Two Classes, Two Wins for the Groome family at Paint World
The Groome family of Waxhaw, North Carolina, had a focused agenda for the 2025 APHA World Championship Show: Youth exhibitors Reese and Brock were ready to show in just one Western pleasure class each at the Cowtown championship. Brock was ready to pilot Rip Roaring Good in Youth Western Pleasure 13 & Under. Sister Reese was originally planning to show another horse in Youth Walk-Trot Western Pleasure, but when plans unexpectedly changed, big brother generously offered to share Rip with her, as well.
“She was supposed to show a different horse, but that one got sold before we came out here, so Brock let her ride Rip,” mom Jessica Groome said.
The World Show schedule put the Groomes’ classes back-to-back on June 22. Reese confidently jogged Rip to a world championship in Youth Walk-Trot Western Pleasure—Rip had to leave the awards presentation early for a tack change, so she took her victory lap abord a two-legged buddy. Then, she headed to the stands to see if Brock could find success of his own.
As soon as Brock jogged Rip down the center of the John Justin Arena, Jessica knew they were on their A-game. Walk, jog, lope—the cadence came easily to the pair, just like they’d practiced. They were rewarded with the Youth 13 & Under Western Pleasure world championship.
“Reese is typically the more confident rider, so we knew she’d show him,” Jessica said. “Brock’s been going down a lot more to practice with Rip to get more confident. When I saw him enter the pen, I knew he was confident and felt good about him. We were hoping for this, and it happened!”
After the fact, everyone agreed that Brock had the better ride on the roan gelding. Putting in hours of practice paid off in spades. But for Jessica, victory means more than just ribbons, trophies, buckles and scholarships.
“I grew up showing, so to watch them come out and do this is great, especially when they’re confident in their ride,” she said.
Rip Roaring Good is a 2018 red roan overo gelding by Allured To Chocolate (QH) and out of Its Good To Be Me (QH). Nettie Olsen of Denver, North Carolina, owns the gelding, who was bred by Mary Iris Webre of Hempstead, Texas.
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The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.