Wrapping up the 50th Annual Ford AQHYA World

from SouthWest Horse Trader - September 2022 Issue

That’s a wrap on the 2022 Ford AQHYA World Championship Show! This year’s Ford AQHYA World was held July 28 - August 7 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. More than 4,400 entries and 157 first time exhibitors attended the 50th anniversary of the show.

AQHYA exhibitors competed for 44 world championships, 40 Adequan® Level 2 championships and 13 Nutrena Level 1 Champion of Champions titles.

For the first time in the 50-year history of the show, AQHA offered all-around titles for both the 14-18 and 13-&-Under divisions; Adequan® Level 2 core classes for 13-&-Under exhibitors; Nutrena Level 1 Champion of Champions classes; and optional jackpots with cash payouts totaling over $77,000, paid onsite at the event.

The 2021 youth year-end high-point winners were recognized during their corresponding classes during the Ford AQHYA World.

AQHYA 14-18 All-Around

**Brooke Jolstad & Betta Belive It**
Shane Rux

The 2022 14-18 AQHYA All-Around winner is Brooke Jolstad of Denver, CO, who showed Betta Believe It. The 2012 brown gelding by Too Sleepy To Zip and out of Only Showin Off, is owned by Julie Jolstad of Denver, CO, and was bred by Anthony and Christina Curiale of Swedesboro, NJ. Jolstad and Betta Believe It earned 46 points in the 14-18 Level 3 all-around competition.

The Reserve 14-18 AQHYA All-Around winner is Alexa Victoria Black of Springfield, OH, who showed Huntin A Hot Cowgirl.

AQHYA 13-&-Under All-Around

**Emma Grace Gore & KM Genuinely Best**
Shane Rux

The 2022 AQHYA 13-&-Under AllAround winner is Emma Grace Gore of Croton, OH, who showed KM Genuinely Best. The 2014 red roan gelding by RL Best Of Sudden and out of Genuine Goodbar, was bred by John Narmont of Auburn, IL. In Level 3 competition, the duo earned 72 points in the 13-&-Under all-around competition.

The Reserve 13-&-Under All-Around is Isabella Buckley of Hampstead, NC, who showed Shes Rockin My Dream.

AQHYA Contests

Action at the OKC Fairgrounds continued outside of the arena, too. The AQHYA Horse Judging Contest, Justin boots and Wrangler jeans decorating, speech and art/photo contests were just some of the contests offered. Throughout the show, Ford AQHYA World teams also competed for points in a team spirit contest.

The 2022 youth teams were recognized during the Parade of Teams in the Jim Norick Arena. Also recognized in the arena were the American Quarter Horse Foundation Scholarship recipients, Ford AQHYA World contest winners and the 2022-23 AQHYA Executive Committee.

Youth Activities Scholarship

The American Quarter Horse Foundation awarded two $1,000 youth activities scholarships to Alexa Gerdes of Dodge City, KS, and Cassandre Ehrle of Chino Hills, CA. This scholarship is awarded by the American Quarter Horse Foundation to youth members in their last year of youth eligibility. The youth members also had to compete at the 2022 Ford AQHYA World in a Level 3 or Adequan® Level 2 class or in a designated AQHYA competition.

Ride the Patterns Clinics

AQHA Professional Horsemen volunteered their time to give free Ride the Pattern clinics, presented by Nutrena. These popular clinics gave exhibitors the perfect opportunity to learn how AQHA Professional Horsemen would approach a class or pattern. Thanks in part to Nutrena’s generosity to match the amount donated at the Ride the Pattern clinics dollar-for-dollar, the Professional Horsemen Endowment raised over $7,800.

Top Ranching Heritage Bred Horse Award

**Landri Lisac & Cat Walks Into A Bar**
Shane Rux

The 2014 gelding Cat Walks Into A Bar, bred by Garth and Amanda Gardiner of Whitesboro, TX, was named the Top AQHA Ranching Heritage-bred horse after Landri Lisac of Pueblo, CO piloted him to the top spot in the Level 3 Working Cow Horse at the 2022 Ford AQHYA World. Cat Walks Into A Bar is by WR This Cats Smart and out of the Shining Spark mare Sue C Shiner.

Event Coverage

If you were unable to join us in Oklahoma City or missed the free live webcast, be sure to check out daily replays and complete show results at www.aqha.com/youthworld. 🎠