First AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Champions Crowned in Denver

The American Quarter Horse Journal, January 18, 2008 – History was made in Denver as Sixes Pick and Chance D. O’Neal won the open world title and Peppy Chex Your Gun and Terri Cooper won the amateur world title at the inaugural AQHA Fort Dodge Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships. The event took place at the National Western Stock Show in Denver January 16-17, 2008.

Sixes Pick is a 10-year-old sorrel stallion bred and owned by Burnett Ranches LTD of Fort Worth, Texas. The homebred stallion won the ranch trail and ranch conformation classes, placed second in ranch cutting, finished third in working ranch horse and was fourth in ranch riding to earn 44 points, 10 more than reserve world champion Smart Whiskey Doc, who was exhibited by owner Mike Majors of Fowler, Colorado. Sixes Pick is by Tanquery Gin and out of the Tenio Badger mare Natural Pick.

Peppy Chex Your Gun is owned by Clayt Cooper of Otis, Colorado

. The 8-year-old sorrel stallion won the ranch trail class, placed second in the working ranch horse, finished third in ranch cutting, ranch riding and ranch conformation. He earned 43 points, five more than reserve world champion Little Bell Pepper, who was shown by Betty Lou Valdez. Bred by Michael and Victoria Simmons of Parker, Colorado, Peppy Chex Your Gun is by Young Gun and out of the Peppy San Chex mare La Osas Peppychex.
The sorrel stallions are the first world champions crowned in versatility ranch horse competition. Fort Dodge Animal Health, the official equine vaccine manufacturer of AQHA and a corporate partner since 2005, is the title sponsor of the event.

“The American Quarter Horse is known as the world’s most versatile breed, and the AQHA Fort Dodge Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships highlight the athletic prowess and mental ability of American Quarter Horses to perform many tasks well,” AQHA Executive Vice President Bill Brewer said. “I congratulate the owners and exhibitors of Sixes Pick and Peppy Chex Your Gun on making history in Denver, and I want to extend my sincere thanks to all the people at the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo for the outstanding hospitality we enjoyed.”

The versatility ranch horse competition demonstrates the

versatility of the working ranch horse in five categories – ranch riding, ranch trail, ranch cutting, working ranch horse and ranch conformation. The versatility ranch horse competition promotes the athletic ability and versatility of the horse. To learn more about the versatility ranch horse competition, visit www.aqha.com/showing/divisions/versatility.html.

The World Champions each received a custom-designed gold-tone trophy, courtesy of Fort Dodge AQHA VRH World Championship Show; sterling silver buckle with 14-karat gold overlay, courtesy of Montana Silversmiths; a specially designed logoed jacket and world champion patch, courtesy of Cripple Creek Outerwear; and a neck wreath.