Behind-the-Scenes at the SOQHA Madness With Eric Mendrysa

EC Blog by: Eric Mendrysa

Day 1 of the SOQHA Madness started off with a bang with large numbers in Trail classes, amazing weather in the high 80s, and not lacking any sunshine. The outdoor pen was packed daily, which was a nice change from the year’s past where we might have seen a little snow. With 33 shown in the Junior Trail, 22 in the Select Trail, 53 in the Green Trail, and 20 in the Amateur Trail, Day 1 had some great horses and competition. VS Code Me Lucky took home a 1,000 check for winning the NSBA Green Trail with Nick Mayabb aboard.

Day 2 saw huge numbers in the Showmanship and Horsemanship pens, with 49 showing in the amateur and 32 in the youth. Jessica Baird and her gorgeous mare, Cool Lopin Lady, won Amateur Showmanship at the Madness under all six cards, taking home 77 points for the weekend! The winner of the $2,000 added $10,000 Limited Horse Western Pleasure was James Deen Daydream with Jason English aboard, owned by Kari Craft.

Day 3 was the big day for The Equine Chronicle Novice Horse slot class. The stakes were high and the stands were full, leaving standing room only. The crowd favorite and winner of the $15,000 check was Its A Pretty Thing with Aaron Moses in the saddle. Reserve in the class was Bret Parrish riding Pistol Packin Mann.

Saturday was the day with the most anticipation for me, since the Maiden Western Pleasure class was on the schedule. There were 18 amazing horses competing for the very first time, and it wasn’t until the final judges’ card was announced that we realized my horse, The Silver Foxx, aka “GG,” was named the winner of the class with Dave Archer! Reserve in the class was Angie Cannizzaro with CowboyPutASpellOnMe, owned by Leeman Farms.

Judges for this year’s show circuit included: Sissy Anderson, Jessica Gilliam, Jennifer Leckey, Bruce Walquist, Brad Jewett and Clint Fullerton. The High Point awards were calculated on Sunday afternoon and were awarded to exhibitors all the way through fifth place. Hes Suddenly Handsom & Emma Gore won the Small Fry; Always A Good Time & Maggie Kirian won the L1 Amateur; Version Of Goodbar & Sarah Lebsock won the Amateur L3; Pawn Star & Teresa Balkcum won the Select; Lonesome At The Bar & Kyleigh Buhl won the L1 Youth; Ima Tuff Barpasser & Caroline Fredenburg won the 13 & Under; Zips Bossy Chip & Ellexxah Maxwell won the Youth L3; and Snap Krackle Pop won the Open All-Around for owner Twyla Brown.

Parties, prizes, free breakfast, free afternoon parties… it’s no wonder this show is a favorite. Great job to SOQHA and everyone involved! This horse show was truly a mini Congress and will keep us coming back every year. The classes were huge, the competition was deep, and the weather was perfect. Every year, this facility keeps getting bigger and better and more accommodating to the exhibitors and trainers alike.