All-Breed Horse Show Features 800 Entries from Multiple States
Photos provided courtesy of MQHA and Joe Galatti.
Columbia, Missouri – Nearly 150 exhibitors gathered at the National Equestrian Central in Lake St. Louis on November 2-3, 2024 for the eighth consecutive, Missouri Quarter Horse Association (MQHA) Charities – Fall Festival All-Breed Horse Show. This two-day show offered various events and was open to riders of all ages. Registrations for the show totaled 800 individual class entries and participants came from Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas.
Countless MQHA Charities committee members volunteered their time to run the show – from working the entry office to running the gates and handing out ribbons and awards. Long-time MQHA member and American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) judge Mike Swain graciously volunteered his time and expertise to serve as the judge for this year’s show. Christian Jauntig and Hailey Walters of Topline Event Management volunteered their time and services to manage the entry office. The show received sponsorship donations from nearly forty businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout the state. All entry proceeds from the show directly benefit the MQHA Charities scholarship fund, which provides scholarships to deserving youth participating in equine activities.
This year’s show received a grant from AQHA, allowing us to host a pizza and pasta dinner exhibitor party on Saturday evening, provide personalized gifts for the first ten members to join MQHA during the show, and support additional MQHA membership and engagement initiatives for exhibitors.
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- Three EWD and Special Olympics riders participated in six classes.
What made this show especially unique, were the Equestrians With Disabilities (EWD) and Special Olympics Equestrian Team classes that were offered. Three EWD and Special Olympics riders participated in six classes (Showmanship, Trail, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Hunter Under Saddle, and Equitation) for both Independent and Supported riders. These classes were offered in partnership with Missouri Special Olympics and this show served as an official Special Olympics qualifying event.
The show featured many awards and recognitions. The Steve Mitchell Sportsmanship Award was presented in honor and memory of valued MQHA member and horseman, Steve Mitchell. Nominations were accepted throughout the show and Marlie Newman was recognized as the recipient, a youth who demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship during the show and beyond. We were honored to have Steve’s wife Amy join us for the award presentation.
The MQHA Charities Committee awarded two scholarships at the show. One sponsored by MFA Incorporated and the second in Memory of Charlie Medows. The receipts of these scholarships were Madilyne Knopfel of Wright City, Missouri, and Kathryn Arendse of Warsaw, Missouri, respectively.
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- The MQHA Charities Committee awarded two scholarships at the show.
The show featured three jackpot classes, all with $500 added money. The jackpot champions are as follows:
Versatility Jackpot Champion: Porter Lewis & Mamas Boy
Walk/Trot Western Pleasure Jackpot Champion: Bayleigh Wood & Certainly Hot N Spicy (An additional $1,000 added by the Friends of Todd Garland, in his memory.)
Ranch Rail Jackpot Champion: Jason Samuels & Collen Cats Spot
The show recognized thirteen high-point champions. All hi-point winners took home a Molly’s Custom Silver belt buckle and reserve went home with a custom embroidered halter.
All-Around Division Hi-Point Winners:
EWD Independent
Champion: Robert Castellitto & Willy Fine Wine
Reserve: Nicolas Sutto & Tinys Annie
Walk/Whoa
Champion: Rose Alfaro & Promise Us Paradise
Reserve: Lucy Powls & Certified Lazy
Small Fry
Champion: Zoey Wetherell & These Assets R Hot
Reserve: Riley Hauk & Honestly Awesome
Walk Trot 18&Under
Champion: Jessalyn Eisenmann & The Sugar Machine
Reserve: Olivia Werdehausen & Finely Chilling
Youth 13&Under
Champion: Faith Engemann & As You Wish
Reserve: Abigail Prenger & SRB Justa Toucho Glamour
Youth 14-18
Champion: Porter Lewis & Mamas Boy
Reserve: Bayleigh Wood & Certainly Hot N Spicy
Walk/Trot 19&Over
Champion: Melinda Botkin & All Ironed Out
Reserve: Mary Stassi & Gettin The Goods
19&Over
Champion: Janet Deckman & Hello Lazy
Reserve: Jessica Hiemstra-Hargrove & Zips Hot Investment
Ranch Division Hi-Point Winners:
Small Fry
Champion: Ryder Skouby & Spark In My Heart
Reserve: Riley Hauk & Honestly Awesome
Walk Trot 18&Under
Champion: Jada Casto & Little Outlaw Jac
Reserve: Jillian Stephens & PR Zip Me Deck
Youth 13&Under
Champion: Taylen Sbabo & Shootin For A Legacy
Reserve: Cooper Skouby & Spark In My Heart
Youth 14-18
Champion: Hunter Skouby & Whiz All Juiced Up
Reserve: Lindsey Lester & Gunners Last Dance
19&Over
Champion: Jason Samuels & Collen Cats Spot
Reserve: Mary Blochberger & Justin Plain Spooky
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The Missouri Quarter Horse Association Charities Committee started the Fall Festival All-Breed Horse Show in 2017 as an all-youth open horse show to support our mission of providing scholarships to deserving youth participating in equine activities. Our show is now open to all-age riders. MQHA members volunteer their time to manage and run the show.
To learn more: fallfestivalallbreedhorseshow.weebly.com
Event photos are provided upon request. If you would like more information about this event, please contact Cara Harmon at 573-999-4454 or email at caramharmon@gmail.com
