The Goldenn Girl shines to Win the VS Code Blue/VS Goodride Maiden Trail Stakes
Following up on her 2025 AQHA World Show Pleasure Versatility Challenge win, The Goldenn Girl competes in her first trail classes at the 2026 Arizona Sun Circuit to earn another coveted championship.
By Delores Kuhlwein
The intent of the Pleasure Versatility Challenge at the AQHA World Show is to showcase the versatility of the American Quarter Horse, especially those expected to move on to all around careers.
Since the challenge includes a pattern class (with simplified trail and western riding maneuvers), a western pleasure class (which demonstrates their movement), and a conformation class, those horses naturally – and hopefully – will progress to those classes and more.
Photo by Shane Rux Photography, courtesy of AQHA.
It’s almost as if this past year’s Challenge winner was the perfect poster girl for the event; after winning the Pleasure Versatility Challenge in November, The Goldenn Girl debuted in Trail at the 2026 Arizona Sun Circuit in March, winning the $7500 Added VS Code Blue / VS Goodride 5 & U Maiden Trail Stakes.
“Blanche” is 2022 bay mare by Nothin But Nett and out of A Good Sweet Peach by Good Hotrod, bred by Bret and Candy Parrish of Pavo, Georgia.
Jesse Jones, who piloted her to the win at both events for owner Eric Mendrysa, says Blanche is a great example of the foundation of the versatility horse because she’s the entire package. “She moves well, she’s put together well conformationally, she’s very attractive, and she is a very, very nice mare. She’s great minded, very laid back, and she wants to be a really good trail horse.”
The stakes classes took place over a week’s time, an overall winner of three separate L1 Junior Trail classes, and Blanche has taken to Trail just as everyone had hoped. Watch one of her stakes trail runs from the show here:↓↓↓↓↓
The Goldenn Girl Shines in Maiden Trail at 2026 Arizona Sun Circuit
In addition, they won the Coast to Coast Breeders L1 Jr Trail, and the team tied for third overall in the $7500 Added Nothin But Nett 5 & Under Western Riding Stakes, which was structured the same way as the Trail stakes. “We’re very excited to show her the rest of this year,” says Jesse.
The feeling is mutual for Eric Mendrysa, who says he’s not only excited to have such a talented mare, but he’s also “excited to steal her from Jesse one day for the horsemanship and showmanship!”
See the 2025 Pleasure Versatility Challenge complete results and scoresheets below, courtesy of AQHA:
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