Youth from across the globe have gathered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for the American Quarter Horse Association’s Youth World Show.

The event, held July 31-Aug. 8, at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds is the pinnacle event for American Quarter Horse exhibitors ages 18 and under around the world, who must qualify for the event by earning a predetermined number of points to compete in each of the classes representing Halter, English and Western disciplines.

More than 2,150 entries from the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden and United Kingdom are competing for 35 World Championships at this year’s event.

Judges this year include Pierre Briere, Stockton, New Jersey; Randall Butler, Gainesville, Texas; Steve Cruse, Pilot Point, Texas; Lainie DeBoer, Saint Paul, Minnesota; Jim Dudley, Columbia, Missouri; Tim Finkenbinder, Collinsville, Texas; Dianne Grod, Oceanside, California; Bobby Harrison, Vancleave, Mississippi; Faron Hightower, Santo, Texas; Holly Hover, Cave Creek, Arizona; Owana Hutchens, Porter, Oklahoma; Luke Jones, Allerton, Iowa; Jennifer Leckey, Richmond, Indiana; Larry Little, Mebane, North Carolina; Tom Lyons, Grandview, Texas; Chele McGauly, Elm Grove, Louisiana; Bruce Richerson, Alexandria, Louisiana; Charles “Chuck” Smith, Canal Winchester, Ohio; John Tuckey, Liberty, Kentucky; Jeff Petska, Collinsville, Texas; Randy Wilson, Zanesville, Ohio.

First up this year was Performance Halter Mares. This year the golden globe went to Chealsea Martz, of Blacklick, Ohio, and Onlythebestchocolate, sired by RL Best of Sudden and out of Chocolate Only. Reserve Champions in the class were Katie Bussing, of Evansville, Indiana, and CK Mardi Gras, by CK Kid and out of Tardee Cool Trouble. The bronze globe went to Lighten Up Rainbo, by Lighten It Up and out of Rain Bo Acres, shown by Carley Shockley, of Church Creek, Maryland.

“When they call your number out it’s always a shock,”  Martz says. “Even when they are down to the last few people you are still like ‘Are you sure they are actually going to call me?’ I have been showing Hershey for almost four years now. She loves peppermints more than life itself and really enjoys sleeping, in fact she’s probably sleeping right now.”

The next class to go in the Jim Norick Arena was the Performance Halter Geldings. Taking home the World Championship was Sophia McKay, of Newburgh, Indiana, showing The Kids Story, sired by The Amarillo Kid and out of Perpetual Story. The Reserve World Title went to Sabrina Searles, of Winter Garden, Florida, and HL Radical, by Just Me Only and out of Radical Kisses. Third place honors went to Sammie Johnson, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, with Flashy Invite, by Invitation Only and out of Ms Flashy Goodbar.

The final event for the day was Aged Geldings. Top honors in the class went to RPL My Te Cheerful, by Hear The Cheers and out of My Te Telusive, shown by Monica Hamm of Phoenix, Arizona. Second place was Ireland Cofrancesco, of Sparta, New Jersey, showing Vincenzo Zini, sired by Fabio Zini and out of Sheza Virtuous Lady. Third place was Kaylee Hamm, of Phoenix, Arizona, showing Boys N Toys, by Mr Touchdown Kid and out of Forever Coolest.

“I have been waiting a few years to hear my named called out, butI was so excited for my sister who was third that I had a hard time hearing that my number was called.” McKay says. “I have been showing RPL My Te Cheerful for six years now any his favorite snack is Cutie oranges and Gatorade. He’s also a real sucker for ice pops.”

For full results from today’s events at the AQHYA World Show go to http://www.aqha.com/Showing/Youth-World/Results.aspx

After the finals of the Halter classes it was time for the Western Riding preliminaries to begin. There was a total of 79 entries for this event and the top 15 will return tomorrow to face off in the finals. Meanwhile in the Performance Arena the preliminaries of the Hunter Hack were held. There were 58 entries in the class and the finals will take place in the Jim Norick Arena on Aug. 2.