Gamblin’ on Paint Horses at 2015 Tunica Color Bonanza- Results and Photos
By: Brittany Bevis
The theme of the 2015 Tunica Color Bonanza was all about taking a gamble, placing a bet, rolling the dice, and hoping that the odds fall in your favor. For many APHA youth, amateur, and open competitors that meant earning some extra cash at the three-day show that recently took place in Tunica, Mississippi.
Judges for May 1-2 were David Denniston, Clint Fullerton, and Ann Jones. Judges for May 2-3 were Mark Baus, John Boxell, and Michael Short.
In addition to enjoying a full slate of classes during the weekend, circuit champion winners in specific divisions were automatically entered into random drawings to win cold, hard cash. The Gamblin’ On Trail in Tunica, Gamblin’ On Open Western Pleasure, Gamblin’ On Amateur Western Pleasure, and Gamblin On Youth Western Pleasure payed out an estimated 
$5,800.
- Gamblin’ On Trail in Tunica (sponsored by the Caliendo family)- The exhibitors of the Horse/Rider combinations that were the circuit champions in Novice Youth Trail, Novice Amateur Trail, Youth Trail, Amateur Trail, Green Trail, Junior Trail, and Senior Trail were entered in a drawing to win either $250 or $500.
- Gamblin’ On Open Western Pleasure in Tunica (sponsored by Ready Law Office)- The exhibitors of the Horse/Rider combinations that were the Circuit Champions in Green Western Pleasure, 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure, Junior Western Pleasure, and Senior Western Pleasure were entered in a drawing to win either $100, $200, $300 or $500.
- Gamblin’ On Amateur Western Pleasure in Tunica (sponsored by RTS Trailer Sales)- The exhibitors of the Horse/Rider combinations that were the Circuit Champions in Novice Amateur Western Pleasure, Classic Amateur Western Pleasure, and Masters Amateur Western Pleasure were entered in a drawing to win either $300 or $500.
- Gamblin’ On Youth Western Pleasure in Tunica (sponsored by RTS Trailer Sales)- The exhibitors of the Horse/Rider combinations that were the Circuit Champions in Novice Youth Western Pleasure, Youth 13 and Under Western Pleasure, and Youth 14-18 Youth Western Pleasure were entered in a drawing to win either $300 or $500.
The winners are as follows.
Gamblin’ On Trail In Tunica:
Green Trail – Sensational Design, $250
Junior Trail – Get The Sensation, $250
Senior Trail – One Sensational Cowgirl, $250
Novice Youth Trail – Optimized, $250
Novice Amateur Trail – Endless Sensation, $500
Youth Trail – Radicalized, $500
Amateur Trail – VR Knockyour Socksoff, $500
Gamblin’ On Open Western Pleasure in Tunica:
Green Western Pleasure – Doin’ What She Likes, $200
3-Year-Old Western Pleasure – Scenery, $100
Junior Western Pleasure – Red Solo Cup, $500
Senior Western Pleasure – Beyond Sensational, $300
Gamblin’ On Amateur Western Pleasure in Tunica:
Novice Amateur – As Good As I Could, $500
Classic Amateur – Seems Like Heaven, $300
Masters Amateur – Inthesweetshop, $300
Gamblin On Youth Western Pleasure in Tunica:
Novice Youth – Got Good Sensations, $500
Youth 13 & Under – A Sudden Legacy, $300
Youth 14-18 – Im Good With It, $300
Meredith Milton with her proud papa.
Another special addition to the show was a fundraiser to benefit the Robyn Hanna Sportsmanship award that’s presented at AjPHA Youth World Show each year. On Saturday, AjPHA President Meredith Milton hosted a fun pie-throwing contest where competitors nominated fellow riders and trainers to received a pie in the face. If you hoped to be the person throwing the pie, you had to be the highest bidder for that individual. But there was a fun twist…the person getting pied had the option of outbidding the highest bidder and throwing a pie of their own!
Click here to view results from the show.
Click here to view photo galleries from the show.
Day 1 Around the Ring Photos with G-Man
Day 2 Around the Ring Photos with G-Man
Thank you to the sponsors of the 2015 Tunica Color Bonanza!
5 Card Draw Sponsors-
Landers GMC and Landers Dodge
Texas Hold ‘Em Sponsor-
The Caliendo Family
The Equine Chronicle
Gold Strike Casino Resort
RTS Trailer Sales
Caribbean Stud Sponsor
Espuela Ranch
Bauer and Gooding Show Horses
Ready Law Office
Markel Insurance
DCS Communication
Diamond 2M Show Horses
Let ‘Em Ride Sponsor
Milton Family
James Saubolle – Elite Show Horses
Griffin Family
Olin Parker Show Horses
TM Show Horses
