The 2007 Ford AQHYA World Championship Show was the last for Rebekah Kazakevicius. It was also her final chance to win a youth world title.

But she knew if she was ever going to win one, it would be with Cool Assets, a 6-year-old gelding who was the 2005 junior hunter under saddle world champion with trainer Allison Clark aboard.

“I just wanted to try to have a ride like she did when she won,” Rebekah said. “I just wanted to show that this is my horse and this is what he can do.”

And she did.

With more than 100 horses entered in the Ford Youth World hunter under saddle classes, Rebekah and “Nemo” were one of 15 chosen to return to the finals on August 11. They entered the John Justin Arena confidently and moved with grace and style through the gaits.

“I just love this horse,” Rebekah said. “I love this horse because he has so much personality. You look at him, and it’s like he’s so cute. He’s a loving horse. He gives 100 percent every time.”

As the placings were announced, Rebekah found herself in a familiar place as it came down between her and Kristina Papendick.

“I was second last year to Kristina,” Rebekah said.

But this year, Kristina and Must Be A Detail were named reserve champions. Rebekah had finally won a youth world championship.

“My goal this year was to come back and do better than I did last year and I did,” she said with a smile. “And what made it even more special was that my parents could come too. My dad hasn’t seen me show for a really long time.”

Rebekah plans on taking the fall off before entering college in the spring.

“I’m going to finish the Reichert Celebration, the Breeders Championship Futurity and the Congress,” she said. “He’ll be shown at the World Show by Allison again, too. I have high hopes for him. Hopefully, he can do as well as he did here.”