of the final results, Darcy and Vino remained in the arena. They were joined by trainers, Ty and Karen Hornick, in addition to other members of their crew as his saddle was removed and his shoes were pulled to mark his retirement from the show pen. Everyone in the stands stood and applauded as Vino and Darcy completed one final victory lap.

Third place in the class was Sharnai Thompson with Rock County Kid. Fourth was Lacy Watson with RR Magical Moonlite.

Kirsten Thomsen earned her first World Championship title in Amateur Western Riding with her horse, Elis A Sleepin. Kirsten has been competing at the World Show as an amateur for the past six years and at the Youth World since she was fifteen years old.

“This is crazy,” Kirsten says. “I don’t even know… it’s not even real right now. I’m holding this buckle, but I don’t know if it’s mine!”

Following Jason Martin’s win with “Eli” in Senior Western Riding earlier in the week, Kirsten was feeling a bit of pressure. However, after a joint planning session, the pair came up with a  strategy. “We got a game plan going. I’ve never done that before, but maybe I should continue with that because obviously it worked out well! We went through every single change, and he told me that every part of the pattern is separate; the walk, the jog, the pole, the lope off, and every single change. Everything should be blocked into sections. Even though it seems like a blur now, I did do that!”

From the first moment that Kirsten walked into the pen aboard Eli, she knew he was ready to compete. “It was game on, and in a good way. He knew. His lead changes are so smooth. You can tell when he gets in the rhythm and in the mood.”

The Reserve Champion in the class was Sarah Orsak with Huntin By Moonlite. Third was Taylor Brown with Absolute Best Asset. Fourth was Angela Wade with The Perfect Kryme. Fifth was Darcy Reeve with Ima Petite Classic.