Tops On Tuesday: More APHA/NSBA World Champions Crowned

On a cool Veteran’s Day Tuesday, the American Paint Horse Association’s World Championship Show continued to crown APHA and NSBA world champions in Open and Non-Pro events including Hunter Under Saddle, Horsemanship and Western Pleasure.

Hunter Under Saddle Champions
The judges were looking closely at Carly Veldman and Look Closely in the Gold Three Year Old Hunter Under Saddle Futurity. They liked what they saw, with the duo earning four first places as well as first in the composite for the class and a check for $2,543 for owner Williamson Paints and Quarter Horses.

“She just really enjoys her job,” Veldman said. “She has a really free movement and a big front leg. She always has her ears up, and her stride is just so natural and ground-covering.”

The mare who, called Ella, is by The Gift Of Midas and out of Miss Shadow Page. “She’ll probably be showing in Junior events next year, and they may be pulling an embryo to breed her,” Veldman said. “She might add some new English events next year too.”

Ella still has a busy APHA World Show schedule remaining, with the Three Year Old Hunter Under Saddle Challenge and Junior Hunter Under Saddle yet to show.

In Green Hunter Under Saddle, Laura Spell piloted Back That Up to the APHA world championship and the NSBA bronze trophy. “He’s five years old, but this is his first year to be hauled,” Spell said of the gelding, known as Quincy.

“What I love most about him is his personality. He’s full of himself. He’s always in your pocket, and yet he’s pretty timid, so you have to baby him. He tries every time you show him. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad ride on him.”

Spell’s mother raised Quincy, who is by Invited Back and out of She Be Real, who is a Real Bonanza mare. Quincy is owned by Joyce Boss.

To read the full article on NSBA.com, click here.