Deah Hessian-Ruple of Fountain Hills captured the world championship title and the first-place intermediate title in reining at the 2013 Adequan Select American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show held Aug. 28 in Amarillo, Texas.

This marked the third world championship for Hessian-Ruple, owner of Palisades Veterinary Hospital, but her first with AQHA in reining.

Hessian-Ruple showed her American Quarter Horse Irish A Shine.

The 2002 sorrel mare, sired by Paddys Irish Whiskey and out of Shine O Lena, was bred by Carol Rose of Gainesville, Texas.

In the reining class, 67 entries competed for world champion honors and a purse of $13,400.

World champions received a prize package that included a custom-designed gold trophy, Montana Silversmiths buckle, specially designed logoed jacket, courtesy of Cripple Creek Outerwear, product from Tex Tan or WeatherBeeta, neck wreath, a medallion and 100 pounds of Nutrena feed.

Intermediate awards are a part of the AQHA leveling program, which was created to level the playing field at AQHA shows.

Intermediate eligibility is based on the rider’s achievements earned in the past three years. Exhibitors placing in the top three at the Adequan Select World are not eligible for the Intermediate level for the subsequent three years in that class.

Intermediate classes run as classes within classes, not separate ones. Intermediate exhibitor status is based only on an exhibitor’s lifetime, combined world show record, not on the number of points he/she has accumulated.

Intermediate first-place winners received an 8-inch clear globe in addition to a specially-designed patch.

The Adequan Select World is the pinnacle event for American Quarter Horse exhibitors ages 50 and over from around the world, who must qualify for the event by earning a predetermined number of points to compete in each of the classes representing halter, English and western disciplines.

More than 1,280 entries from the United States and Canada competed for 44 world championships at the August event held the Tri-State Fairgrounds in Amarillo.

Adequan is the title sponsor for the Adequan Select World.

Other show sponsors include Bank of America, B&W Trailer Hitches, Farnam, John Deere, Markel, Merial, Montana Silversmiths, Nutrena, SmartPak and WeatherBeeta.

Event sponsors are Cripple Creek, The American Quarter Horse Journal, Coors, Cavender’s Boot City, Kiser Arena Specialists, Zoetis, Pendleton Whisky and the Amarillo Convention & Visitors Council.