The Ranch Horse classes at the 2021 All American Quarter Horse Congress closed out on Tuesday, but not before awarding some big payouts for the inaugural Stakes events in Ranch Riding and Ranch Rail for some lucky exhibitors.
Four and Five Year Old Ranch Riding Stakes
New for 2021, the Four and Five Year Old Ranch Riding Stakes class saw 28 entries. The class paid out nearly $8,000, with a first place prize of $2,977.25 going to Shine Whitle Shine, shown by Robert Johnson for Rose Mason.
“Three thousand dollars is a lot of money for a Ranch payout,” noted Robert Johnson. “We think it’s great, and a great program for the Ranch Horse exhibitors. I’m especially happy for Rose.”
“I really have to thank Robert, because he’s done such a good job with my horse,” added Rose.
Open Ranch Rail Stakes
Matt Lantz showed Spook Dot Gun for owner Linda Wiebe to win the inaugural Congress Open Ranch Rail Stakes. The trio earned $3,585.80 for the win. It was the third win for ‘Red,’ who was also the Congress AQHA and NSBA champion in Level 1 Senior Ranch Riding as well as Open Ranch Rail.
“I’ve been working with Red for about three years now,” Matt said. “He’s just so steady. You get him out and ride him, and he’s the same every day. The Ranch Rail class is fairly new to me. I am a Reiner, and we’ve been doing Ranch Riding classes too. Fortunately, my wife Lori has a background in this and she’s helped me with it.
“And I’ve been feeding off trainer Steve Meadows too. I’ve learned that this class is all about forward movement. It’s a great class.”
Non-Pro Ranch Rail Stakes
In the Congress Non-Pro Ranch Rail Stakes, a seasoned Non-Pro earned the top spot and the paycheck of $3,034.82 when Karen Johnson and Gotta Hot Gun earned the win. Karen and ‘Kangaroo’ had also won Amateur Select Ranch Riding earlier in the day.
“Kangaroo is so soft and such a good mover,” Karen said. “He’s a happy horse, and he looks like he is going somewhere when he’s in this class. I think people sometimes misinterpret the class – it’s not a race. It’s about transitions and extention of gaits when they are called for. The horse that wins needs to have movement that flows.
“Having these stakes classes is so huge. It’s a great event for both the Open and the Non-Pro Ranch Horse exhibitors, because these classes are getting so popular. My husband Bob has so many older clients who maybe never rode, or rode other horses before and can’t quite do the other events, but they can do this division. We love it.”
Sponsor With A Vision
Steve and Kathy Headley generously sponsored the Open and Non-Pro Ranch Rail Stakes classes at this year’s Congress. “To us, it’s just so cool to see this take off,” Steve said. “Ranch Horse classes are so much fun, and the people are so much fun to be around. We see the horses as therapy, and they do so much for us. We’ve been blessed, and we’re fortunate to be able to pass it on.”
Ranch Horse exhibitors who compete in both the Congress Ranch Rail Stakes and AQHA World Show Ranch Rail Stakes will be eligible for an additional $10,000 in added money for their performances at the two shows. “The winner will receive $5,000, the second place $3,000 and third place $2,000 based on both show’s placings,” Steve explained. “Norm Luba actually came up with the idea, and we’re excited to see it happen.
Other Tuesday Champions
There isn’t much better of a compliment than another exhibitor saying they should have bought your horse. Such was the case when Steve Meadows and Mr Great Red, showing for Courtney Clagg, won the Level 1 Junior Ranch Riding.
“I should have bought that gelding,” noted third place winner Clayton Jerrell. “I was next in line to buy him if Steve hadn’t got him.”
In the Level 1 Amateur Ranch Riding, Michelle McDowell guided Smart As Sue to the AQHA and NSBA win, besting 40 entries in the class. “Reba is nine years old and is by Smart Like Juice and out of a Rowdy Yankee mare,” Michelle said. “This is my third year with her. We were two time reserve champions in Reining two years ago and we only entered one Ranch class that year and were sixth in Level 1.
“Reba is my first Reining horse, and she’s very forgiving. She always gives her all and she will do anything for you. She gives you her heart. Today, I was really excited for the extended trot in the pattern, because I come from a hunt seat background and it just feels fun to me. I’m a fourth grade teacher in Plainwell, Michigan, and I used my two personal days for the year to come here and show. Tomorrow I have to go back to work.”
In Amateur Ranch Riding, Ellexxah Maxwell took Crank Up The Band to the AQHA and NSBA win. “Carl is either really good, or we have issues,” Ellexxah laughed.
“He was the best he’s ever been today. I couldn’t ask for more, especially for my first year showing in this class as an Amateur. It was a simpler pattern, but you tend to overthink it. He was really being soft, consistent, quiet and controlled.”
When Ellexxah also won the AQHA portion of the Amateur Ranch Rail class, the AQHA reserve champion Nicole Fuller and This Chics Paid were named the NSBA champions in the class. “Lexie has only been back to work for eight weeks,” Nicole exclaimed. “She slipped a foal earlier this year, so we decided to bring her back and muddle through the Congress. She is by a son of Paid By Check and out of a Peppy San Badger mare.
“She’s a great mover, she’s just not that fit right now, so we just did Ranch Riding and Ranch Rail this year. The Ranch classes are so great mentally for the Reiners. It makes them have to do something other than run and stop or go in circles. It’s also a great class for the Reiners that can’t physically do the Reining maneuvers any more, but they can do these classes. They are so well trained that it is great for them.”
Fancy Blue Roo and Quincy Clagg also racked up another win at the 2021 Congress in Youth Ranch Rail.
The 2021 All American Quarter Horse Congress continues through October 24. Wednesday sees Roping as well as YEDA events, while on Thursday, Interscholastic Equestrian Association exhibitors take center stage. To view the complete Congress schedule, show results or view the live video feed, please visit quarterhorsecongress.com.
