No Accident OQH was the first horse in the pen for open jumping, and he held sway, winning with a sizzling finish in the final round.

Ridden by trainer Charles Carrel for owners Tim and Kathy Bauer, the 11-year-old bay gelding jumped clean to open the class, then returned in the jump-off to score another clean round in just over 33 seconds. Known around the barn as “Josh,” this is his first world championship. In 2005 and 2004, he finished ninth and eighth, respectively.

“Going double clean was our goal, and we happened to achieve world champion,” Kathy said. “That was one of our struggles, we could never get through the first round; we always had a rail in the first round. His jump-offs are always extremely fast.”

Charles Carrel takes No Accident OQH through the jumping course.

The Bauers purchased the horse two years ago so they could learn to jump. The couple, who run a tack business, both compete on the horse. Kathy, who has competed successfully in multiple breed world shows, hopes to show the horse next year in amateur classes. Tim shows him at “A” circuit shows.

“He was the first to go, and we were really worried about that,” Kathy said. “He was the first to go clean. His round was really soft. He absolutely cleared every fence with no problem. He’s very professional and knows his job really well.”

The 11-year-old stallion Dr Hollywood DVM, ridden by Virginia Hames for owner Dr. Michael J. Wiley, was the reserve champion. The stallion finished fourth last year and third the year before. In 2003, he was the world champion.

Bred by Owen Candy of Longmont, Colorado, No Accident OQH is by the Race Filler stallion Ima Soul Mate. He is out of the Camp Town Boy mare Up Town Etta. The mare also produced stakes-winning racehorse Town Native and Lots Of Rhythm, who placed 10th in equitation over fences at the 1999 AQHYA World Championship Show.

“He’s just got so much heart,” Kathy said. “This horse has so much ability. He’s not very big (15.2 hands), he’s the smallest horse of all of them out here, but he absolutely gives you his heart and soul when you jump.”

The Bauers have been with their trainer for more than four years.

“Charlie and Hillary Carrel are just the most amazing people you’ll ever meet,” Kathy said. “They come from very diversified backgrounds, but they both have the strongest integrity and talent you’ll ever find. They were the ones that truly believed in this horse. Charlie found this horse, believed and knew he could do it, and it became a matter of when he got it right, then it was going to be his year. And this was his year.”