In celebration of their accomplishments in the arena, five top Amateur exhibitors were honored November 9 at the 2016 APHA World Championship Show. Meet the Amateur all-around and high-point winners, and read their full stories—along with complete coverage of the World Show—in the January 2017 Paint Horse Journal. Subscribe, renew or extend your PHJ subscription today to make sure you don’t miss these great articles.
All-Around Classic Amateur—Christine Weiser & Nighttime Sensation
After the 2015 APHA World Championship Show, Christine Weiser of Meridian, Idaho, was walking on cloud nine. It was a dream show for the veteran horsewoman, winning a trio of world championships and netting her first-ever all-around award.
“Last year was just such a magical year,” Christine said. “I didn’t think there was any way we could do it again, so I decided I was just going to have fun.”
With the goal of good rides and enjoying the moment in mind, Christine and Nighttime Sensation consistently found their way to the top of class placings. In addition to defending their Classic Amateur Hunt-Seat Equitation and Western Horsemanship titles, Christine and “Cole” earned Top Fives in Classic Amateur Western Riding, Classic Amateur Senior Hunter Under Saddle and Classic Amateur Showmanship, along with a Top 10 in Classic Amateur Trail.
A 2005 black overo gelding, Cole was sired by Zippos Sensation and is out of Bunny’s Crisis (TB); he was bred by Lynn and Andrea Simons of Aubrey, Texas.
The Reserve All-Around Classic Amateur award went to Peyton Weldon of Magnolia, Texas, and Big Expectations, a 2007 sorrel overo gelding by The Big Sensation and out of Expectations Of Gold (QH).
Coleen Bull and Timeless Assets pulled out all the stops this year, earning their sixth consecutive All-Around Masters Amateur title. Coleen and “Tucson” accumulated world championships in Masters Amateur Hunter Under Saddle, Masters Amateur Horsemanship and Masters Amateur Hunt-Seat Equitation as well as reserve world championships in Amateur Pleasure Driving and Masters Amateur Showmanship.By Frozen Assets and out of This Times Divine, Tucson was bred by Charlene Lee Streator of West Jefferson, Ohio. He is trained by Garth, Sonnesa and Austin Gooding of Fennville, Michigan.
The Reserve All-Around Masters Amateur award went to Melissa Haberkorn of Beaufort, South Carolina, and VR Knockyour Socksoff, a 1999 sorrel overo gelding by VR Legend and out of Jets Jenni.
All-Around Novice Amateur—Christi Christensen & I Got Em Talkin
I Got Em Talkin had the Paint world abuzz after clinching two top Open titles at the 2015 APHA World Championship Show. This year, the amicable “Buzz” teamed up with Christi Christensen of Aubrey, Texas, to expand his versatility and take on the Novice Amateur division.
Despite Buzz’s packed schedule of Open events, he and Christi soared over fences—and their competition—to earn world championships in Novice Amateur Equitation Over Fences and Hunter Hack, along with a reserve world championship in Novice Amateur Working Hunter. Early success in the over-fences classes helped the duo maintain their lead for the all-around title throughout the duration of the show.
Buzz is a 2010 gray overo stallion by I Got Charisma and out of Fight Over Emmie (TB); he was bred by Deb and Eric Jarvis of Kaufman, Texas; he is owned by Dominic Destefano of Edmond, Oklahoma, and leased by Christi.
The Reserve All-Around Novice Amateur award went to Carlee Christian of Trophy Club, Texas, and Too Much Blush, a 2010 sorrel overo mare by Almost Too Fancy and out of Mood To Yodel (TB).
High-Point Walk-Trot—Sabrina Seehafer & All That I Got
Sabrina Seehafer of Jefferson City, Missouri, and her sister, Megan, share a love of horses and showing. It was only natural, then, that the duo doubled up while Sabrina’s horse spent 2016 out of commission. While Megan competed aboard All That I Got in Classic Amateur events, Sabrina and “Fergie” rocked the Amateur Walk-Trot division, picking up world championships in the division’s trail, showmanship and hunt-seat equitation classes. The showmanship win—another shared love between sisters—was especially sweet, Sabrina says.
A staunch supporter of the Walk-Trot Division and its inclusion at the World Show, Sabrina invites her fellow exhibitors to test the waters in Fort Worth.
“If the World Show is on your bucket list, dream big and come try it,” she said. “You never know how you’ll do—I had no idea I’d have this much success this year.”
Fergie is a 2009 sorrel overo mare by All Time Fancy and out of Classactimpressed; she was bred by Joseph Murphy of Park Ridge, Illinois.
The Reserve High-Point Amateur Walk-Trot award went to Lynise Marshall of Montgomery, Texas, and A Western Sensation, a 2007 sorrel overo gelding by Zippos Sensation and out of A Passing Fancy.
All-Around Amateur Solid Paint-Bred—Jesse Lambourn & Invite Beth
Jesse Lambourn of Watford, Ontario, and Invite Beth made a stellar Amateur debut, earning the Amateur All-Around Solid Paint-Bred title. Jesse and “Beth” earned a world championship in Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Showmanship as well as Top Five finishes in Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Western Pleasure, Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Pole Bending and Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Hunt-Seat Equitation.
By Special Invitation and out of Do Mac A Impulse, Beth was bred by Yarnelle Farms of Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is trained by Chanda Burke of Thorndale, Ontario, Canada, and JS Quarter Horses in Glencoe, Ontario, Canada and leased by Jesse.
The Reserve All-Around Amateur Solid Paint-Bred award went to Caitlin Gordon of Manchester, Michigan, and Sensational Jack Bar, a 2007 sorrel solid gelding by Zippos Sensation and out of Misstee Jack Bar.
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Top image by Paint Horse Journal; Other images courtesy Larry Williams Photography
[Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted, so long as credit is given to the Paint Horse Journal and a link provided back to apha.com.]
About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.