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Charles Wilhelm’s “Ultimate Super Horse ChallengeTM”
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23 April 2013
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23 April 2013
Posted in
Articles
In a thrilling, down-to-the-wire fence work finish leading NRCHA professional Ron Emmons claimed his second consecutive World's Greatest Horseman Championship aboard Olena Oak (Smart Chic Olena x Fritzs Oak E Doakie), a 2002 stallion owned in partnership between Nichole Scott and Emmons' wife, LaDona Emmons. Emmons and Olena Oak scored a 219.5 in the herd work, a 214.5 in the rein work, a 221.5 in the steer-stopping and 219 in the cow work. While they did not place first in any of the events, the steady stream of above-average scores added up to the winning 874 composite total on four events. "I'm ecstatic," Emmons said, following the win. "I'm just excited. It's a great deal and a great event, with great horses to compete against. To be able to get by those guys and win a prize is pretty awesome."
In an age when many horse shows across the country are struggling, The Arizona Sun Country Circuit has seen explosive growth. This year’s nine-day event, held January 26th through February 3rd, posted over 17,000 AQHA entries and 20,728 total entries from all over the US and Canada. That represents growth of 46% since the 2010 Sun Circuit. Not only are there more horses showing at Scottsdale’s WestWorld facility, there are more classes and events in which they can show. This year saw the addition of Cowboy Mounted Shooting, big money in the Smart Boons Fence Work Challenge and Self Shine Reining Stakes, Green Western Pleasure Stakes, the Ulcer Gard Green Hunter Under Saddle Stakes, the Abbott Fine Properties Hunter Derby, and a 4D Barrel Racing Sweepstakes.