Local Youth Wins World Championship Title

Grace Niebrugge shows Sheza Cool Sekret at the 2022 Ford AQHYA World Championship.

AMARILLO, TEX.-- Grace Niebrugge of Effingham IL, captured the world championship in 3 Year Old Mares at the 2022 Ford AQHYA World Championship Show on July 28 at the OKC Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. 

Sixteen-year-old Niebrugge showed the American Quarter Horse SHEZA COOL SEKRET, owned by her father and mother, Mark and Amy Niebrugge of rural Effingham. The 2019 bay mare, by I GOTTA COOL SECRET and out of MTK SHEZ ELUSIVE, was bred by Eldred Nehmelman of Green Valley IL.  This is the 3rd  and final Youth World Championship title for SHEZA COOL SEKRET, after winning last year with Grace in 2 Year Old Mares, and in 2021 with her sister Audrey showing in Yearling Mares.  Niebrugge says “Nellie will now be retired and will arrive soon at our farm to begin her next career as a broodmare.  Her first foal will arrive in January and we are excited to see what she produces.”

World champions received a prize package that included a custom-designed gold trophy, AQHA world champion buckle, specially designed logoed jacket, world champion patch and neck wreath.

The Ford AQHYA World is the world’s largest, single-breed world championship horse show open exclusively to youth exhibitors age 18 and under. This is the pinnacle event for youth competitors around the world who must qualify for the event by earning a predetermined number of points to secure a spot in each of the classes, representing English, western and halter disciplines, or earn an invitation through their state or provincial affiliate. 

For more news from the Ford AQHYA World, visit www.aqha.com/youthworld.