Around the Rings – SJPHC NCPHC Triple Crown Fall Color Challenge & All Breed Horse Show
By Jennifer Barbee
The new and improved Triple Crown Fall Color Challenge & All Breed Horse Show happened on August 25-28, 2022, at Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta, California. This show was a collaboration between San Joaquin Paint Horse Club and Northern California Paint Horse Club. Expanded to a four judge POR, the judges included Leeann Williams, Donald Beard, Mark McCarthy and Mark Kuhlwein.
The event was run by Show Manager Jennifer Barbee, Stall Manager Meredith Biasca, and Secretary Jennifer Mendes, along with the combined SJPHC/NCPHC Show Committee volunteer staff.
Unlocking the Judge’s Score Card: Trail clinic with Mike Weaver
The day prior to kicking off the show, SJPHC held a clinic taught by APHA-approved Clinician and multiple-carded judge Mike Weaver, an opportunity called “Unlocking the Judge’s Score Card: Trail.” Mike judged the show last year and graciously donated his time for the clinic. Participants and auditors walked the Trail course while Mike provided a judge’s insight about how to earn credit or to avoid penalties. Then eleven participants rode over some of the obstacles while hearing their score and reasoning for each in real time. The clinic concluded with several riders completing a whole course while receiving scoring and penalty information out loud.
The clubs held an Exhibitor Appreciation BARBIE-QUE, complete with Barbie box photo booth.
This year, the clubs held an Exhibitor Appreciation BARBIE-QUE, complete with Barbie box photo booth, Barbie cars, pink flamingos, and all the accessories exhibitors needed to have fun with the pop culture icon. Exhibitors, family members, trainers, and show staff had a very pink vibe and hopped into the Barbie box for a photoshoot.
All exhibitors earn a chance to win a free work saddle for each class entered. The winner is drawn Saturday evening during the BBQ. Continued sponsorship from TS Paints allowed the clubs to giveaway an Exhibitor Appreciation Saddle which was won by Marisha Moon.
The Prize Patrol was in full force for this show! Golf carts with flamingos and enthusiastic show volunteers were in the arenas and barns giving horse goodies galore. Random exhibitor drawings had giveaways of over $15,000 of products and gift certificates from Triple Crown Nutrition, 100x Equine, Stateline Tack, JDK Tack, Stable Mix, and Bar Ale Feed. There were also a limited number of glow in the dark show logo t-shirts by Sassy Pony Boutique given as random exhibitor appreciation awards. The turquoise t-shirts were worn by volunteer staff for easy identification.
In addition to all the added fun, there was the competition! For the first time, the show included a full slate of Ranch Horse classes. The APHA High Point Ranch Horse was BN Like An Einstein, a 2018 sorrel overo gelding owned and shown by Kate Carone of Sparks, NV. The All Breed High Point Ranch Horse was Hicks Need Diamonds, owned and shown by Isak Carter.
Two full siblings won the new High Point Trail Horse award!
The new High Point Trail Horse award was a big hit, kicking off the show on Friday with eight hours of Trail goes. An electric scooter was to be awarded for the highest point earning Super Trail Horse based on a one horse/any rider. Turned out there were TWO Super Trail Horses so they both got scooters! Congratulations to co-champions Rhythm of Tats Heart (“Harmony”) exhibited by Ashley McLaughlin and Melissa Sachs plus Invest in Tats Rhythm (“Melody”) exhibited by Asta Oelsner, Karla Louise Lund Knudsen, and Melissa Sachs. The two mares are full siblings and are the product of the Tacklind/Sachs breeding program.
On Saturday, CNC Sashay N Style earned the title of the Carol Brown Memorial Super Halter Horse. The 2020 bay overo mare is owned by Cindy Polley and was shown in the Super Halter judging by Dan Mannion. A custom Cowboy Bronze trophy was given to the winner by SJPHC and NCPHC.
Sunday’s All-Breed Longe Line Jackpot Futurity is a highly sought after win every year. This year’s Champion was Model In The Makin, a 2022 bay overo mare, exhibited by Crystal McBride of Hemet, CA. With nine entries, the jackpot paid to 5th place. Top finishers received a black NCPHC/SJPHC logo’d show bag and awards including insulated aluminum beverage cups, hay bags, and more.
Bridleless Western Pleasure Jackpot returned to the show in honor of Plenty of Tats Rhythm, a bridleless poster boy who passed away earlier this year. Awards for this class were sponsored by Sterling Equine Appraisals and included neck ribbons from Hodges Badge Company and a Trophy from Cowboy Bronze. The Bridleless class had seven entries with the jackpot paying to 4th. Winning unanimously, the 2012 bay tobiano gelding, Im Johnny Cash, was exhibited by Karen Qualls of Chino Hills, CA. Owner Ann Ray Bertsch of Keene, CA, was unable to attend the show so the class was broadcast live through SJPHC’s Facebook page.
Debbie Stroup won the Dave Ruby DIY Non Pro High Point Exhibitor Award.
The second annual Dave Ruby DIY Non Pro High Point Exhibitor Award went to Debbie Stroup of Rogue River, OR. Named for the APHA State Director and long-time SJPHC Ring Steward who passed away in 2021, this award remains sponsored by Michelle McBride in honor of someone who inspired her in and out of the show arena. This year, there were 10 exhibitors in the race for the DIY award, each competing without a paid trainer or coach for at least 90 days prior to the show. Debbie showed VS Huntinforblue, her 2016 bay roan overo gelding, in thirteen classes amassing 179 show points. She received a Dewalt rolling tool kit filled with horse goodies and an inflatable flamingo that escaped from the BARBIE-QUE the night before.
Official Show Photographer, Gail Bates, was center ring for special awards and even found time to do portrait sessions. After decades of equine photography, Gail knows all the exhibitors and has seen several generations go through the arena from behind her lens. For proofs from the show, please visit https://gailbatesphotography.shootproof.com/
Below are the high points! Download/view them as a PDF: 2023 SJPHC NCPHC Triple Crown Fall Color Challenge High Points
Official Show Paparazzi, Kaci Fleeman, was on hand to take candid photos for the early part of the show. They are available for digital download at her website:
Here are some other candid pictures from Jennifer Barbee (click on each photo to display and enlarge):
