AQHA Pro Horseman Luke Castle of Wayne, Oklahoma, led A Phenomenal Mr to the championship win in 2-year-old geldings. By Call Me Phenomenal and out of Million Dollar Mr by Mr Conclusion, the horse is owned by Robert “Bob” Cooper of Snow Camp, North Carolina.

Luke Castle and A Phenomenal Mr win the 2006 world championship in 2-year-old geldings.

Bob’s grandson, Clint Cooper, was on hand for the win. He showed the gelding to a fourth-place finish at this year’s Ford AQHYA World Championship Show.

“We bought him from Danny Salzman (of Aubrey, Texas) as a weanling,” Clint said. “He’s real correct, very balanced.”

“I’ve known (the Coopers) about five or six years,” Luke said. “This is the first horse I’ve had for them. He’s a really good horse to work with, the kind you want to get.

“He’s real easy (to fit),” he continued. “He’s a true show horse. He gets in the arena and puts his ears up and shows.”

Luke has had him since the Ford Youth World.

“He’ll lick you to death if you don’t watch him,” Luke said. “But a good-natured horse, a good horse to be around. He likes to show.”

Luke said he doesn’t need much of anything to get expression from the horse, such as candy wrappers. The horse just always keeps his ears up.

“I had some spray today, and he got scared of it about half-way (through) and jumped,” Luke said with a smile. “But he’ll put his ears up, and he usually shows the whole time.”

“(I’d like to) thank Danny Salzman for letting me buy (this horse). And thank Luke for fitting him up and showing him,” Clint said.

What are his plans for the gelding now?

“I’ll probably take him home and show him (close to) the house,” Clint said.

And enjoy this trophy for a while?

“Yes, ma’am.”