Here We Go! 2014 Show For Dough Doubles in Size From Last Year

By: Brittany Bevis

The name says it all. The 2014 Show For Dough celebrated its inaugural year in 2013 and is back again for a second run in Tunica, Mississippi, May 7-11. According to show management, the event has doubled in size from the previous year. However, the ambitious group of gentlemen at the helm of this operation, Charles Cannizzaro, Brad Jewett, and Dave Dellin, don’t plan to rest on their laurels just yet.

“It’s looking pretty good so far, just from the handful of classes we had yesterday,” Cannizzaro says. “It’s twice as big as it was last year. Also, the signature 3-Year-Old Novice Horse class is bigger than it was last year. If we’ve doubled in size in two years time, and we double in size next year, which I believe it will, we’ll be golden.”

“People have come from as far north as Ohio and as far east as South Carolina. We also have a lot of Texas and Oklahoma people, so our attendance across the country has definitely improved as well.”

With their motto, “All Money, All The Time,” the main focus of the Show For Dough program is on the transparency of show payback methods. Not only is there 100% payback of entry fees, premium checks are awarded during the event, preventing the long wait by the mailbox to recoup your hard-earned rewards.

“Everyone that’s here thinks this is the greatest futurity they’ve ever been to,” Cannizzaro says. “The reason is twofold. First, we are horse show people. We put on a horse show by exhibitors, for exhibitors. We get it, which in turn makes exhibitors get it. They are happy with the help from the show office and staff, and we are very transparent. This is the only futurity in the country that’s this transparent.”

“Very simply, we give 100% payback. If there are ten horses in a class and the entry fee calls for $100, then there is a $1,000 purse. There are no fees and no portion of that comes out. People really love the fact that they can still be in the middle of the pen and know how much they’re going to win.”

The show began yesterday with a half day of Western Riding, Western Pleasure, and Trail, and $9,200 was already paid out in 12 classes.

“Everyone is ecstatic,” says Dave Dellin. “Every award is given out here at the show. They love that. People from yesterday have already been paid.”

Here’s a look at the payout in action. The Maturity $2,500 Rider Ltd. Open Western Pleasure had eight entries for a $1,600 purse. Winning the class was Katie Johnson, who took home $640. The Maturity $10,000 Limited Horse Western Pleasure had seven entries with a $400 entry fee for a purse of $2,400. Jay Starnes was the winner of $1,260, Shane Dowdy came in second place winning $980, and Cleve Wells won $560 for third place. The Maturity Limited Open Western Pleasure had four entries with a $1,600 purse. Kyle DeFreece won the class earning $960. Jeff Cochran was second winning $640.

Throughout the show, exhibitors from multiple breeds will have the opportunity to compete in classes like Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Trail, Western Riding, Showmanship, Horsemanship, Equestrian, and Riders with Disabilities, all for the chance to win cold, hard cash. A few featured classes on the schedule this year include the $10,000 added 3-Year-Old $2,500 Limited Horse Western Pleasure that will take place on Saturday and the $2,500 Junior/Green Trail Challenge. The Challenge will be open to horses that are five years of age or under and eligible for the Green eligible as based on NSBA rules.

Judges for the show are Tracy Willis, John Boxell, Murray Griggs, Robin Griggs, Mike Hawkins, and Ty Hornick.

Stay tuned for photos and results coming soon.