The future of the horse industry starts with the youth and this year the Congress added a new class for Small Fry exhibitors – Hunt Seat Equitation.

These young riders 9 years old or younger, with legs that barely reach the saddle pad, gave it their all as they negotiated a challenging pattern that included weaving cones and changing diagonals.

As each of the 24 entries stepped up to the start cone there were smiles from ear to ear. When each pattern was complete the crowd went wild. After the pattern work the judges called the top 20 to come back and show the rail work.

As the announcer revealed the winner of the Congress trophy, award jacket and a paycheck of $100, a little girl wrapped her arms around her horse’s neck gave her a kiss and went trotting up to collect her loot.

That little girl was Evelyn Stein, of Columbia City, Indiana, riding Fancy My Details, a 2007 chestnut mare she calls “Leggs.”

“I have worked very, very hard and had a lot of late night practices to get ready for this class” Stein said.

Evelyn and Legs, who were competing at the Congress for the first time together this year, also placed 15^th in Showmanship on Saturday.

“Legs always tries her hardest for me no matter what class we are showing in,” Evelyn said.

Evelyn and Legs train and show under the direction of Seth and Cassandra Marlatt of Indiana.

“Evelyn is a very hardworking little girl and has the determination of a champion,” Cassandra Marlatt said.

Also collecting Congress wins today were Kenny Lakins and Ima Fancy Schmancy in the tough Open Western Longe Line class of 27 entries. Owned by Randy and Kim Haines of Lima, Ohio, Ima Fancy Schmancy is sired by Batt Man and is out of Congress Champion Ima Fancy Version. She and Randy Haines also won the Non-Pro Western Longe Line on Saturday.

John Lorton, of Indianapolis, Indiana, bred, raised, trained and showed A Kept Woman, a 2013 brown mare, sired by Keeping It Good and out of the mare, No Time To Be Blue (by Skys Blue Boy), to a win in the Open English Longe Line Stakes class, taking home a check for $2,100.72. Pretty Assets, owned by Amy Brosch and shown by Kathie Kennedy captured Reserve Championship honors in the 14-entry class.

Results are being posted at www.oqha.com/aaqhc/results

For a live stream from the Congress visit: www.iequine.com

For a look at candid photos from the Congress Click Here