Little River Circuit Grows Bigger Every Year- 600 Entries Per Judge in 2015

By: Brittany Bevis

The earliest records of the Little River show date back to 1983 when it was known as the “Little River Farm Circuit” held in Southern Pines, North Carolina on a beautiful plantation with an arena, stalls, and a racetrack. In the early days, it was a seven-day circuit; split/combined shows didn’t exist yet. However, by the late 1980s, the show had transitioned to a three day/three judge event that was held entirely outdoors with the show office shaded from the sun underneath a tent.

The Little River Circuit has come a long way since then. After making the move to Lake Waccamaw in 1990 and now the South Carolina Equine Park in Camden in 2010, the show has grown in size each year.

“Our last year at Lake Waccamaw, we had about 65 stalls,” Show Secretary Susan Daniels says. “This year, in Camden, we had 220! In 2013, we were able to partner with another group and add a show to our Little River Circuit and make it a four judge split/combined event. In years past, our average attendance has been around 400 entries under each judge. In 2014, it was about 500 entries per judge.  This year, we will be close to 600 entries per judge.”

During May 22-24, the Little River Circuit celebrated its 32nd year in Camden, SC., with judges Peter Morgan, Daren Wright, Cynthia Rucker, and Lori Gordon officiating. Put on by the District IV Association and NC Amateur Association, the Little River Circuit is a collaborative effort that provides exhibitors with special events such as the highly popular Team Tournament competition.

“In 1991, the NC Amateur Association joined in with us and formed their Team Tournament, where exhibitors pay ten dollars to participate for the chance to win wonderful prizes that are mostly donated by very generous sponsors!” Daniels says. “Some are purchased, but the amateurs work very hard to put on a great Team Tournament competition.”

“Teams consist of three exhibitors who are randomly put together. Points are accumulated from the exhibitor’s choice of classes, and the winning teams are announced on Sunday around lunchtime during the judge’s break.  This year, we had 38 teams! As one of our members said, ‘our little show has really grown,’ over the years.”

Circuit champions during the show received special awards, and the NC Amateur Association presented chairs to All-Around and High Point Winners. Rookie award trophies were provided by Gene Parker Farms.

One of those lucky circuit champions was Ms. Ina Ginsberg of Carefree, AR., who shows under the guidance of Jeffrey Eldon Pait. Ms. Ina is 80 years old and was named the circuit champion in Amateur and Open Three-Year-Old Geldings with her horse, Hez Packing Heat.

“I thanked her for showing with us and her comment was,’I loved the show, and I really loved the points I earned!’ It doesn’t get any better than that!” Daniels says.

Scroll below to view fun photos and complete results from the 2015 Little River Circuit.

Little River Circuit All Around and High Point Winners: