Meet our Big A/Stars N Stripes Bloggers! Lindsey Gillette, Scoot Augsburger, Meg DePalma-Whelan, Jordan Davis, and Jessica Baird

The Stars N Stripes and Big A Horse Show kicks off today in Conyers, GA., June 30th, and will continue through July 9th. For more information about the show, including a showbill, pattern books, scribe sheets, draws, and a results page, visit markharrellhorseshows.com/BigApage.html. Also, stay tuned for around the ring photos coming from G-Man himself!

A Top 5 show year after year, the 2016 event paid out $200,000 in cash and prizes and is expected to be bigger and better than ever in 2017! Because this is such a long circuit, we have a number of EC Bloggers that will be providing us with live reports throughout the show from the perspective of a number of different age divisions.

Meet our EC Big A/Stars N Stripes Bloggers: Lindsey Gillette, Scoot Augsburger, Meg DePalma-Whelan, Jordan Davis, and Jessica Baird

Amateur- Meg DePalma- Whelan

“Hi Equine Chronicle Readers! My name is Meg DePalma-Whelan, and I’ll be your live blogger from the Stars N Stripes/Big A Circuit! During the show, I’ll not only be keeping everyone updated with the winners and latest events, but also showing my two horses, Hotroddin Ona Harley and Sleepin. Harley and I will be competing in the Amateur All Around events and senior events with my trainer of three years, Clint Ainsworth. My 3-year-old Hunt Seat horse, Pax, will be showing in the Show for Dough and Premier Quarter Sires futurities with myself and my trainer of eight years Keith Miller.

What I love about showing at Conyers, besides the fact that it’s under two hours from my home, is the ample places to ride! There are always rings open for schooling. The competition is tough at this show, bringing out several World and Congress Champions. I’ve been attending the Big A for five years, and it’s one of the warmest shows of the year.

Kathy and the entire team with Mark Harrell Horse Shows do a great job of keeping this large and long of a horse show moving along nicely, which normally means barn dinners at the end of the day. Miller Quarter Horses’ tradition is a stop at O’Charley’s on Wednesday for free pie night!

Best of luck to all exhibitors! I look forward to seeing you all at the show pen today!

– Meg DePalma-Whelan

Youth- Jordan Davis

“Hi, my name is Jordan Davis, and I’ll be reporting from the Stars and Stripes/Big A this year! Yesterday was full of preparation for the first show day. While the day started off warm and sunny, the skies soon turned black and the rain came down. However, this didn’t stop everyone from having a great time at the Welcome Party, which included hamburgers, BBQ, and hotdogs, along with live music all sponsored by All That Show Clothing and Sundowner of Georgia. Today’s show day will be filled with Showmanship, Halter, Hunter Under Saddle, and Equitation. Good luck to all the exhibitors!

Amateur- Lindsey Gillette and Youth- Cheyenne Augsburger

“My name is Lindsey Gillette and along with Cheyenne Augsburger I will be keeping you updated from Conyers, GA during the Stars N Stripes and Big A horse shows! I am a St. Petersburg, Fl native where I became a middle school teacher after receiving my Masters Degree in Educational Psychology. My teaching schedule allows me to be in Georgia for the entire circuit, enjoying all of the amenities and activities GQHA provides at this show. I will be competing with three different horses over the next week.

My all-around horse, Sam (Lethal Secret Weapon), and I will be competing in Amateur Trail, Showmanship and Horsemanship. I will be showing One Hot Katwoman in the Amateur Hunter Under Saddle, one of my favorite classes! Last, but not least, I will be showing my new green horse, Miss Krymsun Kat, in the Novice Amateur Equitation. All three horses live at Pinetree Quarter Horses under the guidance of the amazing Lori and Andrew Augsburger! I have been training with Lori and Andrew for seven years, and I’m so appreciative of the time and effort they have put into my horses and myself. I’m looking forward to a fabulous Stars N Stripes and Big A thanks to all of their hard work!

Helping me to keep everyone apprised of all the happenings here in Conyers will be 11-year-old Cheyenne Augsburger (aka Scoot). Cheyenne is the daughter of Andrew and Lori and can usually be found around the shows longing, ponying, or riding nonstop!  She is most definitely one of the hardest working kids you will find on the show grounds! Cheyenne is entering the 7th grade and attends Country Day World Schools Distance Learning program where I am undoubtedly her favorite teacher.  She is able to dedicate many hours to riding and showing with the flexibility of the distance program while still engaging in rigorous academics.

Cheyenne will also be showing three horses during the two circuits including Skamper (Huntin For Candy), Allie (Unanimously Too Cool), and Annie (Miss Ale Kat). Scamper will be competing in the 13 and under all around events. Allie is just beginning her all-around career after she and Cheyenne won the 2-year-old Non Pro Limited Western Pleasure at the NSBA World last year. Cheyenne will be showing her in the Novice Youth Showmanship, which she has taught Allie all by herself with no help from mom or dad! Lastly, she will be competing with Annie in the 13 and under Hunter Under Saddle and 3-Year-Old Limited Non Pro Futurity.

We are so excited to be reporting for you from Conyers! Good luck to all exhibitors!”