By Larri Jo StarkeyThe American Quarter Horse JournalJuly 7, 2012
Lavert Avent wins open Versatility Ranch Horse and accepts his spurs from AQHA Executive Committee Member George Phillips. (Journal Photo) For more photos, scroll to the bottom.
A long day of showing began at 9 a.m. July 7 at Battle in the saddle when the Versatility Ranch Horse competition started with an old-school feel. The first two classes in the event – ranch riding and ranch trail – were moved to a grassy area outside the coliseum at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. Judges and scribes were parked in the back of pickups, while spectators sat in their vehicles and unfolded lawn chairs under trees. At the end of competition that included herd work, working ranch horse and ranch conformation, winners were named in open and amateur. Baru Spiller of Wingate, Texas, topped amateur competition on Western Sequel, a 2005 buckskin mare by Ikes Double Drift and out of Western Lena by Mr Sun O Lena. The mare was bred by Burnett Ranches of Fort Worth, Texas. The win in open went to Gallo Poco Cross, owned and bred by Robert Norris of T-Cross Ranches in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Lavert Avent rode the 2006 gray stallion by Mr Gallo Del Cielo and out of Jose Poco Cross by Smokin Jose. For more from the competition, be sure to look for the September issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal.
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