Pictured is CK Mardi Gras (Horse), Ross Roark, Johne Dobbs, AQHA Executive Committee Second Vice President, George Phillips, AQHA Executive Committee Member. Sparta resident Frank Berris owns the horse.

The American Quarter Horse Journal, Oklahoma City – Frank Berris of Sparta, Michigan, captured the reserve world championship title in performance halter mares at the 2011 American Quarter Horse Association FedEx Open World Championship Show on November 13 in Oklahoma City. Berris owns CK Mardi Gras, who is a 2006 chestnut mare.
CK Mardi Gras was shown by Ross Roark of Monahans, Texas. The mare, sired by CK Kid and out of Tardee Cool Trouble, was bred by Reynaldo Ramirez Estate of Wylie, Texas.
In the performance halter mares class, 34 entries competed for world champion honors and a purse of $19,463.30. Berris and CK Mardi Gras received a prize package that included a custom-designed silver trophy, specially designed logoed jacket, courtesy of Cripple Creek Outerwear, Montana Silversmiths buckle sponsored by The American Quarter Horse Journal, Professional’s Choice products and medallion.
Berris also won the world championship title in 2-year-old geldings and third place in amateur performance mares.
The AQHA Bank of America Amateur and FedEx Open World Championship Show is the world’s largest, single-breed world championship horse show and the pinnacle event for American Quarter Horse owners and exhibitors around the world, who must qualify for the event by earning a predetermined number of points to compete in each of the 94 classes representing halter, English and western disciplines. The 3,572 entries at this year’s event represent competitors from 47 of the United States, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico and Venezuela. The show is being held November 5-19 at the Oklahoma City State Fair Park.
For more news from the Bank of America Amateur and FedEx Open World Championship Show, visit www.aqha.com/worldshow.