3-Year-Old Geldings

Motavated and Steven Headley repeat as world champions.

by Larri Jo Starkey
The American Quarter Horse Journal

On August 26, Steven Headley of Bloomington, Indiana, picked up his first world championship of the day with Motavated but his second with the horse.

Got that?

In 2011, Steve and the 2009 bay gelding won 2-year-old geldings at the Adequan Select World Championship Show. This year, Steve and Motavated won 3-year-old geldings. Steve chugged a bottle of water, changed the number on his jacket, turned around and marched back into the Select World arena in Amarillo to win his second world championship in 2-year-old mares with Cauzin Trouble.

“You just have to take each horse as they come,” Steve said. “Each one’s a little bit different. Mares are a little bit more temperamental sometimes, but that’s OK.”

Steve knew Motavated had it in him to win the class – he was last year’s world champion, after all – but Motavated is also just fun to show.

“Our trainer, Doug Landon, and Lana Brooks, they always have him looking great,” Steve said. “We bought (Motavated) as a yearling from them, and he’s just Mr. Reliable. He’s my fun horse to show because he’s the same every time.”

Motavated doesn’t need any special gadgets to keep him interested in the show ring.

“He likes to show,” Steve said. “He’s one of those horses that loves to be in the pen. He pretty much did it for me. He’s a little bit of a ham.”

Motavated was bred by Robert Haas Jr. of McCordsville, Indiana. He’s by De Renzo and out of RH Shes Cool by RH Imprinted. Next up for the gelding is the AQHA World Championship Show with Steve daughter, Sarah.

“She’s ready to get her trophy now,” Steve said with a laugh. “She told me to hurry up and get out of the way. We just want to take it one day at a time, and we’re blessed to be able to do this.”

Steve and his wife, Kathy, co-own Motavated, and as a team, the longtime halter enthusiasts support the Jerry Wells Memorial Scholarship Fund.

“It was an honor. It goes for a good cause, and (Betty Wells is) a terrific lady,” Steve said.