Denny Strickland was riding on “hope” August 10.

The Jonesboro, Arkansas, teen had made it back to the western pleasure finals at the Ford AQHYA World Championship Show on his parents’ mare, Hope By Invitation. This was the sixth Ford Youth World for Denny, and he was hoping to win his first world championship. He knew “Hope” was the horse to do it for him.

“She’s one of a kind,” the 17-year-old said. “There’s nothing like this horse. She’s amazing.”

But how was he to get Hope to stand out from the other 14 horses in the class?

 “I knew she had it in her to win this,” Denny said. “The pressure was on, and I knew I just had to stay calm. I knew I needed to do my best to show her to the best of her ability.”

As each placing was announced and the field grew smaller, Denny eventually found himself standing in the middle of John Justin Arena with Amber Cox and Im Sparking Hot on one side and Conner Pine and Ms Flashy Goodbar on the other.

Conner was next to be called up, leaving Denny and Amber.

As the crowd fell quiet again, the announcer came over the load speaker.

“Ladies and gentleman, your reserve world champion in western pleasure is Amber Cox and Im Sparking Hot.”

Denny and Hope had won. He had his first world championship.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I’m excited I’m here, and I’ve won the Youth World.”

Denny’s father, Jerry, credit’s his son taking up horsemanship and western riding this year to help Denny reach his goal.

“He rode about three hours every day after school, except Mondays, and I think it showed up today,” Jerry said. “He sat up today and had a perfect ride. He didn’t have to touch her with his hand. They just looked like they were happy and they were fun to watch.”

However, Denny said the win was all because of Hope.

“She can do every gait as best as she can,” he said. “It’s like driving a Rolls Royce. There is nothing like it. She is something.”

His mother, Vickie, agrees.

“There is nothing like her,” she said. “She is the best horse we’ve ever seen in our lives, and we’ve been in the business for a long time. She’s the best legged thing we’ve ever seen. When she’s on, honestly, there is nothing that can beat her.”

But “hope” is on Denny’s mind again.

“I hope to bring her back again next year and again the year after that,” he said. “And I hope we can do it all over again.”