AQHA exhibitors enjoyed a new and improved Big A and Stars N Stripes for 2013 with a new schedule, over $100,000 in cash and prizes, a banner judges list, plenty of parties and social events, and fun, new, added money classes. The show began July 5th in Conyers, Georgia at the International Horse Park and concluded over the weekend.
Judges for the event included Brent Tincher, Scott Neuman, Clint Fullerton, Becky Schooler, Rusty Green, Brendan Brown, Christa Baldwin, Andrea Simons, Rhonda Replogle, Russ Smith, Mike Weaver, and Jessica Gilliam.
Two new events at the show included the $5,000 Novice Horse Western Pleasure slot class and Big A Open Trail Derby and Non Pro Trail Derby. The inaugural Novice Horse Western Pleasure saw Jay Starnes ride Zip By Machine to a win for Ray Burkhart. Second place was Shane Pope riding Itsthemoonshinetalkn for Denise Hawkins.
Thanks to a very creative pattern, courtesy of Tim “The Trail Man” Kimura, exhibitors and spectators enjoyed an exciting Trail Derby evening with high scoring rides as well as complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres provided by Sea Ridge Farms. Winning the Non Pro portion of the Trail Derby was Whitney Walquist Vicars riding Southwestern Gunman.
Caption: The Trail Derby pattern was definitely not for the faint of heart. Image courtesy of Mark Harrell Horse Shows.
The Open Trail Derby saw a run-off between Bruce Vickery with She Made It Happen and Whitney Lagace with Rockin For Potential, each scoring a 244.5. In the end, Lagace won the title for horse owner Elizabeth Rinder. In the accompanying calcutta, Gene Parker was the winning bidder of the winning horse and rider pair. Parker elected to keep $1,000 of his winnings, award $1,000 to Lagace, and donate the remainder back to the calcutta class proceeds. That meant a total of $6,712.50 was donated to the AQHA Foundation.
Show Summary Numbers
Click here to view show summary numbers from the Stars N Stripes.
Click here to view show summary numbers from the Big A 1.
Click here to view show summary numbers from the Big A 2.
Class Results
Click here to view results from the Stars N Stripes.
Click here to view results from Big A 1.
Click here to view results from Big A 2.
Click here to view the scribe sheets from the show.
Click here to view circuit awards and High Point standings.
Click here to view results for Custom Tails Team Tournament.
Scroll below to view candid photos from Gordon Downey’s around the ring adventures.