Day 1 at The International With Lauren Stepaniak

EC Blog by: Lauren Stepaniak

Yesterday was the first day of The International here in Cloverdale, IN, and I’m excited to be  showing my two Amateur all-around horses, Gota Lota Chex and MWS Flashn My Jacks! While many of us Midwesterners have always loved attending this horse show in Springfield, IL. conditions at the Illinois State Fairgrounds (including a deteriorating Coliseum) forced a venue change. So, for the first time, The International is being held at the C Bar C in Cloverdale. The venue change has been well received. I have to say, as much as I love showing in Springfield, I have seen plenty of classes in that old coliseum full of people freezing, oops I mean showing, in their Congress and World Show coats. The climate controlled, all under one roof, International has been pretty enjoyable.

The show has drawn folks to Indiana from Texas to Iowa and looks to be both good sized and good quality. I might be biased, being from up this way, but the Midwest has always had great quality stock, and this show doesn’t disappoint. Yesterday morning started off with Trail and included a very nice, 30-head Sr. Trail class. There were many across the board winners, winning under the cards of all three judges. These included among others, (and I am sorry if I missed anyone!) Jessica Baird with Cool Lopin Lady in the Novice Amateur, Logan Wheeler with Best Believe It in the Amateur, Ellexxah Maxwell with Zips Bossy Chip in the Youth, and Jennifer Paul with Some Hot Potential in that 30-head Senior class.

Horsemanship and Pleasure were on tap for the afternoon, with two show pens running at the same time. Kathy Avolt, Mark Harrell, and crew have done a great job keeping everything cruising. Later in the evening was the traditional crowd favorite International Taco/Margarita party, which is always a good time.

We’re all ready to watch everyone compete throughout the weekend for those great all-around High Point prizes, full page ads sponsored by The Equine Chronicle. On the behalf of all of the competitors, I want to say thank you to The Equine Chronicle for their support of The International. I know many exhibitors that are geared up to take a shot at winning one of those pages!