2014 March To The Arch Wrap Up By the Numbers- 7,000 Total Entries Across All Divisions

By: Brittany Bevis

With more than 7,000 total entries across all divisions and a sold out facility, the 2014 March To The Arch benefit horse show once again far exceeded expectations.

Over the past eight years, the event has raised an impressive $345,000 for charity. Show Chairman Doug Landon says it will take several weeks to finalize accounts before he can determine exactly how much was raised for the St. Louis Children’s Hospital this year.

“We sold out again and it was an absolutely phenomenal crowd,” Landon says. “The participation on Friday night was just incredible. I know we sometimes bug the trainers to [do the ‘Ladies Showmanship,’] but they end up doing it and the help of everyone to make this a successful event is appreciated.”

Always the highlight of the show, the “Ladies Showmanship” class is not only a big draw for spectators, the accompanying live and silent auctions help to raise a bulk of the funds for charity. If there was ever a reason for well-respected horse professionals like Brent Maxwell, Ty Hornick, Robert Dehn, Travis Duit, Will Knabenshue, Chris Russell, and Brad Ost to dress up in sequins, stilettos, and spandex, the St. Louis Children’s Hospital is it.

Taking home the top prize was “Bill Newcomb,” aka Brad Ost, showing Ima Petite Classic. Ost also took home the Reserve Champion spot for the Best Dressed award, which was sponsored by Mid-Rivers Equine. Reserve Champion in the class and winner of the Best Dressed award was “Chi Chi Peru and Chiquita Banana,” aka Chris Russell and Lethals Hot Weapon. Coming in third was “Electric Blue and High Voltage,” aka Brent Maxwell and Zips Bossy Chip. Finalists included “Goo Goo GaGa and Little Bunny Foo Foo,” aka Will Knabenshue and TAMU Zippos Blue Sky; “Gloria Good Ride and Blue Bonnet,” aka Joe Engle and Rollin N Chocolate; “Victoria Holt and Twin Peaks,” aka Travis Duit and Smokin Charlie Too; “Nita Scumwell and Dixon’s Investment,” aka Robert Dehn; and “Darlin’ Nikki Minaj and George,” aka Ty Hornick and Zippos Hot Jet.

Although Landon wasn’t a judge for the event, his favorite by far was “Bill Newcomb,” who bears a certain resemblance to a well-known AQHA Professional Horsewoman…

“That guy was just phenomenal,” Landon says. “He was at the Paint March To The Arch last year. On Saturday morning, I went and shook his hand and told him thank you several times. He did a fantastic job. That’s all I can say.”

Trail course designer, Robert Dehn, pulled double duty at the show by making an appearance in the “Ladies Showmanship” class. For Dehn, and many others, the entertainment value of the outlandish costumes that can be seen year after year is a big draw. However, the spirit of fun and feeling of camaraderie among competitors is first and foremost.

“I did it because it’s an absolutely wonderful cause,” he says. “I believe in the entertainment value of it as well, which helps to make these horse shows a little more fun and lighter feeling. To have more longevity in the industry, we need to bring more of the ‘people aspect’ to the horse show and less of the competition side. Throughout the horse show, you didn’t hear anyone complaining about their placings. They were more concerned about when the food was coming out and who was dressing up as what.”

“In general, this is the biggest charitable event in the industry right now. All of the judges, show managers, gate people, and exhibitors spend their time and money to make this horse show fun. Every person that walked in the door was there for the same reason. They weren’t just there to show horses; they were there to make the lives of people struggling with cancer better.”

Although a burst of frigid weather did cause some competitors to pull out early on Sunday, Landon expects the fundraising total will meet, if not exceed, last year’s amount.

Mark Harrell Horse Shows would like to thank the judges, judges’ assistants, arena crew, gate personnel, auctioneers, office crew, vendors, sponsors, and competitors for generously donating their time and services to help make this show such a success year after year. Stay tuned for a video clip montage of the “Ladies Showmanship” coming soon to The Equine Chronicle’s fan page on Facebook…

Click here to view Gordon’s Around The Ring photos from the event. Scroll to the bottom of the page to view fun candid photos courtesy of Sara Shimazu.

Click here to view results from S/C 1.

Click here to view results from S/C 2.

Click here to circuit award winners.