Creek Plemons, a sixth grader at Southmont Junior High, is a world champion.
The 11-year-old boy and his horse won four categories in the Palomino World Show at Springfield, Illinois, July 6-17, to claim the title.
Creek was the youngest participant in a competition that draws entries from around the country. The competition is held by Palomino Horse Breeders of America — the international organization formed in 1941 to protect the breeding of Palomino horses.
All eight categories Creek participated in were about how his horse looks. He did not participate in horse racing. Instead, Creek performed several required movements and patterns to make a good impression on the judges.
“It is just another type of sport,” he said. “It is what the judges think of your horse and you.”
Creek’s mother Karen Plemons is the owner and instructor at KP Performance Horses located at Rocking L Equestrian Center.
“I am his coach and his mom,” she said.
Karen said Creek took an early interest in riding. He rode Mikey his first year in the county 4-H fair. As he became more confident on Mikey, Creek started to ride the family’s other horse, Dash (MWS My Kinda Therapy). Creek rode Dash at the world show.
Creek said becoming a champion was not easy.
“It requires working with your horse and getting them where you want them,” he said. “You cannot just take them and go strong, you have to put the work into it like any other sport.”
Creek plays other sports, including football, and enjoys spending time with his friends.
Creek said he was relieved when he heard his name called as world champion.
“I felt like all the hard work paid off,” he said.
Karen also was happy to watch Creek during the competition.
“It was fun to see him succeed at the top level,” Karen said.
Creek is looking forward to participating in the competition again, and has set new goals.
“I want to end up winning all of them,” Creek said of the performance divisions.
His mother hopes he will continually involve himself with horses.
“I want him to enjoy what he is doing. I want him to enjoy showing horses,” Karen said.
