Madison Montchal of Atalissa, Iowa, and her 8-year-old gelding Playing With Effort came into the barrel finals in fourth place, marking a time of 17.268 in the prelims on August 2. As they entered the arena, Will Bingham and Iam A Venterized Man had just moved to the lead with a combined time of 34.685. But with three turns around the barrels and a sprint back to the gate, 10-year-old Madison ended up with a combined time of 34.319 to win her first Ford Youth World championship. The Journal caught up with Madison after the awards ceremony to ask her about her winning run.
Q. Tell me about your barrel run.
I went a little bit long on my first barrel and I kind of backed up all the way in the alleyway but otherwise I thought it was really good and it was perfect and the way it needed to be.
Q. What was your strategy going into the finals?
My strategy was just to do what I needed to do to make that run. Just what I needed so I could win that trophy or get reserve or third, but I needed that run.
Madison Montchal and Playing With Effort round the last barrel in the Ford Youth World barrel racing finals.
Q. Tell me what you love about your horse, Playing With Effort.
Pee Wee is just so calm and so nice and sweet. He’s just so nice to be around. You can pet on him and love on him all you want to.
Q. How does it feel to win your first Ford Youth World championship?
It feels pretty sweet. Pretty awesome. It’s AQHA and my trainer Lance Graves was here last year at the World Show and won on the horse Famous Ed, so he kind of got me into it and got me all excited to come here and try to win it. It’s just really exciting for me. (AQHA Pro Horseman Lance Graves won the 2007 world championship in junior barrel racing on Famous Ed.)
Q. Who would you like to thank for helping you win this world championship?
My mom, my dad, my brothers, my trainer, Lance, Stacy and everybody that helps train me and everybody that is in my family.
BETCHA DIDN'T KNOW Madison is also competes in volleyball and track. She says the sports help her in with her barrel racing by keeping her fit.
WINNER STATS
Horse name: Playing With Effort Pedigree: 2000 gelding by Special Effort x Playing With Cash by Takin On The Cash Exhibitor/Owner: Madison Montchal, Atalissa, Iowa Trainer: Lance Graves, Hartshorne, Oklahoma
Total class entries: 88 Sponsored by Metro Golf Cars
