Team USA Wins hard-fought battle for 2014 Youth World Cup

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Team USA came out on top at the 2014 American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup.

After a second full day of international competition July 12, the top teams and riders were recognized July 13 during an awards brunch for the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup.

First up was recognition for the top all-around horse of the event, Zippin Awesome, a 2004 sorrel gelding shown by Team Germany. “Murphy” is by Awesome Conclusion and out of Catalina Zip by Zippo Pat Bars. He was bred by David L. Wiggin Jr. of Aubrey, Texas, and is owned by Semmie Wicker of Tupelo, Mississippi, who shows him in all-around events. The horse is trained by AQHA Professional Horseman Mark Dunham, who led several clinics during Youth World Cup.

“I am missing him so much,” Semmie said, “but the Youth World Cup is probably one of the best things for the future of AQHA and the horses we all love, and I know they took great care of him. It is so much fun to watch your horse out there.”

Murphy was in the top 10 in most classes he was entered in for Team Germany, and he won hunter under saddle July 10 and fourth July 12 with Laura Weber, who was the overall hunter under saddle champion of the show. They were also the winners in showmanship July 10. Jan-Niklas Barre showed the horse in trail and western pleasure for Germany.

“I took (July 10) off to watch,” Semmie said, adding that she shed a few teras when Murphy two gold medals. “I worked extra on Sunday and the night before so I could be glued to the webcast.”

Every two years, Youth World Cup asks AQHYA members to represent their countries on horses they have never ridden before and often in events they have never competed in. The teams are made up of five riders who have been assigned a set of five donated horses for the event, which began July 3. The riding members of the team and up to five leadership team youth, who don’t ride at the show, have responsibility for the care of those horses.

This year, 16 countries competed: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The competition started July 7 with two cutting shows. On July 10 and 12, all-around horse shows had showmanship, hunter under saddle, hunt seat equitation, western pleasure, horsemanship, trial and western riding. The reining class July 11 had two judges, which counted as two shows. After all the competition, final points were calculated.

“You’re all winners, just by being here,” said Pete Kyle, AQHA executive director of shows and judges, during the awards breakfast. “You are the future of AQHA.”

Team standings

  1. USA – 158 points
  2. Germany – 142 points
  3. Australia – 116 points

Champion riders were:

  • Cutting – Jan-Niklas Barre, Germany
  • Reining – Dino Lulli, Italy
  • Showmanship – Shayley Beaton, Canada
  • Hunter under saddle – Laura Weber, Germany
  • Hunt seat equitation – Kalee McCann, USA
  • Western pleasure – Lana Kelderman, Australia
  • Horsemanship – Carli Pitts, USA
  • Western riding – Liz Stors, Luxembourg
  • Trail – Gina Victoria Lia Ulveie, Norway

 

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