Ranch horse exhibitors showed up in big numbers on Friday at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, and several champions were crowned throughout the day.
Lane Kail and 'Jason' Win Youth Working Western Rail
With 92 horses entered who competed in five splits and a final, the competition in the Youth Working Ranch Rail was tough, but Lane Kail and Winn Like Flinn proved to be the toughest, winning the huge class.
“Jason is a five year old gelding. He shows in Ranch Rail, Ranch Riding and Ranch Trail. We went to the AQHYA Youth World and we were top five in the Ranch Rail, third in 14-18 Level 3 Ranch Riding and fourth in the Level 2 14-18 Ranch Riding, and at the NSBA World Show we were top five in the Non-Pro Ranch Trail and Non-Pro Ranch Rail and reserve in Non-Pro Ranch Riding. So we’ve worked our way up a step.
“I’ve never won a Ranch class at the Congress before, but I’ve won Youth Western Pleasure in the 13 & Under and 14-18. This is just my third year of doing Ranch classes, and I’m still learning a lot about it and improving every time. Bud Lyon and Logan Pluhar and everyone in the Bud Lyon Performance Horses barn has really helped me a lot. It can be hard going from the pleasure classes to Ranch, and then my two Ranch horses are so completely different. One is super chill and the other has a lot of go. Jason is a little quirky too, but that’s why we love him.”
With 92 horses entered who competed in five splits and a final, the competition in the Youth Working Ranch Rail was tough, but Lane Kail and Winn Like Flinn proved to be the toughest, winning the huge class.
“Jason is a five year old gelding. He shows in Ranch Rail, Ranch Riding and Ranch Trail. We went to the AQHYA Youth World and we were top five in the Ranch Rail, third in 14-18 Level 3 Ranch Riding and fourth in the Level 2 14-18 Ranch Riding, and at the NSBA World Show we were top five in the Non-Pro Ranch Trail and Non-Pro Ranch Rail and reserve in Non-Pro Ranch Riding. So we’ve worked our way up a step.
“I’ve never won a Ranch class at the Congress before, but I’ve won Youth Western Pleasure in the 13 & Under and 14-18. This is just my third year of doing Ranch classes, and I’m still learning a lot about it and improving every time. Bud Lyon and Logan Pluhar and everyone in the Bud Lyon Performance Horses barn has really helped me a lot. It can be hard going from the pleasure classes to Ranch, and then my two Ranch horses are so completely different. One is super chill and the other has a lot of go. Jason is a little quirky too, but that’s why we love him.”
Linda Weibe and Spook Dot Gun Win Level 1 Amateur Select Ranch Riding
“This is my fifth year to show him. He was a Reining horse before and he transitioned to the Ranch classes. I’m so emotional right now because I won this class in 2021. He’s just been such an awesome horse for me. His barn name is Red, and he is a Smart Spook. He’s 11 years old.
“Most of the time if I just stay out of his way, things go well. He’s just naturally a good boy. I’m so very proud of him because he carries me to this. I really think our extended lope around the side and then he collected for me, and then coming around in the center from the collected lope into an extended trot, was really good. That was the part of the pattern that I thought about the most.
“It’s been so fun to have this class to transition to when a Reiner gets to a point where they need something a little bit easier to do, but all of that training that they’ve had as a Reining horse fits so well into doing all these maneuvers. I’m so blessed that he has this second career.
“Red is now a five-time Congress champion. Matt Lantz is my trainer and I’ve been with him since the dawn of time – I’m his longest-term customer at 38 years. Matt found this horse for me and he not only fits me but Matt and this horse fit together like a hand in a glove, which is great because we both get to show him.”
Madison Rafacz And Whiznboomsmal Take Youth Ranch Riding 14-18
Whiznboonsmal picked up his second 2023 Congress title, this time with his owner, Madison Rafacz, in Youth Ranch Riding 14-18. Earlier in the week, Bud Lyon showed the gelding to win the Open Ranch Riding Stakes. Madison and ‘Red’ bested 74 entries to win the class.
“I’ve had him for about six years. We mainly do Ranch classes now, but we still do the Reining every once in a while,” Madison said. “I think I like Red’s personality the most. He’s quirky, and I think most of the good ones are quirky.
“When I saw this pattern, I knew the one and a half turn to the extended lope was something he does pretty well, so I was excited about that. I think over all, he was just with me the whole time in the pattern and didn’t do anything bad. He did everything I asked him to do. I think this makes 15 or 16 Congress championships for him, but it never gets old!”
Karen Johnson Wins Non-Pro Ranch Riding Stakes With Iscream For Icecream
Karen Johnson showed three horses in the Congress Non-Pro Ranch Riding Stakes, and took all three to top 15 awards in the class. She showed SG Valentine to eighth, Gotta Hot Gun to seventh, and won the class with Iscream For Icecream.
“I’ve had Chili for about a year and a half. We bought him from Andrea Frappani when he was three and he’s just four now. He’s so strong. He’s short backed and everything is so easy for him. He won the Junior Ranch Riding earlier this week. He’s a great loper, a great mover,and he’s great minded and not spooky. He’s by Frozen Enterprise and out of a Smart Chic Olena mother.”
When asked about her pattern, Karen noted “I was very pleased with his lead change. I’m not sure it was the prettiest, but it has been our biggest stumbling block, so it was a personal victory.”
She noted that she and Chili will compete in Ranch Trail. “I’m not very good at it, but he is, so we’re going to attempt it,” she said.
Another Bud Lyon Win
Bud Lyon added to his impressive list of accomplishments with another Congress championship in Junior Ranch Riding. He showed the horse he and his wife Kim own, Chillinlikeavillain, to win the class and also showed Double Tapn to fourth for owner Dan Fox, as well as Pale In Comparison to seventh for owner Lynn Walker and Winn Like Flinn to 12th for Lane Kail.
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.
