When Mike Major loaded his trailer after the Western Horseman Stock Horse World Show, he had not just one, but two World Champion horses in tow. Riding in two different divisions, Major proved consistency was key over four days of competition Oct. 26-30 in Abilene, Texas.
Major and Pool Stik dominated the Junior division. The pair won both go-rounds of competition, and went home with a World Champion buckle, a Go-Round Buckle, an STS Ranch Wear Vest, neck wreath and prizes from Classic Equine, as well as a $200 Gift Certificate courtesy of Sara and Danny Crowl. Pool Stik (Chica Shine x Hope Stik x Rails Skipper Pine) was also the winner of the Texas Triple Threat, an incentive program rewarding Texas owned, Texas shown and Texas bred horses. Owner Ronnie Shelby of Perrin, Texas, received $2,500 as the owner of the top Texas Triple Threat horse.
Major’s second world title was in the Open division. Raised On It won the first go-round of competition and was reserve in the second go to rein in the world champion title. Added money of $3,000 in the Open division earned the Woody Be Tuff gelding a payday of $1,474. They also toted home a bag full of prizes to add to their winnings. Bred by Center Ranch, the son of the mare CR Shes Uh Secret (by Peptosboonsmal) is owned by Willow Oak Plantation of Thomasville, Georgia.
Stock Horse Derby
A highlight of the 5-day show was the Ordner Insurance / American Reliable Insurance Stock Horse Derby. With $10,000 added courtesy of the title sponsor, entries grew by 100% this year, with a payout of over $28,000. Top reined cow horse MC Cowhammer and Trevor Carter earned top billing in the Open Derby, taking home $3,800 for the win. MC Cowhammer is a 2015 stallion by Metallic Cat and out of Gunsmart Gay (by Playgun) who is owned by his breeders, the Bogle Brothers, LLC of Dexter, New Mexico.
The Derby reserve championship went to Pow Pow Pepto, piloted by Ben Baldus and owned by Jonathan and Laura Yarbrough. The gelding earned $3,175 in the Derby, including topping the 4-year-old incentive.
The Derby Limited Non-Pro went to Youth Rider Treylyn Hancock of Wharton, Texas, and her gelding Slyd My Way, earning $3,419. Bred by Tom and Lorna Neel, of Millsap, Texas, Slyd My Way is by Zezes Pepto Cat and out of Pastels Play Girl (by Pastels Smart Lena). The Limited Non-Pro Reserve title went to Teghan Brooks of Lubbock, Texas, and Vons Judgement (by Taris Judge), earning $2,547 plus the Zinn Lindsey college scholarship.
“The versatility of our horses and people continue to raise the bar in the Western horse industry. Well over 3,000 judged runs, multiple showcase events, almost 700 head of cattle, cash and prizes stacked deep and all on schedule!” Stock Horse of Texas President William Lewis said in a statement. “We saw a lot of new faces, too. It was a great culmination to 2021, and we look forward to 2022.”
Stock Horse of Texas World Champions
In total, more than $92,000 in cash and prizes were awarded, including Classic Equine prize packages, Ultra Cruz gift certificates, Skyline Silversmith Buckles and more.
Other world champions include:
- Level 1 Open: Becky Horlen on TAMU Jazzy Lilclancy (by Chicoutmyblingbling)
- Non-Pro: Stefani Wagley riding Precious Metalz (by Metallic Cat)
- Limited Non-Pro: Larry Walker on Boots Be Tuff (by Woody Be Tuff)
- Intermediate Non-Pro: Oteka Gibson and Cromeplated Sidekick (by Starbucks Sidekick)
- Novice: Emma Thrasher and Shiners Smoking Whiz (by Smoking Whiz)
- Youth: Will Lewis and Spookin Jay (by Smart Spook)
- Novice Youth: Katherine Wickersham riding Dan San Sonita (by Peppys San Two)
- Collegiate Non-Pro: Addison Coutts on Sioux Per Boom (by A Shiner Named Sioux)
- Collegiate Limited: Kirsten Wood with Moonshine N My Blood (by SDP Blue Blood)
- Collegiate Novice: Grace Blackwell and Sporty Gonehollywood (by Hollywoodstinseltown)
- Collegiate Division 1 Team: Texas Tech University
- Collegiate Division 2 Team: Clarendon College
Complete results from each go-round and a list of all the sponsors who made the show possible are available at www.stockhorsetexas.org.
