In a class with nearly $30,000 on the line, The Pleasure Code and Keith Miller trotted into the John Justin Arena with confidence, ready to show off their talent in the 2020 Breeders’ Trust 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes September 28 at the APHA World Championship Show.
“Kenny,” a 2018 red roan overo gelding by VS Code Red (QH) and out of Shesa Real Pleasure, was the picture of cool, nonchalantly cruising through his warm-up before the class with ease. Catch-riding the gelding, Keith too looked calm and confident in his mount, who is owned by Kristen Syburg of Cave Creek, Arizona, and trained by Brad Ost and Troy Lehn.
“They asked me when I got here if I had one [for this class], and I said no. I’ve ridden him about every day since I got here. Brad and Troy do a great job,” Keith said. “He lets me sit up and show. He canters great, he trots big. He’s not necessarily the biggest, but he keeps up and has a good step and stride. And he’s just so good minded and naturally talented, which makes everybody’s job so much easier.”
Looking more mature than his 2 years, Kenny and Keith cantered to the championship title, cashing in on a paycheck of $8,917 for the win.
“There were very nice horses in this class, but he was totally flawless. He couldn’t have been any better,” Kristen said. “I can’t believe I own him.”
Bred by Ken, Karen and Amalie Kennedy of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Kenny’s win adds to the legend of his dam, Shesa Real Pleasure, whose foals have won more than 40 world and reserve world championship titles. Kenny—nicknamed for Ken, who infamously held a patio umbrella over the newborn colt when a sudden pop-up rainstorm opened in the Arkansas sky—is one of two foals produced by his dam in 2018 via embryo transfer; his full sister, VS Beautyskooldropout, competes in the Breeders’ Trust 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure stakes on September 29.
The class’ Limited Division payout of $7,431 was won by Kristin Layher and All Pretty, a 2018 bay solid mare by All Time Fancy and out of Zippos Expensive Art. Owned by Merritt Equine Ventures LLC of Kilgore, Texas, All Pretty was bred by Brad Perkins of Thomas, Oklahoma.
The Breeders’ Trust 2-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle Stakes saw five entries competing for $29,725 in purse money. To be eligible for the elite class, a horse—Regular Registry or Solid Paint-Bred—must be enrolled in the Breeders’ Trust program and be nominated to the class in advance of the show. For full class results, visit apha.com/worldshow/results.
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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 promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.