March To The Arch – Celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2015!

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486 – October, 2014

By Mackenzie Patterson

The annual March To The Arch horse show will continue “Loping and Leading For a Cure” during the show’s 10th anniversary in 2015. As one of the largest and most widely attended 100% charity events in the horse show industry, the MTTA, founded by Doug Landon in 2006, has featured over 40,000 entries since its launch. Of course, the MTTA show is unique when compared to other events, because its sole purpose is to raise funds for charities that support cancer research and advances in new treatment.

AQHA judge and western pleasure trainer John Boxell says he plans his entire show schedule around the event. “Doug first started this great program because of his battle with cancer, and the show has just continued to grow. My customers and I go every year. We make sure to plan around the March To The Arch Show, because we won’t miss it.” Fellow horse trainer Joni Nelson echoes this sentiment citing the impressive array of prizes, generous donations made to the annual silent auction, and the overall feeling of camaraderie and goodwill that surrounds the event as a few of her favorite features.

“I love the show, and my customers love it. There are wonderful prizes and points to be earned, along with a fun and optimistic atmosphere,” Nelson says. “The classes are huge and, most importantly, the MTTA is held for an incredible cause. This show touches the hearts of so many people.”

After losing a loved one to cancer, industry veteran and judge Andrea Simons is passionate about raising funds to find a cure for the disease that has affected the lives of so many. In the past, she has donated her knowledge and expertise as a MTTA judge, but she’s not the only one. Each year, judges, ring staff, show management, and course designers all generously donate their time to make sure the most funds can be presented to the MTTA charity of choice.

“Whether a judge or an exhibitor at the MTTA, we’re all there for the same reason, to donate for a cure and to make the lives of those affected by cancer a little bit better,” Simons says.

Each year, the show raises funds from entry fees, a fabulous live and silent auction, selling original logo goods from the MTTA Boutique, and by holding everyone’s favorite “Ladies Western Pleasure and Showmanship” classes with accompanying Calcutta. AQHA horse trainer Whitney Lagace has contributed to the cause by purchasing plenty of fun MTTA swag at the boutique including crystal-covered drink holders, embellished hats, and stylish t-shirts. Lagace has attended and participated in every single MTTA show, and she plans to be at every show in the future. “The show is held for an excellent cause,” she says. “Every dollar that we put into any part of the show is used to help those with cancer.” Since the show’s inception in 2006, the event has donated an incredible $415,000 to numerous charities that all emphasise cancer treatment and recovery.

Halter horse trainer Jason Smith has attended and assisted with the MTTA show since the very beginning, and he is one of the major supporters and he is still working for the show today. “Everyone has known someone who has been affected by cancer, and a lot of people have personally been affected by cancer,” he says. “This show brings a competitive group of people together for the exact same reason. It’s all about the cause. That’s why this show is different than any other.”

Every single judge, show staff member, and even exhibitor in attendance does their part by devoting their time and services to the MTTA cause. “Each show is a wonderful memory and a rewarding experience,” says trainer and judge Gigi Bailey. “The MTTA is a really tough show that has taken on a new life of its own. There is great pride in winning at the show, and I’m always the first to volunteer to judge.”

The cause behind the MTTA holds a special place in judge John Boxell’s heart, because he lost his brother to cancer just a few years ago. Also, his mother is a cancer survivor who tries to attend every year. “My mother beat the disease 24 years ago,” he says. “Then, she beat it again six years ago. She has only missed one show, because she was ill. I call her John Wayne in women’s panties.” In honor of his mother and in memory of his brother, Boxell is very determined and passionate about finding a cure for this awful disease. “This show is way more about the cause than the prize,” he says.

Each year, numerous vendors and show attendees donate thoughtful and memorable items to the event’s live and silent auctions. In the past, items have included a golf cart, Blue Ribbon saddle, Golden West show pad, Showtime Show Clothing cancer-themed jacket, and even a mini donkey! “One year, [Show Managers] Mark Harrell and David Pardue’s son, Mikey, painted a picture and it was put up for bid at the auction. I think it went for about $700. It was tremendous to see how much people raised for that precious item,” Gigi Bailey says.

Rhonda Replogle, an AQHA judge and also a breast cancer survivor, comments about the tremendous success of both the live and silent auctions over the past nine years. “When it comes to raising money for curing cancer, people are willing to bid and they are enthusiastic about spending their money for the cause,” she says. “The show is fun and relaxing with lots of enjoyment in the extracurricular activities, such as the live auction.”

As for the specialty entertainment classes, the “Ladies Showmanship” and “Ladies Western Pleasure” have been tremendous attractions over the years and are regularly huge draws for spectators. During these types of classes, top industry horse trainers shed their traditional attire of a cowboy hat, jeans, and boots for sequins, sparkle, and even spandex… “The Ladies classes are guaranteed to produce a ton of laughs, and they say laughing is the best medicine for healing,” Replogle says. In the past, the colorful cast of characters has included the likes of the lovely Gloria Good Ride, Inita Moore Dough, Geisha Girl, and a few other names that aren’t suitable for print…

Another memorable event during the show is the Survivor Class, which was created to honor and celebrate those who have battled with and beaten cancer. “I have never seen a dry eye during the Survivor Classes,” says show supporter and competitor, Steve Headley. “Everyone has so much respect and admiration for those who are riding in the class.” One year, John Boxell’s mother competed in the Survivor class and won! She has remarked that winning at this special event meant just as much, if not more, to her than her previous wins at prestigious shows like the All American Quarter Horse Congress.

Each year, new plans and fresh ideas are added to the show’s agenda. Several years ago, horse trainer Michael Colvin held a breast cancer ride in memory of his mother. “All of the breast cancer survivors rode together in a class, and we all received a plaque for surviving the disease. I sincerely cherish that plaque that I have hanging in my office to this day,” Rhonda Replogle says.

Steve Headley remembers a time when a little girl suffering from terminal cancer attended the horse show festivities. “She said that her dream was to ride a horse before she died,” he says. “All of the trainers that were still on their horses from the Ladies Western Pleasure class immediately jumped off their horses and were ready to hand over the reins to that little girl. There was not a dry eye in the house.”

Because cancer runs in the family of trainer and judge Jill Newcomb, she is very supportive of the event year after year. “I love fighting back against something that has affected my family so much,” she says. “It’s amazing to see so many people sponsoring and raising money to find a cure for the disease. We’re all there to support those with cancer, those who have beaten cancer, and anyone who has been affected by cancer.”

During this interview, in honor of the event’s long running history, show founder Doug Landon made a point to express his very special thanks to all of the show’s sponsors and to each and every exhibitor that has attended over the years. “I would also like to thank show photographers Eric Hardesty and Jeff Kirkbride for all of the wonderful and unforgettable moments they both have caught on camera over the years.”

Landon is also extremely grateful to the men who have participated in the Ladies Western Pleasure and Ladies Showmanship classes. “I know it isn’t easy to get all dressed up and prance around at the end of a long show day, but I can’t thank you all enough for your efforts, the many laughs you’ve brought everyone and, most importantly, the money that you have raised by participating.”

In addition, the event simply wouldn’t function without the hard work and extraordinary commitment that Mark Harrell, David Pardue, and all of the employees at Mark Harrell Horse Shows put into running the show each year. “The whole team knows how to make everyone feel welcome. They work so hard at what they do, all year-round, in order to make the MTTA show a great experience for everyone,” Steve Headley says.

Landon says he has become extremely close with David over the years because of the similar battles the two have shared when it comes to fighting cancer. “I cannot thank David enough for how much he bends over backwards in decorating, organizing, and making everything absolutely perfect,” he says. “The entire Mark Harrell Show Team is simply amazing.”

From the very beginning, Whitney Lagace believed the MTTA show would be huge success, simply because of the excellent management and the hard working team behind the scenes. “The show management team always goes above and beyond for the exhibitors,” she says. “The stalls are always bedded before you even get there, the footing is great for the horses, there is a lot of positive personal interaction, and it’s a great place to see friends and spend time with good people. I think the world of Mark, David, and their whole team for the work they put into this show.”

AQHA competitor Debby Brehm agrees, giving a glowing recommendation of the show’s management team. “As exhibitors, we will continue to fight each year for a cure by attending and supporting this wonderful show. Some of us are Mark and David [Mark Harrell Horse Show] groupies, and we follow their shows all over the country.”

The 10th annual March To The Arch Horse Show, held in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, will take place February 26 – March 1, 2015. Let’s make this year’s show the best one yet! “It’s truly a first class event that you do not want to miss,” Newcomb says.