Quarter Horse
Novice Championships: AQHA announces classes to be held at the inaugural Novice championships and state qualifying methods for the event
AQHA recently announced the classes that will be offered at the inaugural AQHA national Novice championship shows, which will be held October 5-7 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Las Vegas. Also, state qualifying methods for the Novice championships have been determined.
Novice amateur and Novice youth competitors may qualify for the Novice championships in the following classes:
* Halter: yearling, 2-year-old, 3-year-old, aged and performance halter geldings and mares
* Showmanship
* Horsemanship
* Hunt seat equitation
* Western pleasure
* Hunter under saddle
* Trail
* Western riding
* Reining
* Barrel racing
* Pole bending
* Stake race
Jan 18, 2012, 09:41
Quarter Horse
AQHA is now accepting bids for management of the 2012 AQHA World Championship Show Sale
AQHA is now accepting bids for management of the 2012 AQHA World Championship Show Sale.
AQHA is currently accepting bids from companies and organizations interested in managing the 2012 AQHA World Championship Show Sale. The open request for proposal period will close at 5 p.m. January 20, 2012. The World Show Sale occurs each year during the AQHA World Championship Show and provides the opportunity for the public to see and purchase American Quarter Horses.
Bid proposal forms are available online. Any organization interested in managing AQHA’s 2012 World Show Sale must complete the bid proposal form. Companies and organizations may choose to attach additional information not already included in the bid proposal form.
Jan 11, 2012, 14:43
Quarter Horse
AQHA Director Emeritus Al Carruthers Dies
AQHA Director Emeritus Charles Allan "Al" Carruthers died at home on Sunday, January 8, 2012.
He was born in Butte, August 27, 1930, to Mabel (Wilson) and Clyde Carruthers, the youngest of five children.
He was a very proud man – proud of his family, his accomplishments and his life. He was proud to be a Marine, a 32nd-Degree Mason, a successful salesman and a successful businessman. He owned many businesses and contributed greatly to the economy of his city. Town and Country Trailer Sales, Town and Country Furniture, Great Western Trailer Sales, Great Western Storage, Golden West Estates Development, Big Sky Mobile Home Mfg. and Green Acres Development are some of the more notable companies he owned and operated. He was proudest of his vision and opening of a steakhouse, The Derby, (named after the horse race for 3-year-olds). If you had the pleasure of visiting The Derby during the years he built it up, you would remember all of the pictures of him and his family and friends in "win pictures" lining the walls. His love of racing, raising and training Quarter Horses (and even a few Thoroughbreds) is legendary among Montana racing enthusiasts.
Jan 11, 2012, 14:42
Quarter Horse
AQHA announces the 2012 American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame inductees.
The American Quarter Horse Association announces the selection of the 2012 inductees into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. Induction into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors in the American Quarter Horse industry.
The Hall of Fame selection committee reviewed the nominees, and the AQHA Executive Committee recently approved the following three people and three horses for induction:
Bob Loomis
Bob Loomis won his first public notice as a reining trainer in 1972 when he was co-reserve champion at the National Reining Horse Association Futurity on Britton Princess.
In 1976, C.T. Fuller sent High Proof to Bob for training. They won the NRHA open class at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, then the senior reining at the AQHA World Championship Show. High Proof’s elegant style changed the way reining horses were bred and trained. High Proof was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 1991.
In 1978, Bob bought Topsail Cody to cross on his Boss’ Nowata Star mares. He began training the stallion in 1979 to AQHA and NRHA championship titles. Topsail Cody would eventually pass the million-dollar mark in progeny earnings. His son Topsail Whiz, also a Loomis horse, would also pass the million-dollar mark. Topsail Cody was inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 1996.
Dec 14, 2011, 15:43
Quarter Horse
AQHA Rule-Change Proposals
The deadline for submitting AQHA rule-change proposals is December 31.
As a member-driven organization, AQHA holds an annual convention each spring to review AQHA rules and policies.
AQHA is an organization that works for its members, so we need to hear from you about any suggestions you have to make AQHA membership and our programs and services the best they can be. Each spring, AQHA holds a convention to review AQHA rules and policies, and during this convention, member-submitted rule changes and suggestions are reviewed. The 2012 AQHA Convention is March 9-12 in Las Vegas.
American Quarter Horse Association members have until December 31 to submit items for the convention. AQHA’s standing committees will meet at convention to consider submitted items.
Dec 13, 2011, 09:24
Quarter Horse
Farnam All-Around Amateur
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| Lauren Eichstadt of Greenville, Pennsylvania, and Its My Lucky Detail take the top honor and more than $15,000 in prizes as the 2011 Farnam All-Around Amateur. (Journal photo). |
Lauren Eichstadt of Greenville, Pennsylvania, takes the top honor at the 2011 Bank of America Amateur AQHA World Championship Show.
Last week, the 64 Farnam All-Around Amateur contenders competed in a variety of events throughout the 2011 American Quarter Horse Association Bank of America Amateur World Championship Show.
"The Farnam All-Around Amateur Award is the most prestigious title an amateur exhibitor can win at the AQHA World Championship Show, and one of the most significant honors awarded by the American Quarter Horse Association," says AQHA Executive Vice President Don Treadway Jr.
The 2011 Farnam All-Around Amateur is Lauren Eichstadt of Greenville, Pennsylvania, who showed Its My Lucky Detail. The 2001 bay gelding is owned by Madison Eichstadt of Greenville, Pennsylvania. Its My Lucky Detail, by Last Detail and out of Run To Seattle by Seattle Son, was bred by Larry and Linda Whitaker of Rogers, Arkansas. Lauren and "Lucky" earned 39 points competing in three classes. They placed third in amateur working hunter and amateur hunter hack, and won the reserve champion title in amateur equitation over fences.
Nov 23, 2011, 09:53
Quarter Horse
AQHA World - Junior Working Cow Horse: The best win yet
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| Jay McLaughlin rode A Shiner Named Sioux to an impressive 228 down the fence for a combined score of 449.5 in the junior working cow horse finals at the 2011 AQHA World Show. (Journal photo) |
A Shiner Named Sioux has won a lot, to say the least. From the 2010 AQHA junior reining world championship to the open co-reserve championship at the 2011 National Reining Horse Association Derby, the stylish palomino stallion is making his mark in and out of the show pen.
But for trainer Jay McLaughlin of Gainesville, Texas, there was one title in particular that he wanted for “Sioux,” and that he wanted for himself.
“You know, Jay said, ‘Of all I’ve ever won, this is the one I really want,’ ” recalls owner and breeder AQHA Professional Horseman Carol Rose of Gainesville, Texas. “He’s been saying it for a long time. He said, ‘I really want the junior cow horse this year on Sioux.’ And he’s really planned hard for it and prepared the horse so perfectly for it. And I’m thrilled!”
For quite a while, Jay has had his eye on the junior working cow horse gold trophy for the 2006 son of Shining Spark and who is out of the mare Docs Sulena by Doc O’Lena.
Nov 18, 2011, 11:36
Quarter Horse
AQHA World - Junior Western Riding: Trainer fulfills dream with great ride at World Show
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| Leonard Berryhill takes a bridleless spin on the new world champion Elis A Sleepin. (Journal photo) |
In the back of his mind, trainer Leonard Berryhill has always dreamed of taking a bridleless victory lap.
On November 17 at the 2011 AQHA World Championship Show, Leonard got the chance to do just that in junior western riding on Elis A Sleepin.
As the championship neck wreath was fastened around the 2006 black gelding’s neck, Leonard motioned to AQHA Executive Committee Member George Phillips to remove the bridle.
George slipped off the headstall and fastened the wreath around “Eli’s” neck as Leonard took off around Jim Norick Arena at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. Leonard loped around using the neck wreath to steer and eventually removed that as well, changing leads every two strides to show off the new world champion as the crowd cheered.
“I’ve always wanted to do it,” the Talala, Oklahoma, trainer says. “Believe it or not, I’ve only done that once with that horse, but he was so good tonight and so responsive to everything I asked him, I just felt like it was time to do it, and he just let me have it.”
The 2006 black gelding owned by McNair Farm of Claremore, Oklahoma, is a first world championship for Dick and Heidi McNair, who sent the horse to Leonard in January.
Nov 18, 2011, 11:30
Quarter Horse
AQHA World - Ranch Sorting: In-laws team up for world championship
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| Jordan and Sarah Lesh trade off in the hole in ranch sorting November 8 at the AQHA World Championship Show. (Journal photo) |
Two former cutting mares in the hands of two Leshes was the formula for success in ranch sorting at the 2011 AQHA World Championship Show.
On November 8, Jordan Lesh and his sister-in-law, Sarah Lesh, rode Aristo Glo and Red Hot Alena, respectively, to a joint championship, penning 16 head in 117.942 seconds.
“Our (preliminary) run went really good,” Sarah says. “We got 10 head, so it was really smooth. We made it back to the finals. We came back sitting second.”
By the time they rode into the pens in the finals, 13th in the draw, they knew they needed to work cautiously.
“There was only a 14-header at the time that was leading at the time we went, so we had to get four more,” Jordan says. “We just took it nice and easy and got our cows off the ends.”
Teamwork was another key, Sarah says.
Nov 15, 2011, 15:14
Quarter Horse
AQHA World - Junior Barrel Racing: Kelly Yates takes her homebred to a world championship
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| Kelly Yates turns the second barrel on Fiesta Del Rey. (Journal photo) |
Digging deep and turning like he was peeling a potato, Fiesta Del Rey carried owner and breeder Kelly Ann Yates to a world championship in junior barrel racing November 7 at the AQHA World Championship Show.
Fiesta Del Rey is a 2006 chestnut gelding by Dual Rey and out of Firewater Fiesta by Fire Water Flit.
“I’m so excited,” says the Pueblo, Colorado, resident in her exclusive interview with the Journal. “He’s out of my great mare, Firewater Fiesta, and by Dual Rey, and he is so much like her, it’s scary. When I was doing good on her, I was 40. I’m 53 now – he needs to take care of me a little better!
“He’s just extremely special. I call him my knight in shining armor. He just loves it, like she did. It’s not work.”
Kelly’s mare Firewater Fiesta was the 2000 and 2001 AQHA-PRCA Horse of the Year in barrel racing, with $11,084 in Barrel Futurities of America earnings on her, not to mention the amount she earned at rodeos and jackpots.
Nov 15, 2011, 15:08
Quarter Horse
AQHA World - Amateur Barrel Racing - Back for a second round
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| Taylor Langdon and BB Frenchgirl defend their amateur barrel racing world championship November 8. (Journal photo) |
When Taylor Langdon graduated from high school, she received a special present: a flashy bay mare.
For the second year in a row, that mare has shown her value by winning the amateur barrel racing world championship at the AQHA World Championship Show.
“She is a 7-year-old mare,” Taylor says. “She’s amazing. She’s such a blessing. I got her and trained her starting my freshman year in college. It took us a little while, but when it happened, it’s just been amazing.”
In 2010, besides winning the amateur barrel class, Taylor and “Frenchie” were reserve champions in senior barrels. They repeated that effort this year, making the finals in the open class, but Frenchie tripped heading for the finish line, and they finished 12th.
The mare was a bit sore November 8 in the warm-up for the amateur finals.
Nov 15, 2011, 14:55
Quarter Horse
AQHA World - Amateur Reining - Finally Caught Gold
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| Lindsay Wadhams of Pueblo, Colorado, piloted Spursuasion to a score of 218, which earned them the world championship in amateur reining at the 2011 AQHA World Show. (Journal photo). |
She says she’s been chasing the gold for 30 years, and finally she’s caught it.
Lindsay Wadhams of Pueblo, Colorado, and Spursuasion had crossed paths for years, but last year, Lindsay finally got the chance to buy the horse that would take her to her first world championship.
Spursuasion, by Ray Gay Quixote and out of Mist N Smoke by Doc Tom Tucker, has had his share of success in the show pen, and so has Lindsay, but on November 8 the duo stepped up to the plate in amateur reining.
All week, Lindsay and “Booger,” a 2001 sorrel gelding bred by Debra and Dorn Parkinson of Prescott, Arizona, have been practicing under the tutelage of Corey Cushing of Scottsdale, Arizona.
“Corey got me ready here and it’s the most prepared I’ve ever been,” Lindsay says.
Nov 15, 2011, 14:00
Quarter Horse
AQHA World - Amateur Cutting - Battle of the Spouses
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| Bill Cowan and Foxie In Style marked a 223.5 in the amateur cutting finals to take the world championship at the 2011 AQHA World Show. (Journal photo). |
When Michelle Cowan slinked into the herd on her flashy mare, Loves Etch, she knew that she had some tough competition hot on her heels.
But Michelle and her 2006 chestnut mare had their game faces on and got to work, marking a 222, which shot them straight to the lead in the amateur cutting finals at the 2011 AQHA World Championship Show.
However, four horses later, in walked a horse and rider that would stop Michelle and Loves Etch right in their tracks: Bill Cowan and Foxie In Style.
Bill and “Foxie” had already shown the judges what they could do in the prelims, where the duo had the high mark with a 222.
But when Bill walked into the herd in the finals, he was faced with an unfortunate situation – Michelle had already beaten him to some good cows that he wanted to cut.
Nov 15, 2011, 13:45
Quarter Horse
AQHA World AMATEUR WORKING COW HORSE - Accepting an invitation is the way to win a world championship
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| Karey Franz wins a world championship with Nuchex N Diamonds. (Journal photo) |
Karey Franz of Steelville, Missouri, was supposed to be elk hunting. She hadn’t gotten qualified for the 2011 AQHA World Championship Show and her husband, Jess, planned a hunting trip.
But then she received her AQHA Amateur Invitational Program letter in the mail. New for 2011, it invites the highest point-earning exhibitor in each class from each state who just missed qualifying, to come and compete.
“I was supposed to be there with him,” Karey says. “But my horse (Nuchex N Diamonds) was going so well, we decided to go ahead and come here, and he went elk hunting.”
Nov 15, 2011, 13:21
Quarter Horse
A lucky third trip to the World Show results in a championship
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| Sam Smith shows Chicsdundreamin. (Journal photo) |
This year is Sam Smith’s third time to compete in the AQHA World Championship Show arena.
“The first time, to tell you how long ago it was,” says the reining trainer from Marrietta, Oklahoma, “it was in Louisville, Kentucky, in the '70s. I was 18 years old, and I was showing in western pleasure.”
The second time was last year. He finished third in the junior reining finals on Carl Lambert’s mare Good Time Whiz Girl.
Sam’s third appearance was again in the junior reining, and he made the finals with Tim Roper’s 2007 gelding by Magnum Chic Dream, Chicsdundreamin. The horse has more than $72,000 in National Reining Horse Association earnings and was the 2010 National Reining Breeders Classic open prime time champion. For 2011, Tim asked Sam to point the horse toward the World Show.
Nov 15, 2011, 11:44
Quarter Horse
Sure Cool Te repeats world championship for Lana Brooks
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| AQHA Professional Horseman Doug Landon leads Sure Cool Te to the 2011 performance halter mares world championship. (Journal photo) |
Lana Brooks wiped tears from her eyes November 13.
Her mare Sure Cool Te had walked out of the pen with her second gold trophy of the 2011 AQHA World Championship Show. The win November 13 was for performance halter mares with AQHA Professional Horseman Doug Landon at the shank. Her trophy November 10 came in amateur performance halter mares with Lana leading the mare.
“She’s a sorrel mare with four white feet,” Lana says. “She’s by Te Coolest, and she was bred and raised by Sue Bastian from Missouri. I bought her this summer, just in time to get her qualified.”
“Peaches” is out of Sure Wild by Mr Sure Smooth. The mare has been at Doug’s barn since she was 2.
“She’s a sweetheart, and this is her last horse show,” Lana says in her exclusive Journal interview. “She’s gonna go home and be a mama.”
Nov 15, 2011, 11:37
Quarter Horse
Country Music and Quarter Horses
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| Jason Sturgeon meets fans at the 2011 AQHA World Championship Show trade show. More pictures of Jason performing will be available after the concert November 12. (Journal photo) |
Up and coming country music star Jason Sturgeon roots his music in his life.
Jump off the ledge, take a chance and live your best life.
That’s the message of blue-collar country music star Jason Sturgeon, who mixes his homegrown music with mandolin, and his life with American Quarter Horses.
Jason showed at the AQHA World Championship Show in 1996, placing eighth in junior pole bending. As a full-time musician now, he has made his way to Oklahoma City again for the World Show, this time as a performer.
“I’ll rock the house as hard as they’ll let me,” Jason says. “No holds barred.”
After signing autographs November 11, Jason and his band were scheduled to play November 12 during the evening World Show finals, starting with the national anthem and interspersing some singles from Jason’s CD, “That’s Me.”
Nov 15, 2011, 11:33
Quarter Horse
2011 Farnam All-Around Amateur
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| Lauren Eichstadt of Greenville, Pennsylvania, takes the top honor and more than $15,000 in prizes as the 2011 Farnam All-Around Amateur. (Journal photo). |
Lauren Eichstadt of Greenville, Pennsylvania, takes the top honor and more than $15,000 in prizes as the 2011 Farnam All-Around Amateur at the 2011 AQHA World Championship Show.
During the past week, the Farnam All-Around Amateur contenders competed in a variety of events throughout the 2011 American Quarter Horse Association Bank of America Amateur World Championship Show. This year, 64 contenders competed for the Farnam All-Around Amateur Award.
"The Farnam All-Around Amateur Award is the most prestigious title an amateur exhibitor can win at the AQHA World Championship Show, and one of the most significant honors awarded by the American Quarter Horse Association," said AQHA Executive Vice President Don Treadway Jr.
The 2011 Farnam All-Around Amateur is Lauren Eichstadt of Greenville, Pennsylvania, who showed Its My Lucky Detail. The 2001 bay gelding is owned by Madison Eichstadt of Greenville, Pennsylvania. Its My Lucky Detail, sired by Last Detail and out of Run To Seattle by Seattle Son, was bred by Larry and Linda Whitaker of Rogers, Arkansas. Lauren Eichstadt and Its My Lucky Detail earned 39 points competing in three classes. They placed third in amateur working hunter and amateur hunter hack. The pair also won the reserve champion title in amateur equitation over fences.
Nov 14, 2011, 10:09
Quarter Horse
AMATEUR 3-YEAR-OLD STALLIONS
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| Leading JF Skip N Style to a world championship in amateur 3-year-old stallions was John Fischer Jr. (Journal photo). |
After 35 years of breeding American Quarter Horses, the Fischer family earns its first AQHA world championship with JF Skip N Style.
John Fischer is not only a man who sets goal, but a man who sets out to achieve those goals.
More than 50 years ago, John’s one goal was to make it to America.
Dodging land mines, bullets and refugee camps established by the Russian Communist government occupying Hungary, John was fighting to survive. As a member of a student-based revolution against the Communist government in Budapest, times were perilous for John.
In 1957, John found himself in the United States, a country where he believed that if he worked hard enough, he could make his dreams come true. He settled down in Kansas, where he would study radiology and raise his family and American Quarter Horses.
Nov 14, 2011, 10:04
Quarter Horse
AQHA awards 2011 50-year cumulative breeders and legacy breeders
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| Each year, AQHA honors breeders who have dedicated their livelihoods to maintaining the integrity of the American Quarter Horse. |
Twenty-six breeders from across the country and Canada were honored by the American Quarter Horses Association as 50-Year Cumulative and Legacy breeders at a ceremony held on October 3 at the AQHA Hall of Fame & Museum in Amarillo, Texas.
Each year, AQHA honors breeders who have dedicated their livelihoods to maintaining the integrity of the American Quarter Horse. These horsemen and families see their biggest accomplishments and proudest moments in the horses they breed.
This year, the honorees included 14 who received the cumulative award and 12 who received the legacy award. Cumulative breeders are those who have registered at least one foal for 50 years cumulatively. Legacy breeders are those who have registered at least one foal for 50 consecutive years.
Honorees ranged from people who have bred American Quarter Horses for cutting, ranch and rodeo use to breeders of racehorses. Recipients were also geographically dispersed, hailing from Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Canada. All have dedicated 50 years or more to taking their best and making it better.
“It’s our honor to recognize the effort and time these breeders have spent in pushing the development of the American Quarter Horse,” said Don Treadway Jr., AQHA executive vice president.
The Cumulative Award honorees included:
Nov 11, 2011, 15:47
Quarter Horse
Wild Card Dun It, AQHA junior all-around horse, was selected over professionally trained movie horses for a starring role in new film.
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| Wild Card Dun It was the 2006 AQHA junior all-around horse with points in heading, heeling, tie-down roping, working cow horse, reining, barrel racing and halter. (Photo by KC Montgomery) |
The 2001 American Quarter Horse buckskin stallion Wild Card Dun It, owned by Louis A. Waters of Utopia, Texas, made his debut on the big screen recently in the film “Seven Days in Utopia.” “Wild Card” was selected by the movie’s star, Robert Duvall, over professionally trained movie horses to be featured as his character’s mount throughout the movie.
“We give the credit to his breeding and definitely to the training,” said Wanda Waters. “In the pasture, he’s a macho man with his broodmares but you walk out there and he comes right up to you and drops his head. You put that halter on, and he’s just your riding horse. He’s great. But that’s a tribute to the whole Quarter Horse breed. That’s just how Quarter Horses are. That’s why we raise them.”
Duvall, who was staying on the Waterses’ property, was told about the stallion and asked to see him. He liked Wild Card’s gentle and calm nature, but Wanda said what truly impressed him was the horse’s ability to pick up a lope from a standstill. The Waterses also provided some of their other American Quarter Horses for the movie, and their daughter and son-in-law worked as wranglers on the movie set.
Nov 11, 2011, 15:44
Quarter Horse
The AQHA World Championship Show features a first-class horse sale
This year's AQHA World Championship Show Horse Sale is Friday, November 18, 2011. A performance demonstration will take place Thursday, November 17, at 9 a.m.
Whether you hail from across the street or across the pond, this world-class horse sale in Oklahoma City features some of the finest American Quarter Horses. And for our international friends, get more bang for your buck, as the American dollar offers outstanding opportunities to buy excellent horses at unbeatably low prices.
Looking for a reining prospect? A cutting champion? An all-around show stopper?
If you can't make it to Oklahoma City, don't worry. This site gives you all the information you'll need to purchase your favorite prospect right from home. Whether by phone, online or through an agent, this site is designed to help you if you can't make the trip.
Nov 11, 2011, 13:59
Quarter Horse
AQHA World Show - A Fresh, All-Around Win
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| P.J. Burger and Rockette Ta Fame win the 2011 senior barrels world championship. (Journal photo). |
The earth moved during the senior barrel racing finals at the2011 AQHA World Championship Show, as another aftershock rumbled through North Central Oklahoma. There have been a series of regional quakes in recent days.
But P.J. Burger doesn’t remember it all that much; she had too much else on her mind.
“It felt like an earthquake just winning the world!” she says to the Journal, after piloting Charlie Cole and Jason Martin’s homebred mare Rockette Ta Fame, aka “Rockette,” to the world championship in senior barrels.
“I’ve been second, and I’ve been third. This is my first time to win (an AQHA world championship),” says the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo competitor from Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. “It’s awesome; it’s unbelievable.”
Nov 11, 2011, 12:00
Quarter Horse
AQHA World Show - A REAL Look Behind the Scenes
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| Tiny Two Bits. (Journal photo) |
Tiny Two Bits travels to the World Show and tells everyone what REALLY goes on behind the scenes.
Hi.
You might already know Two Bits, the AQHA mascot.
Well, I’m Tiny Two Bits, his shorter cousin. I’m small enough that I was able to sneak into all the hidden places at the AQHA World Championship Show, and I’m ready to let you in on everything that happens behind the scenes in Oklahoma City.
I started my trip behind the scenes with a little bit of a public tour: I went to the AQHA booth in the Travel & Transportation building at State Fair Park. There, AQHA’s LaDonna Wilkinson and Tammy Canida searched for my official registration papers. They didn’t find anything right away, but I’m sure they’ll help me out as soon as I send in that parentage verification form. Those of us in the know call it the “PV” form. When I get home, I’ll go dig mine out.
Nov 11, 2011, 11:32
Quarter Horse
Solid Team at the Top Again
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| The 2011 team penning world champions: Louis Saggione and Sprats Cat, Justin Underwood and Swinglo, Grady Underwood and Somebodys Riata. (Journal photo) |
The longtime Texas-based team of brothers Justin and Grady Underwood, and Louis Saggione III had the top spot coming out of the team penning prelims, penning three cattle in 25.552.
They ended up with three sets of horses in the November 8 finals – fourth, eighth and 12th in the go.
But it would be their last team that would come in first: They penned three cattle in 36.166 to solidly capture the 2011 open team penning title.
The three men are familiar faces at the AQHA World Championship Show. Grady and Louis are the returning ranch sorting champs, and Justin finished third in the 2010 team penning. Louis was also part of the championship team penning team in 2008 and as a youth in 2001.
The Journal caught up with the new champs just before they headed back into the Jim Norick arena to compete in the open ranch sorting. Here’s a little of what they had to say.
Nov 11, 2011, 11:22
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