Gretchen Stein and Designed to be Red
The 72nd National Appaloosa horse show and the Youth World Championship horse show was held June 23 to July 6, in Fort Worth, TX. Each year, top competitors from all over the country convene in Fort Worth to try for National Championship titles in Open and Non-Pro classes as well as Youth World Champion titles for a full slate of youth classes. This year, many members of the Keystone Appaloosa Club made the trip to Texas and the membership of this small club came home with more trophies than you can count.
Dr. Ted Zajac of Schnecksville, PA won the overall high point Master’s Non-Pro award. Dr. Zajac won four National Championships in the Master’s classes and one Reserve National Championship award on his horse No You Didn’t (Clint). Clint is no stranger to winning National Championships with several National and World Championships to his name. Dr. Zajac also won a National Championship with his yearling stallion, It’s A Country Thing, in the Non-Pro Hunter in Hand Stallions class. Both of these great horses were bred and raised by Dr. Zajac.
Evelyn Bitner of Columbus, NJ came home from Texas with the High Point Walk Trot 10 & Under award. Evelyn won the award on her 13-year-old mare, Charlsey. Evelyn, age 9, rides under the guidance of Gayle Matson of Hope Lock Farm in Easton, PA. To earn the award, Evelyn won a Reserve Youth World Championship in Showmanship 10 & Under and was a top 5 finisher in 5 other classes in her division.
Gretchen Stein of Bath, PA, attended the Youth World Show for the first time with her 2015 gelding, Designed to be Red. Most riders who go to their first big show just hope for good rides and a few ribbons. Gretchen and Red had an amazing first Youth World Show, coming home with four titles. Designed to be Red took home the National Champion trophy in Green Hunter Under Saddle. Gretchen and Red also came home with Youth World Champion Titles in Youth Hunter in Hand Geldings, Novice Youth Hunter under Saddle 14-18 and Youth Hunter under Saddle 16-18.
Alexus Hartman from McClure, PA brought home a half dozen Youth World Champion trophies. Alexus and Just Another Detail won the Youth World Championship title in Youth Working Hunter, Youth Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences, Handy Hunter, Youth Hunter Hack, English Showmanship 14-18 and Novice Hunt Seat Equitation 14-18. In addition to the trophies, she had top ten finishes in five other classes.
National Championships and Youth World Championships also went to: Elizabeth Horn and Impulsive Twist riding in Non Pro Hunt Seat Equitation and Non Pro Bareback Equitation, Jaimee Snippert for Heritage, Alexus Grogan and Silver N Chocolate for Youth Most Colorful at Halter, Olivia Johnson and Suddenly Blazin Hot in Trail 16-18, Ella MacGlashen and Chipnotized for Youth Walk Trot Hunt Seat Equitation 11 – 18 and Samantha Johnson and My Daddy’s Chocolatey for Youth Western Horsemanship 16-18.
Reserve National Championship and Reserve Youth World Championships went to these area riders: Elizabeth Horn and Impulsive twist for Non Pro Saddle Seat Equitation, Non Pro Saddle Seat Pleasure, Western Riding and Non Pro Western Riding, Holly Anderson and Frozen Highnee in Junior Ranch Riding, Sierra Kane and Chipnotized in English Showmanship, Olivia Johnson and Shez Got That Swing in Youth Hunter in Hand Mares, Ella MacGlashen and Chipnotized in Youth Walk Trot Horsemanship 11-18, Emily Snippert and Lookin to Heaven in Youth Heritage, Alissa Monetti and Zips Spot My Prince in Novice Hunt Seat Equitation 14-18 and Novice Showmanship and Abigail Astrin and Good Timin Charlie in Leadline 6 & Under.
Keystone Appaloosa Club members came home with too many top five and top ten placings to count. Congratulations to: Brooke Kuronya and Beautiful Mess, Chloe Sullivan and Speechless (also bred by Dr. Ted Zajac), Morgan Strickler and Ima Glowin Coco Chip, Aaron Snippert and One Hot Partee, Melissa Astrin and Good Timin Charlie, and Chris Fillippelli and Blazin Persuasion.
The 73rd annual Appaloosa National and Youth World Show will be held in Fort Worth, T from June 23, to July 4, 2020.