There were two firsts this evening: Halter occupied an evening time slot and Phenomenal Ms, owned by Rita Crundwell of Dixon, Illinois, captured her first open world championship.

AQHA Professional Horseman Buddy Laney of Cherryville, North Carolina, thought the evening schedule boosted the 4-year-old sorrel mare’s championship chances.

“I felt good about her chances because of this being the first time they have ever had halter at night,” Buddy said. “This mare is really correct and good legged. She can show anytime of day. I thought that was on her side.”

Buddy Laney and Phenomenal Ms with all their spoils.

Phenomenal Ms was grand champion reserve aged mare at the 2006 Congress, 2005 amateur reserve world champion 3-year-old mare, and 2004 amateur world champion 2-year-old mare. The only thing her resume lacked was an open world championship. That gap is now filled.

“It was really big tonight,” Buddy said. “We’ve had her for three years and she has won the world twice and been grand at the Congress in amateur but she’s never won the world in open until today. They really like this mare.”

True to her nickname, “Hemi” fired on all cylinders tonight.

“We call her Hemi because she’s got such a big motor,” Buddy said. “Ever since day one, she’s been one of those horses that loves to work.”

Buddy was unsure of Hemi’s future.

“I don’t know if she (Rita Crundwell) will bring her back and show her or if she will turn her out and let her be a broodmare,” Buddy said.