PQHA Mid-Summer Madness Show Exceeds Expectations With 6,800 Entries
Photo courtesy of Lori Lawless.
By: Rita McMullen
The show with a new name, “Mid-Summer Madness,” formerly known as the “PQHA Youth Show,” was a huge success last week at the Centre County Grange Fair Equine Park in Centre Hall, PA. This show is one of the major fundraisers to support the PQHYA, and PQHA continues to provide a share of the profits from this show to support the Youth association and their many projects.
“PQHA would like to thank everyone for attending our Mid-Summer Madness Show,” says PQHA President Carla Weaver. “Our show was a huge success, and I give credit to the great exhibitors and horses that attend our show. High quality competition, great people, and fun activities make it a wonderful show. Thank you so much to our great staff and group of dedicated volunteers that work so hard to make our show run smoothly. We are proud of the fact that this show is so well, attended and PQHA will strive to continue our success for the future.”
Photo courtesy of Rita McMullen.
The circuit kicked off on Wednesday with the annual Novice Show, judged by Lisa Mathews from Jefferson, Ohio. A first for this show was the addition of the EWD (Equestrians with Disabilities) classes. EWD exhibitors took advantage of five disciplines offered at the show. The show ended with over 450 entries, an increase of 45% from the 2014 show. “Novice and Rookie classes continue to increase and we are very pleased with the growth of our show,” says Brenda Campbell, Novice Show Manager & PQHA Board member.
The PQHA Mid-Summer Madness show sold over 625 stalls, had total entries of almost 6,800 over the four day/six judge event (an increase of 15% from 2014) and boasted over $30,000 in added money and exhibitor benefits. Exhibitors from over 19 states and Canada were represented at the show.
New for 2015 was the addition of random drawing classes. The “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” drawings for a FREE bottle of local wine and a FREE treat was given each day of the show to exhibitors. Treats included ice cream, hotdogs, home baked cookies, which also supported PQHA vendors. “All of this was made possible due to the support of our generous sponsors,” says Rita McMullen, PQHA Sponsorship Chairman. “Our goal is to create a friendly, enjoyable show experience for our exhibitors and to keep them coming back.”
Photo courtesy of Rita McMullen.
A Junior Western Pleasure Series Championship was also added for 2015, which includes added money to exhibitors who show in this division at both the July and September PQHA show circuits. Complete details on this series and a complete list of sponsors and drawing winners can be found on the website, www.pqha.org. Show results are also available on the website.
Many classes at the Mid-Summer Madness had over 40 entries and many exhibitors shared that they were able to pick up points in a lot of classes. Ranch Horse exhibitors were enticed by the 2015 PQHA Ranch Riding Series Championship, which provides added money in three divisions to exhibitors who show at all three PQHA Show circuits in 2015. Awards will be given at the September PQHA Show.
Steve Meadows and crew. Photo courtesy of Rita McMullen.
Steve Meadows of Staunton, VA. brought three horses and exhibitors for these classes as well as the Reining classes and all-around events. “We love coming to the PQHA shows,” he says. “The friendly atmosphere, points available, and a beautiful facility all combine to make it worth our trip. The added money for some classes is also an added benefit, and we are happy to say we were able to be the recipients of a few of those.”
Mathieu Cormier of Sorel, Quebec in his last year of youth was a first-time exhibitor at PQHA. Mathieu shows in all-around events with My Version of Smoke, owned by Janet Chitwood of Pennsylvania. “I enjoy showing at PQHA. I got points in Equitation, and it’s worth my eight hour trip” he says. Cormier is looking forward to showing the Quarter Horse Congress again this year. Horse owner, Janet Chitwood, plans to show at the Novice World show in Ranch Riding and Trail.
Fellow exhibitor, Marie Michelle Rioux, a college student from Rimouski, Quebec says, “I like the PQHA shows due to the large numbers and points available. This is a great facility with lots of rings to ride in.” Marie’s favorite event is Showmanship, and she is looking forward to showing at the Novice World and Quarter Horse Congress. Her trip home is 13 hours, but she spends her summers at trainer, Jonathan Meilleur’s facility in Hamburg, PA.
Photo courtesy of Rita McMullen.
Brian Craig, owner of Brian Craig Quarter Horses from Warsaw, IN, says, “We don’t mind making the 8.5 hour trip.” Craig brought three exhibitors and their horses to the show. “PQHA has great people who make it a fun atmosphere for showing. You can still have fun and show. A covered arena and lots of practice pens are added benefits. I’m pleased to see that many horses that I have sold over the years are here and still showing.”
Novice Youth exhibitors and sisters, Grace and Frances Himes, enjoyed their first PQHA show. Frances was the Rookie Youth High Point winner on Wednesday and won her first trophy. She was also Reserve High Point Novice Youth of the Mid-Summer Madness Circuit with her horse Blazing Hot Treasure. Gracie showed her horse, Gota Lota Lace, and was Novice Youth High Point on Wednesday. During the Midsummer Madness circuit, she was also the 13 & Under All-Around Youth. Gracie is currently leading the nation in AQHA Novice All-Around points.
Brian and Darla Lee, owner of Lee Quarter Horses from Plain City, OH. brought nine horses and exhibitors to the PQHA show. “PQHA has a great facility, and the six hour trip is worthwhile,” Brian says. “Every one of our exhibitors has gotten points at this show.”
Shane, Holt, and Madison Pope. Photo courtesy of Rita McMullen.
Shane, Holt, and Madison Pope from Myrtle Beach, SC. made their first trip to PQHA. “We got a few of our horses World show qualified and had some big wins” Holt says. “The temperatures have been wonderful, in the 70s for most of the show, and it’s so beautiful here in this valley. We will plan to come to the PQHA shows again.
Word of the large show attracted local news station, Channel 6 reporter Erin Calandra, who was on hand for a live interview at the show. PA Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding was also onsite for a tour of the newly constructed 150 stall enclosed barn, indoor arena and the show on Thursday. Equine is making a huge economic impact in Pennsylvania and especially here in Centre County. The Centre County Grange Equine Park continues to expand and improve their facility and has a full schedule of equine events in 2015.
L-R, Ben Haagen, President – Centre County Grange Fair; Rita McMullen, PQHA
Sponsorship Chairman; Darlene Confer, General Manager – Centre County Grange
Fair; Carla Weaver, PQHA President; Shelly Weaver, PQHA Secretary & Russell
Redding, PA Department of Agriculture Secretary.
PQHA’s next event will be the Nittany Classic & Futurity show on September 5 & 6. Stall reservations and show bills are available at www.pqha.org.
Scroll below to view fun photos courtesy of Rita McMullen and Lori Lawless.
Click on the links below to view results:
Circuit Champions and High Point Winners
