2015 Oregon Summer Classic Kicks Off With Equine Chronicle Exhibitors’ Party!
All photos courtesy of Don Trout.
By: Brittany Bevis
The Oregon Quarter Horse Association kicked off the Oregon Summer Classic yesterday in Central Point with The Equine Chronicle Exhibitors’ Welcome Social! Official show photographer, Don Trout, was onsite to capture all of the fun that took place on the grassy nole by the Isola Arena.
The Equine Chronicle Party offered just a taste of what’s in store for AQHA competitors and spectators at the Summer Classic this week. Eight judges over the course of six days, specialty Showcase of Talent classes, a full lineup of OQHA Open Futurities, a competition off-day, and full social event calendar are among the highlights.
Judges for the show this year will be Michael Colvin, Tanya Green, Chris Benedict, Janette Dublin, Brad Jewett, Will Knabenshue, Judd Paul, Buddy Fisher, Chele McGualy, Nancie Wright, and Gretchen Mathes.
OQHA Open Futurities will be open to any stock horse breed and will include the following classes.
NSBA All-Breed Futurities-
- 2 Year Old Non Pro Western Pleasure
- 2 Year Old Open Western Pleasure
- 3 Year Old Non Pro Western Pleasure
- 3 Year Old Open Western Pleasure
- Junior Green Horse Western Riding Sweepstakes **Concurrent with Jr Green AQHA
- Junior Green Horse Trail Sweepstakes **Concurrent with Jr Green AQHA class
- Yearling Longe Line
- Non Pro English Classic, 4 & Under
- English Classic, 4 & Under
- Non Pro Western Pleasure Maturity
Open All-Breed Futurities (not NSBA-approved)
- Non Pro Yearling Halter Futurity – Stallion
- Non Pro Yearling Halter Futurity – Mare
- Non Pro Yearling Halter Futurity – Gelding
- Team Roping – Heading
- Team Roping – Heeling
- Reining Sweepstakes
As part of the 2015 OQHA Showcase of Talent, there will be three specialty events: Youth Champion of Champions, Bridleless Western Pleasure, and the Freestyle Event. The Youth Champion of Champions will pit the first and second place riders under each judge in the Youth Hunt Seat Equitation and Youth Horsemanship classes held on Monday and Tuesday. Youth, Novice Youth 13 & under, and Novice Youth 14-18 will all be invited to participate. This class will only include rail work and will be scored using a handicap system.
The Bridleless Western Pleasure class will be open to any age horse and rider. Only a smooth tack strap will be allowed for guidance. The cost is $25 per entry, and the proceeds will benefit the OQHYA World Show Team.
The Freestyle Event will allow Reining and Western Riding competitors to perform their own choreographed set of maneuvers accompanied by music and costume. NRHA rules will be used for Reining and AQHA rules will be used for Western Riding. A Champion will be named in each division. This event is limited to the first eight competitors who sign up in each division. Cost per entry is $25 and proceeds will benefit the OQHYA World Show Team.
Aside from the competition, there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy all of the sights, smells, and tastes that Oregon has to offer. On Wednesday at 6 pm., everyone is invited to visit Medford for the Taste of the Rogue Valley Reception. On Thursday at 7 pm, there will be a BBQ sponsored by the Medford Visitor & Convention Bureau at the Osrud Sale Barn. The cost to attend in $8 per ticket. On Saturday, join your friends at 6 pm at BobbiO’s Pizza for the Central Point Pizza Party at the Rogue Saloon.
This year, the competition off-day will be Friday, June 26th, and show management has lined up plenty of exciting excursions like the Hellgate Jet Boat Trip or Zipline Adventure Trip. The HellGate Jet Boat Trip is a scenic lunch cruise down one of Oregon’s most beautiful rivers in Grant’s Pass. The boat will board at 9:00 am and return at 1:oo pm. Price for the cruise and lunch is only $58.
If high-flying action is more your style, you might want to try the Zipline Adventure. There will be two trips hosted by Rogue Valley Zipline Adventure LLC; the first is from 10 am to 1:30 pm and the second is from 12:30 to 4:00 pm. This trip will include a stop at the Historic Braden Gold Mine. Then, enjoy 2,700 ft of zipline on five courses that end at the replica gold mining town of Kane Creek Canyon.
There is so much to do and so little time! Stay tuned for show results to be posted on EquineChronicle.com as the show progresses.
Special thanks to Don Trout Photography for providing fun candid photos from the Equine Chronicle Exhibitor’s Party at the show. Scroll below to view them all.
