In the first of our six-part series on what it takes to win a World Championship title Lane Kail tells how he prepared for the Western Pleasure class at the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) 2025 Youth World Show with his show partner, Batterang. Next up: Kenzie Bracken, a winner in Hunter Under Saddle at the American Paint Horse Association (APHA)Youth World Show.

When Scottsdale, Arizona competitor Lane Kail jogged down the center of the Coliseum at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds on Batterang, on his way to capturing a gold globe in Level 3 Western Pleasure at the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Youth World Show, he had one thing on his mind.

Trust the process.

His trainer, Casey Willis, told him right before the gate opened to “ride smart.”

“He said to be soft everywhere and not get too tight when it came to the lope,” Lane said.

The 19-year-old son of Ryan and Andrea Kail knows a little something about competing in Western Pleasure on a world scale. He made his debut in the event at the AQHA Youth Finals when he was just 13 years old and has competed in the event there six times, winning four Championship titles and two Reserves.

He said the most important advice he can give competitors is to “trust your trainer.”

“Do your homework, get your practices in – both in and out of the show pen,” Lane offered. “Watch some classes and get a feel for what you can showcase on your horse that judges are looking for at that show.  Also, try not to put a bunch of pressure on yourself and don’t make yourself nervous. It’s a lot easier to show good when you’re just thinking about you and your horse instead of worrying about where you are and who’s watching.”

Lane and Batterang (Judi), a 2017 brown gelding by Batt Man out of Lopen My Blues Away, have been a team since 2021,

 “Within five seconds of me riding him, we all knew he was the one,” Lane said. “His personality is amazing. He’s basically a giant puppy who always wants your attention and wants everything to be all about him. Out of all the horses I’ve shown he has the most expression out of all of them. He is just a blast to show and he always knows when it’s a major and he needs to be on his best behavior.”

To prepare for the 2025 AQHA Youth World Show Lane and Batterang did a lot of loping off the rail.

“Every time I practiced I never got on the rail because we knew Judi was good on or off, but I needed to be able to stay consistent no matter where I was in the arena,” he explained. “We also did a lot of work in the show arena (mostly middle of the night, since that was the only time it was open). Casey did more nights than I did.”

Lane also likes to watch Western Pleasure classes that go before his and get a feel for what the judges are looking for.

“That gives me an idea of how I need to try to show,” he said. “Most importantly, I trusted and listened to my horse trainer. I knew Casey would have Judi ready and that really helped calm my nerves so I could focus on getting my horse shown and putting him in spots to get seen by the judges.”

As show time grew closer, Lane mapped out his strategy.

“My game plan was to go for it,” he said. “It was my last try at a Youth World Show and I didn’t want to hesitate too long when they called for a different gait. I planned to just setup and go.  I hoped we could pull out one more gold globe but I mainly just wanted to have a fun ride on my main man and make Casey and (his wife) Miss Deanna proud.”

Lane said the most challenging part of the class was loping on the left lead.

“They had us lope what felt like forever and trying to keep a horse consistent for that long I think is challenging since all horses get a bit more fresh when they get into the arena,” he explained. “Lucky for me, Judi got better and better with every step although I was getting hot and tired.”

Lane said that he thinks what sets his horse apart from others for the judges is that he’s an amazing and very natural mover. 

“He makes a great first impression when he extend trots down the center because he’s so clean-legged and has the cutest ‘look at me’ ears straight forward expression,” he said.  “Also, his lope to the left is just beautiful, because he’s so soft. He has agreat headset and has so much expression going around the arena.  His consistency is what sets him apart as well. He really is a ‘pleasure’ to show.”