August 10, 2001

East Beats West in Trail Lone Star Rises In Horsemanship, Reining

Erin Cecchini shuddered as if facing a brisk east wind in her native Connecticut. Only the quivering lips, shaking hands and tear streams followed a near perfect trail performance that netted her a youth world championship.

Cecchini's world championship run capped a four-year odyssey with her bay gelding Barmaids KC Legend that began after a slow introduction to trail. "He didn't know anything. He just had two trail points. But he's always so willing," she said, fighting back a cascade of tears and well wishes from fellow competitors.

The Middletown, Connecticut exhibitor logged a score of 360 to take the title. She topped the ride of Travis Hunter of Westminster, California and his sorrel gelding Classy Hobby Doc, who scored 287 to capture the reserve title.

In other competition, the only male in the 15-exhibitor final left Will Rogers Coliseum with a world championship in western horsemanship and a crush of hugs from fellow competitors and friends. Jason Atkinson, a 17-year-old from Lubbock, Texas, rode One Sock To Zip to the western horsemanship pentacle. The 11-year-old bay gelding registered a 330 to outscore the mighty team of Caroline Gunn and her black mare, Don't Skip MS Hotrod. The Greensburg, Indiana duo collected a score of 316.

"This is great. I can't think of anything more exciting," Atkinson said.

Richmond, Texas reiner Katie Forest jumped from her third place ride with Investment Advisor in the western horsemanship competition to score a world championship in the reining competition. The University of Texas student, on her bay mare, My Topsail Gal, cruised to the championship with a 215.5 run, just ahead of second place finisher, friend, teammate and fellow Richmond resident Breanna Vanderschaaf and Restless And Ready, her chestnut gelding.

For more information on the AQHYA World Championship Show, visit www.aqha.com.