Melissa Hood

In 2009, Hood, who resides in Columbia, Mo., rode Watch This Way (Lena My Way x Whisper Shay Rondo x Rickashay Rondo) in her first Select World Show, and the duo won the Championship during their debut with a score of 217. This year, Hood and the 2001 sorrel stallion came back for their second try at the title and outdid themselves, improving with every run. They won the prelims with a score of 219.5 and marked a 220 in the finals to win.

Watch This Way has earned AQHA Superior awards in both Open and Amateur reining, and he has $33,555 in lifetime earnings, according to Equi-Stat. In 2007, Watch This Way was the Intermediate Non-Pro Champion at the NRHA Futurity.

The Reserve Champion was Tamra Kyle, Whitesboro, Texas, riding Remenic N Poco, the 6-year-old palomino gelding she owns with her husband and trainer, Pete Kyle. Remenic N Poco (Reminic Dunit x Champs Poco Girl x Bonanza’s Champ) and Tamra marked a 217 for the Reserve Championship. Tamra also won third place in the reining, marking a 216.5 with her 9-year-old gelding Smart Great Dude (Smart Starbuck x Miss Great Dude x Great Pine).