Haidas Lil Shorty is a 10-year-old son of Haidas Little Pep, bred by Terry and Julia Moore. He is out of Sweet Shorty Girl, a Shorty Lena mare that has produced three NCHA money earners.

Newman rode Haidas Lil Shorty to the reserve championship in the $15,000 Amateur at Jackson last year. He has been a finalist at the Eastern National six times before, going back to the $2,000 Limited Rider finals in 2002.

Reserve Champion Pittman Todd Turner of Franklin, Georgia, rode Hez Neon Blue, a 10-year-old son of Blessed Twice bred by Mike and Michelle Mowery. He also went on to make the finals of the Junior Youth on Sunday.