The Ranch horse classes concluded at the 2023 All American Quarter Horse Congress with some familiar champions and a few new ones. The day saw Junior Ranch Trail, Youth Ranch Trail and the Open and Non-Pro Ranch Trail Stakes classes.
'Football' Wins Open Junior Ranch Trail
Steve Meadows guided The Half Time Show, affectionately known as Football, to win Open Junior Ranch Trail for owner Kara Ann Bennett. He also showed the reserve champion horse, Only Chrome Guns, for owner Christina Steiner.
“I’ve only owned Football since January,” Kara said. “This is something I’ve wanted to do all of my life. When I was a girl, my family would come to the Congress and watch all the horses and riders. My family couldn’t afford to do this. So I’m living my bucket list now. Steve just made my year with this win.
“I’ve been doing Ranch classes for about two years. I was a Reiner a long time ago, and I was attracted to the Ranch classes because it is a great combination of Reining, Western Pleasure and Trail. We have a great barn family too, and they are so supportive. Steve had shown Football quite a bit in the Open, but this is his first year to be an Amateur horse. Football is fun, he’s quirky, but he still goes out and does what you ask him. He has a big heart.
“I thought Steve and Football had a smooth, consistent go today. Of course, Steve makes everything look easy.”
Madison Rafacz And Peter Take Youth Ranch Trail
Adding to the Congress championship she won with Whiznboonsmall in Youth Ranch Riding 14-18, Madison Rafacz not only showed ‘Peter The Great’ to win the class but also showed Got Twisted In Vegas to reserve in NSBA and third in the AQHA portion of Youth Ranch Trail.
Whiznboonsmall also won the Open Ranch Riding Stakes with Bud Lyon earlier in the week. While the two riders share the gelding in competition, he spends most of his time at home with Madison, who does most of his preparation.
Romeo And Bud Lyon End As They Started The Show – With A Win
The combination of Sumac Gunnabeflashy and Buy Lyon proved to be tough to beat this week, and they ended the Ranch horse classes just as they had begun it – with a win.
The duo won the Open Ranch Trail Stakes, adding another $$5,197.80 to Bud’s earnings at the 2023 Congress and for owner Leslie Lange. Bud also placed fifth in the class with Whiznboonsmal, showing for Madiscon Refacz, to earn an additional $1,455.38.
"I have to say that Leslie Lange is the best horse owner ever," Bud said. "I'm blessed that she lets me keep showing this horse, and he's a great horse. She gave me some pretty specific marching orders to find her a special horse, and I think we delivered on that because Romeo is a very special horse."
The two placings put Bud’s earnings at the 2023 Congress over $28,000.
Kyla Thurlow And Kachina Olena Tag Win Non-Pro Ranch Trail Stakes
Much like Bud Lyon, Kyla Thurlow and her horse Kachina Olena Tag ended the 2023 Congress Ranch classes as they began them – with a win. Kyla and her gelding won Level 1 Amateur Ranch Riding on the first day of Congress competition, and ended the last class of the last day of Ranch events by winning the Non-Pro Ranch Trail Stakes.
The long-time show partners have shown Reining extensively and began showing in Ranch events about a year and a half ago. Kyla had never won a Congress title before this year's Congress and leaves the 2023 show with two.
The Congress will complete its Reining classes with Open, Intermediate Open and Limited Open Reining classes as well as Primetime Reining and Level 1 Amateur Reining on Tuesday, as the show prepares to transition to its next group of classes. Team Roping and Steer Wrestling take center stage on Wednesday and Tie-Down, Breakaway and Dummy Roping take place on Thursday. The Youth Equestrian Development Association (YEDA) will also host classes on Wednesday and Thursday at the Congress in the Coliseum.
The 2023 All American Quarter Horse Congress continues through Sunday, October 22. To view complete show results, please visit the Horse Show Tracker or quarterhorsecongress.com. You can also view the show’s live video feed at quarterhorsecongress.com/livestream.
