In a pen of 16, Sarah Smith of Kechi, Kansas, and RPL Ms Cheerful took home a world championship in 3-year-old mares. It was the first for the big sorrel mare but not for Sarah, who has won Select world championships four times previously. The Journal caught up with Sarah shortly after she got her championship photo snapped and asked her to talk about her winning run.

Q. Tell me about RPL Ms Cheerful.

“Cheer” has been so much fun to show this year. She’s a great mare. She’s kind and just fun to show. She was reserve at the (2008 Ford) Youth World and we were tickled with that. Our whole family is overwhelmed. She’s just been fun. It’s been a good year. We’re just happy to own her. She’s a great mare.

Q. Is this your first world championship?

No, ma’am. I have several Select world championships and it’s all been fun. Every one of them is fun and exciting. This is a great show. People I don’t even know are congratulating me and watching me. It’s awesome. It’s just fun.

Sarah Smith and RPL Ms Cheerful won the Select world championship in 3-year-old mares.

Q. As they called out the placings in your class, how did you feel?

I was hopeful and nervous because there were three really good mares left in the pen. I was really nervous. And then it was two really good mares. Rita Crundwell’s mare (Shes Coolest) is wonderful, and I love Rita. It was kind of like, “I want to win, but I don’t want to beat my friend.” But when they called her out, then I started crying. It was a great pen of mares, and it was exciting to win.

Q. Your son, Jason Smith, is your trainer. How does that work?

Wonderful! It’s a big fun time. My daughter-in-law, my grandchildren, we all show. We have a big fun time. He makes it fun, and he always has my horses really broke. It’s fun and exciting. So it makes it worth doing.

Q. Anyone you want to thank?

My son, Jason, and my other two children – Jarrod and Jamie -- who surprised me last night and came to watch me show. Jarrod flew in from Wyoming, and Jamie came in from Kansas. That was very exciting. It’s an early birthday present.