A Sudden Impulse: Thursday, April 16, 2026 Featured Class Highlights 

Ocala, FL – A Sudden Impulse continued at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) with competition running through Saturday, April 18. Day three featured a full schedule of highlighted classes, including the $6,000 NSBA 3-Year-Old & Over $2,500 Limited Horse Open & Intermediate Open Western Pleasure, the $6,000 NSBA Maturity Non Pro & Intermediate Non Pro Western Pleasure, the $5,000 NSBA 4-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure, the $4,000 3-Year-Old & Older $2,500 Limited Horse, Limited Rider Open Hunter Under Saddle, the $4,000 NSBA 3-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure, along with the $5,000 NSBA Open Hunter Derby and the $2,000 NSBA Non Pro Hunter Derby.

$6,000 NSBA Maturity Non Pro & Intermediate Non Pro Western Pleasure

Chase Hanson stole the spotlight in the WEC Grand Arena as he topped the $6,000 NSBA Maturity Non Pro Western Pleasure with his special partner, The Drinkz R On Me (CP Surely The Best x Absolut Martini Girl), a 2021 gelding owned by Lyle Hanson. Hanson also claimed the Intermediate title. 

Speaking about his partnership with “Cosmo,” he shared, “Cosmo has the most interesting personality, I mean, he’s like a person,” he laughed. 

“He’s my best friend. He’ll let you do anything. Even as a yearling, I was hopping on him when I probably shouldn’t have been, but he’s always been that kind of horse. He really lets you do just about anything and everything, but he’ll also be the first to tell you if he doesn’t like something!”

Reflecting on the win and their special connection, he added, “It just makes me love this horse even more. It really is teamwork with him.”

He also spoke about his experience at the venue, noting, “It’s a beautiful place, and we’re very lucky to have the opportunity to show somewhere like this.”

$6,000 NSBA Maturity Non Pro Western Pleasure Top Three Results

1 The Drinkz R On Me, Chase Hanson, Lyle Hanson
2 Good Miss Lazy, Jan Shepherd Pittman, Jan Shepherd Pittman
3 Forever Twisted, Nancy Wilkerson Ditty, Ditty Up LLC

$6,000 NSBA 3-Year-Old & Over $2,500 Limited Horse Open & Intermediate Open Western Pleasure

Continuing his standout week at WEC – Ocala, Aaron Moses added another title to his list in the $6,000 NSBA 3-Year-Old & Over $2,500 Limited Horse Open Western Pleasure aboard Girl Code (VS Code Red x Missy Machine), a 2023 mare owned by Kristen Galyean.

“She [Girl Code] is an amazing horse. She is so sweet and does her job great. She is so easy to be around and comes out and does her job amazing every time. She is a really special mare. She’s got a lot of family and fans,” Moses smiled.

Reflecting on his successful week, Moses shared, “I feel really good. I am ready to go home, but on a great note,” he laughed.

He was quick to credit the team behind him, adding, “My employees, the owners of the horses,I couldn’t do it without any of them. Everyone pitches in and gets things where they need to be when they need to be there. I have a great team.”

$6,000 NSBA 3-Year-Old & Over $2,500 Limited Horse Open Western Pleasure Top Three Results 

1 Girl Code, Aaron Moses, Kristen Galyean
2 Guns N Rosez, Katy Jo Zuidema, Salt Clay Farms LLC
3 Fourmula 1, Rusty Green, Brooke DeBuhr

Jeffery Gibbs claimed the win in the NSBA 3-Year-Old & Over $2,500 Limited Horse Intermediate Open Western Pleasure with the 2023 mare, Shania Twane (Makin Me Willy Wild x Lovin The Lazy Life), owned by Jessica Hartwell.

$5,000 NSBA 4-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure

The WEC Grand Arena welcomed Casey Willis to the winner’s circle Thursday afternoon as he rode to victory in the $5,000 NSBA 4-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure aboard MNM Stoneridge LLC’s 2022 mare, Feeling Groovey by Hay Goodlookn and out of Forever N Ever. 

Willis reflected on his longstanding partnership with the talented mare. “I have had her since she was two, about 30 days after she was started. So, we have had her for her whole career so far. We moved to Pennsylvania and Michelle bought her. She is a really nice mare.”

He went on to describe what makes her so special in the pen. “She has a lot of flow and a lot of look to her. She really swings her legs all the way through and is always happy to do her job.”

$5,000 NSBA 4-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Top Three Results

1 Feeling Groovey, Casey Willis, MNM Stoneridge LLC
2 Ten Kinda Southern, Shannon Curl-Holbin, Gumz Farm Quarter Horses LLC
3 Dang Theres No Doubt, Aaron Moses, Leon Goetz And John Adams

$4,000 3-Year-Old & Older $2,500 Limited Horse, Limited Rider Open Hunter Under Saddle 

Ten horse-and-rider combinations took to the rail in the WEC Grand Arena on Thursday afternoon, but it was Rebecca Sue Spellman who topped the class aboard Marcie McClenon’s Hot Love N Emotion (Hot N Blazing x Sentimental Detail).

Sharing more about the four-year-old mare, Spellman said,  “She’s by Hot N Blazing, out of Sentimental Detail. We’ve had her for maybe six months, and she’s just been wonderful. She has been the best-minded red mare that I’ve ever had. She’s a sweetheart. Her barn name is Sweetie, actually.”

Spellman credits the mare’s presence as her standout quality, “I think how she carries her head and neck is just so beautiful. She could be a little better behind, but she makes up for it with her elegance. The way she travels across the ground, her expression, it’s just so good.”

$4,000 3-Year-Old & Older $2,500 Limited Horse, Limited Rider Open Hunter Under Saddle Top Three Results

1 Hot Love N Emotion, Rebecca Sue Spellman, Marcie McClenon 
2 Sunday In Augusta, Melissa Peabody Hall, Meaghan Pye 
3 VS Redline, Christina Brantner, Haley Plumb 

$4,000 NSBA 3-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure 

The $4,000 NSBA 3-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure closed out the day in the WEC Grand Arena with nine horse-and-rider combinations vying for the win. Mark Zeitler ultimately took home the win aboard Aubrey Jacob’s Ur Heart Or Mine (Heart Stoppin/VQH Heart Stoppin x Why So Lazy)

Zeitler spoke about the 2023 gelding, “He’s by Heart Stoppin, out of a Lazy Loper mare. We bought him last spring from the Hattens in Iowa. They raised him, and he’s just a good horse.”

He also highlighted what makes him stand out in the arena, “I think he just has a cool profile. He looks really pretty, carries his neck well, stays very rhythmic, and jogs really nicely. He’s just a fun horse to show.”

$4,000 NSBA 3-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure Top Three Results 

1 Ur Heart Or Mine, Mark Zeitler, Aubrey Jacobs 
2 The Fan Favorite, Julie Schmidt, Bim Farms LLC
3 Wicked Love, Travis Duit, Denis Hawkins

$5,000 NSBA Open Hunter Derby 

The $5,000 NSBA Open Hunter Derby closed out competition in the WEC Stadium with Syncopation, owned by Jo Ann Niffenegger, earning his third derby victory, this time with trainer Ryan Painter in the irons.

Painter spoke about the 13-year-old Brandenburg Warmblood gelding, “He’s a good little horse. Joanne shows him in the Amateur Adults at the UHF shows, and she does the hunters and equitation. He’s just a good dude, very fun to ride,” he shared. “He has a really big step, but he’s a little horse, so you think you have to gallop when you really don’t. I have to check myself and settle in a bit.”

Returning for the handy, Painter had a clear plan. “I really wanted to win, but I was kind of riding against myself. I wanted to practice some tighter turns I might use in a national derby and just have fun. He was right there for me every step of the way.”

The pair earned a two-round total of 172 for the win. 

Painter also praised the experience of competing in the WEC Stadium. “I think showing in the stadium is great. We don’t always get the opportunity, so it’s really fun to be out there. There were a lot more kids here last week for the non-pros, and I think they had a blast.”

$5,000 NSBA Open Hunter Derby Top Three Results

1 Syncopation, Ryan Painter, Jo Ann Niffenegger 
2 Allocate In Green, Ryan Painter, Gary & Darcy Stricker
3 Hubbas Gone Platinum, Julian Harris, Mollie Christine Crayton 

The Style of Riding Award, sponsored by ACE Equestrian, was presented to Julian Harris in recognition of exemplary horsemanship. The recipient received an embroidered backpack, an ACE gift certificate, and select ACE PRO4MANCE products.

$2,000 NSBA Non Pro Hunter Derby 

The $2,000 NSBA Non Pro Hunter Derby kicked off competition in the WEC Stadium on Thursday, drawing a competitive field of horse-and-rider combinations. In the end, it was Jo Ann Niffenegger who piloted her own Syncopation to the talented gelding’s second derby victory.

Niffenegger captured the win last week in the $2,000 NSBA Open Derby and returned to the WEC Stadium with confidence. “This week, he was much quieter. He’s getting the hang of it and settling into the groove,” she shared. “He walked down the lines really easily. In the first class, I had the seven, and Ryan told me it was moving, so to land and go. I did, then thought I better slow down or I’d leave a stride out—but he made it feel easy.”

The 13-year-old Brandenburg Warmblood gelding “loved his job,” according to Niffenegger. “He’s just a really special horse. He’s so kind and loves his job. Whether he’s hot, tired, or even a little cranky, he still goes out there and jumps beautifully every time.”

Niffenegger earned a first-round score of 89 and a handy score of 83 for a two-round total of 172 to secure the win.

She also credited her trainer, Ryan Painter, for his support. “He’s always so positive. You could have ten bad fences, but if you have one good one, he’ll focus on that. He really reinforces the groundwork so when you get here, it just feels like another day. He always tells me to stay on the rhythm and not panic. You can’t change anything once you’re out there, so just go with what you’ve got.”

$2,000 NSBA Non Pro Hunter Derby Top Three Results

1 Syncopation, Jo Ann Niffenegger, Jo Ann Niffenegger
2 Mr Goody Too Shoes, Caroline French-Campbell, Caroline French-Campbell
3 Artfully Inspired, Olivia Grace Cavezza, Taylor Nicole Cavezza 

The $142,000 NSBA All-Age Open Trail Prelims took over Indoor Arena 2 this afternoon, with top competitors vying for a place in the top 20 to advance to Friday’s Finals on April 17 under the lights of the WEC Grand Arena. Spectators are welcome. Competition begins at 7pm. There is no charge for admission or parking.

View the riders in the top 20 below: 

A Soxy Dream, Bruce Vickery, Angela Wade
Cookin Somethin Up, Nick Mayabb, Elizabeth Ann Maggert
Hand Made Machine, Bruce Vickery, Melissa Armstrong
Hes N Like Flynn, Blake Weis, Megan Gieringer
Hez Blazin Trouble, Jesse Jones, Susan Wilson
Hot Lopin Lily, Blake Weis, Cavallo Family Trust
Lets Ride, Kyle Dougherty, Janet Egolf
Made For Naturdays, Blake Weis, Mary Alice Nielson
My Mama Said So, Bruce Vickery, Angela Wade
Never Sudden, Martin Doustou, Taylor Bates
No Question Im Lazy, Lauren Elizabeth Martin, Cynthia Rasmussen
Nothin But Nett, Bradley Ost, Susan Johns
Socks For Dayz, Anthony Montes, Ingrid Miller Quarter Horses LLC
Sugaray, Chad Evans, Kathy Huspeni
Vs Red Hot Lady, Anthony Montes, Cindy Meyer
Vs Retirement Fund, Carly Veldman Parks, Madeline Rippeon
Vs Secret Code, Anthony Montes, Ingrid Miller Quarter Horses LLC
Whata Moonlite Ride, Carly Veldman Parks, Isabella Marie D’onofrio
Whats The Good Word, Anthony Montes, Katie Patterson
Wrap Me In Red, Carly Veldman Parks, Siena Holyoak

A Sudden Impulse continues through Saturday, April 18. Spectators are welcome to enjoy competition throughout the week. 

Learn more about the Orange Blossom Classic & A Sudden Impulse here.

Photos courtesy of Shane Rux Photography.

Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes.