Aug. 4, 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY – University of South Carolina redshirt freshman Johnna Letchworth captured eighth place in western horsemanship at the Built Ford Tough American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show on Tuesday, August 3, in Oklahoma City.

Letchworth showed her American Quarter Horse, Izzy A Jack Bar, who is a sorrel gelding.

“We are so proud of Johnna for making it to the finals in horsemanship and finishing eighth,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “This is such a huge accomplishment for her, and we cannot wait for her to start showing for us this fall after redshirting last season.”

Western horsemanship is judged on the horsemanship abilities of the rider using western tack. This class is divided into two sections. Individually, riders must first follow a prescribed pattern. Riders could be asked to walk, jog or lope their horses in a straight line, curve or any combination. Finalists from the first portion of the class are then asked back into the arena as a group to show their horses around the perimeter of the arena or “on the rail.” Judges pay close attention to the riders’ body positions, how they sit a saddle and their ability to control the horse.

The Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show is the world’s largest, single-breed, youth world championship show. This is the pinnacle for youth around the world who must qualify for the event by earning a predetermined number of points to earn the right to compete in each of the 33 classes representing halter, English and western disciplines. The 2,402 entries at this year’s event represent competitors from the United States, Canada, Venezuela, Germany and the United Kingdom. The show is being held July 30 – August 7 at Oklahoma State Fair Park.

Izzy A Jack Bar is owned by Gretchen Mathes of Harwinton, Connecticut, and is sired by Zippo Jack Bar by Izzys Finest by Izzy Fine, bred by Hedy Levin of Sturgis, Michigan.

For more news from the Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show, visit www.aqha.com

Information & front page photo courtesy of Landi Campbell/The American Quarter Horse Journal.