2015 Crawfish Classic Hits the Spot

May 4, 2015 | Filed under: Club & Show News,Club and Show News,Featured | Posted by:

By: Brittany Bevis

Competitors who traveled down south to the 2015 LQHA Crawfish Classic enjoyed a weekend of sunny weather at a beautiful outdoor facility, mixed in with great awards and friendly competition, and seasoned with a bit of good old fashioned hospitality. Judges for the weekend horse show that took place in May 2-3 in Folsom, Louisiana were Will Knabenshue, Jason Smith, Chris Jones, Curtis Reynolds, LG Heier, and Bobby Harrison.

Thanks to efficient management by Show Manager Greg Wheat, Show Secretary Pat Kress, and LQHA members, competitors from Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and even Florida enjoyed a fun-filled weekend with plenty of good competition. Entries were up by 79% from 2014. Some of the largest class totals included 20 in Amateur Performance Halter Geldings, 17 in Select Western Pleasure, 15 in Open Performance Halter Geldings, and a great showing in the Ranch Horse Riding division.

The show kicked off on Friday afternoon with Speed classes. Then, exhibitors showed to all four judges on Saturday in Halter and Showmanship. Trail followed and was run at will to two sets of judges, while Hunter Under Saddle classes took place in another arena. Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Western Riding, Reining, and Ranch Horse Riding wrapped up a busy day for all-around competitors. The schedule repeated on Sunday with the exclusion of Halter and Showmanship classes.

All of this was provided to AQHA competitors for a special all inclusive entry fee of $100 for youth and an all-inclusive fee of $200 for the entire circuit, which included entries, one stall, drug fee, and office fees.

When it was time to take a break from the competition, riders and spectators enjoyed the ample shade provided by oak and crape myrtle trees surrounding the arenas and acres of open green space and wooded trails at the Serenity Farm complex. If you wanted a change in pace, spectators could take a short walk across the street to the neighboring facility which was hosting a Hunter Jumper show.

Because the first Saturday in May just happened to fall on this particular weekend, competitors and even judges took a five minute break to head over to the Winners Circle Grill to watch the 141st Kentucky Derby in between Trail and Western Pleasure classes. After American Pharaoh’s big win, competition resumed in order to conclude the show day at a reasonable hour before the evening’s Crawfish Boil was scheduled to take place. A whopping 600 pounds of crawfish was cooked and served along with potatoes and corn during the Exhibitors’ Dinner! Afterwards, many competitors gathered around motorhome televisions to watch the “Fight of the Century,” which pitted Floyd Mayweather, Jr. against Manny Pacquiao in the Welterweight World Championship.

Following the remainder of the competition on Sunday, all-around competitors were rewarded with beautiful spurs and belt buckles. High Point Halter earning horses went home with plaques, and circuit awards in every class consisted of buckets filled with sponsor goodies like spray bottles, hand towels, horse treats, and hoof picks.

Scroll below to view results from the show as well as more Around the Ring photos from the event.

All-Around Winners: