Top Amateurs Take Center Stage at the 2015 World Show

[source: the Paint Horse Journal]

In celebration of their accomplishments over eight days of friendly competition, top Amateur exhibitors were honored November 11 at the 2015 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 2016 ​Paint Horse Journal. 

All-Around Classic Amateur
Christine Weiser & Nighttime Sensation

Christine Weiser is no stranger to the APHA World Show spotlight—she’s been attending for 15 years—but this year’s success with Nighttime Sensation, her 2005 black overo gelding by Zippos Sensation and out of Bunny’s Crisis, came as quite a surprise to the horsewoman from Meridian, Idaho.

“I’ve always thought about winning an all-around, but I’ve always thought there was no way I’d win, because there’s so many factors that have to fall into place,” Christine said. “Your horse has to be ‘on’ the entire show, you have to have good rides and you can’t make any mistakes. Everything just fell in line this year.”

Christine and “Cole” earned world championships in Classic Amateur Horsemanship, Classic Amateur Hunt-Seat Equitation, Classic Amateur Showmanship, reserve world champion in Classic Amateur Trail and third in Classic Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. 

Cole was bred by Lynn and Andrea Simons of Aubrey, Texas. He’s trained by Karen Qualls of Chino Hills, California. 

For her win, ​​Christine ​receives a Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; $500 cash, courtesy of APHA; a duffle bag and equine wellness supplement, courtesy of Platinum Performance; a bridle bag, courtesy of Saratoga Horseworks; and a 16″ x ​20″ photograph, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography.

All-Around Masters Amateur
Coleen Bull & Timeless Assets

Coleen Bull and Timeless Assets are no strangers to the limelight. Earning their fifth consecutive All-Around Masters Amateur title this year, Coleen and “Tucson” collected world championships in Masters Amateur Horsemanship, Masters Amateur Hunt-Seat Equitation, Amateur Pleasure Driving and Masters Amateur Senior Hunter Under Saddle. With these titles, Tucson is unofficially tied for fourth on APHA’s list of lifetime leading world champion titleholders at 19 world championships.

“Tucson is amazing. I have a special bond with him,” Coleen said. “I can count on him giving me everything he’s got along the way.” 

By Frozen Assets and out of This Times Divine, Tucson was bred by Charlene Lee Maybury of West Jefferson, Ohio. He is trained by Garth and Sonnesa Gooding of Fennville, Michigan.

For her win, ​Coleen ​will take home a Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; $500 cash, courtesy of APHA; a duffle bag and equine wellness supplement, courtesy of Platinum Performance; a bridle bag, courtesy of Saratoga Horseworks; and a 16″ x ​20″ photograph, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography.

All-Around Novice Amateur
Jill Silverberg & Send Roses Please

It’s been a while since Jill Silverberg has stepped foot in the John Justin Arena, but the horsewoman from Santa Barbara, California, returned in style, winning ​three world championships and the All-Around Novice Amateur title with Send Roses Please, her 2003 sorrel tobiano gelding by Gentlemen Send Roses and out of Bobbie Lee Zippo (QH). 

“The all-around wasn’t something I’d planned—I’m only a Novice in Western events, and usually that’s not enough for the all-around,” Jill said. “But ‘Gilbert’ is a great horse and just did so well. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d win an all-around award at the World Show; it’s a shock, but an amazing one.”

Gilbert was bred by Mike and Belinda Morris of South Bend, Indiana. He’s trained by Roger Deromedi and Rod Safty of Wilton, California. 

Overall, Jill and Gilbert racked up world championships in Novice Amateur Horsemanship, Novice Amateur Western Pleasure, Novice Amateur Western Riding and seventh in Novice Amateur Trail. 

For her win, Jill receives a Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; $500 cash, courtesy of APHA; a duffle bag and equine wellness supplement, courtesy of Platinum Performance; a bridle bag, courtesy of Saratoga Horseworks; and a 11″ x 14″ photograph, courtesy of Larry Williams Photography.

High-Point Amateur Walk-Trot
Jeannie LIpphard & Instinctively Dirty

Jeannie Lipphard of Centreville, Maryland, had big goals on the agenda for 2015, which included making a run for the inaugural High-Point Amateur Walk-Trot title at the World Show. Paired with her 5-year-old sorrel overo mare Instinctively Dirty, Jeannie proved consistency can be a powerful force; the duo captur​ed four reserve world championship titles and the overall high-point award, putting the capstone on a phenomenal year. 

“Sister” is a 2010 sorrel overo mare by Sudden Instinct (QH) and out of Dirty Centerfold. She was bred by Gregg Reisinger of Eldora, Iowa, and is trained by Marty and Brooke Dixon of Dover, Delaware.

Over the course of the World Show, Jeannie and SIster were reserve world champions in Amateur Walk-Trot Horsemanship, Hunt-Seat Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle and Trail; they were also fifth in Amateur Walk-Trot Western Pleasure and  sixth in Amateur Walk-Trot Showmanship

“The Walk-Trot is a great stepping stone for people who are moving up to different disciplines, it’s a great place for us folks who are over 50, and it’s a great option if you have a horse that doesn’t canter well,” Jeannie said. “I really appreciate Gregg Reisinger, Raina and Eric Parsons for starting her and Marty and Brook for finding and finishing her. This is absolutely a dream come true.”

For her win, Jeannie takes home a Western trophy saddle, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack; $500 cash, courtesy of APHA; and a duffle bag and equine wellness supplement, courtesy of Platinum Performance.

High-Point Amateur & Open Solid Paint-Bred
Kristy Doyle & O Where Is My Spot

Kristy Doyle of Ellsworth, Illinois, just so happened to be in the right place at the right time to pilot O Where Is My Spot, to win the first ever All-Around Amateur Solid Paint-Bred award and the All-Around Open Solid-Paint-Bred Horse award. ​​Attending a conference for work in nearby Richardson, Texas, Kristy decided to extend her stay in Dallas-Fort Worth to compete at the World Show, too.

“I was honestly just hoping for one world championship, not four and three reserve world championships,” Kristy said. “This is like a dream come true.” 

“Jasmine” is a 2007 sorrel solid mare by Ollie Norfleet and out of Zippins Trendy Doll; she was bred and trained by Kristy. 

The pair’s top placings include world championships in Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Pole Bending, Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Western Pleasure, Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Showmanship and Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Horsemanship, They were also reserve world champions in Amateur Solid-Paint Bred Hunter Under Saddle, Amateur Solid Paint-Bred Hunt-Seat Equitation and Solid Paint-Bred Trail. 

For her wins, Kristy receives two headstalls, courtesy of Blue Ribbon Custom Tack and Rock Solid World Tour; a duffle bag, courtesy of Platinum Performance; a bridle bag, courtesy of Saratoga Horseworks; and equine wellness supplement, courtesy of Platinum Performance.