Blind Horsemanship Challenge Was Unique Test of Riders’ Skills
By: Brittany Bevis
15 competitors thought themselves worthy of the Blind Horsemanship Challenge at the MQHA Mapleleaf over the weekend. Open to all ages of non-pro riders, this unique event tested a rider’s memory skills, maneuvering capabilities, and ability to stay calm under pressure.
To begin, all exhibitors faced the wall. Competitors were not allowed to watch anyone ride the pattern before they did so, nor look at the pattern before the class began. One at a time, each exhibitor was instructed to turn around and was allowed a maximum of 60 seconds to look at the pattern. Once time was up, and all exhibitors completed their patterns, they all participated in traditional rail work.
Not only was this a fun test of a rider’s skills, there were cash prizes at stake! First place received $250. Second took home $150. Fifth received $100.
The top five placings were as follows:
1st place- Kelly Coonce/Presleys Got Rhythm
2nd place- Elise Meisner/Wood Ya Sleep With Me
3rd place- Hannah Inchiostro/Remies Smokin
4th place- Sheri Catania/Extra Radical
5th place- Chloe Engelbrecht/See You At The Party
Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com for a video of the winning run coming soon!
The Missouri Quarter Horse Association Maple Leaf took place March 25-28 in Lake St. Louis, MO with Ryan Kail, Will Knabenshue, Buddy Fisher, and Bruce Walquist officiating.
Congratulations to the High Point Champions. The Rookie Amateur winner was Jessica Hiemstra with Zips Hot Investment. The Level 1/Novice Amateur winner was Alexandria Eischeid with Its Sheer Luck. The Amateur winner was Katie Pidgeon Mitchell with Sure Enough Lazy. The Select winner was Sara Fransen with FF Hope Floats. The Rookie Youth winner was Avery Bergan with Lopin Award. This was also the Level 1/Novice Youth winner.
The Youth winner was Abigail Cole with Gona Getcha Good. The Open winner was If It Aint Southern and Jamie Dowdy for Kristy McKechnie. The EWD winner was Robert Castellitto with Empty Irons. The Small Fry winner was Willa Bruce with The Best Bet Yet. The Level 1 Amateur W/J winner was Patricia Wellendorf with Nice Girls Only. The Level 1 Youth W/J winner was Certainly A Hottie and Zoey Crawford.
The VRH Amateur was Shannon Dudley with SHR Flash For Cash. The VRH Youth was Lola Morris with Snap Crakl Chex. The VRH Open winner was Jon Barry with Mesmerizing Chic.
Click on the links to view results from the show, courtesy of An Equine Production.
