Memorial Day Fun at Arkansas Quarter Horse Association Circuit and Stanford Happening

Arkansas Quarter Horse Association

Arkansas Quarter Horse’s annual Memorial Day circuit with Equine Omega Complete Stanford Happening classes was a great success in Tunica, Mississippi this past weekend. The judges for the weekend were Suzy Jeane, Valerie Kearns, Brad Luebben, and Brent Tincher. Circuit champions were awarded chairs and Stanford participants had shots at money, buckles, and other great prizes. The Arkansas youth raffled off a utility trailer from Trailer Country of Cabot. Trailer Country also had a ‘game of chance’ with $700 at stake for three lucky people. Some highlights from the show were the Blind Horsemanship Challenge and the Dog Race.

This was the 14^th year for the Stanford Happening Memorial. Jerry Stanford had a dream to bring a major futurity to Arkansas. Thus, the original Stanford Happening was held in July 1993 at Whispering Oaks (Triple Crown) Arena in Cabot. It was open to all breeds, and Stanford classes have remained that way since.

Jerry was a major influence in the Western Pleasure industry and helped to create the modern day western horse. Two horses that put him on the map were The Investor and Dynamic Deluxe. Jerry guided many of our present-day trainers and exhibitors. He originally called Texas his home, but soon after his move to Arkansas in 1986, he adopted it as his home. The horse industry suffered a major loss at Jerry’s sudden death in 2002. Because of the impact Jerry had on many of us, ArQHA felt it appropriate to hold an Annual Stanford Happening Memorial as a tribute to this great trainer, teacher, and friend. Just as Jerry wished for all the exhibitors at the first Stanford Happening, we wish “that each and every one here leaves with money, prizes, smiley faces and fond memories.”

This year, Stanford awards included 16 buckles (sponsored by Equine Omega Complete), a saddle (sponsored by Ferguson Tack), and nearly $3,000 in cash payouts. Stanford classes were 10 and under Walk Trot, 11 and over Walk Trot, Non-Pro Level 1 Western Pleasure, and Open Ranch Riding. Stanford buckles were presented in Western Pleasure classes on Saturday and Ranch Riding classes on Sunday. There was a tie in the 11 and over Walk-Trot. In the end, the saddle went home with Judy Matthews and Cookiez, and the reserve champion buckle left with Spencer Hardin and Zipit Martha Stewart.

There was also a tie in the Youth Western Pleasure, Sidney More and Suddenlee Single took home the champion buckle and Caroline Latture and Eye On The Ball were reserve. The Ward sisters stole the show and the buckles in the Amateur Western Pleasure. Lori Ward and KM Jazz It Up were champions and Whitney Ward and Kissin Dynamite were reserve. Marianne Harrington and HP Surely Im Sleepy won the Select Western Pleasure champion buckle and Vickie Strickland and Impulse Of Hope took the reserve. Nicole Lewis and Suddenly No Warning took the Level 1 Youth Ranch Riding champion buckle and Dalton Hitchcock and Prize Chex took reserve. Tammie Weaver and PJ Color Me Dunn received the Level 1 Amateur Ranch Riding champion buckle and Darrell Dickerson and Hollywood Dun Tari took reserve.

A new class for the Stanford Happening was the $500 added Non-Pro Level 1 Western Pleasure. This class was open to level 1 non-pros and/or level 1 horses (a novice could show any horse or any non-pro could show a green horse, horses must be family owned.) Julie Crossland and Ubetimwhistlindixie were unanimous champions and walked out of Paul Battle arena with a champion buckle and $400 in their pockets. Sidney More and Suddenlee Single left with a reserve champion buckle and $240.

Once again, the Open Ranch Riding was the largest class of the weekend. The $500 added Stanford class ran concurrently with the Open on Sunday night. Karen Johnson and GHQ Summer Camp received the champion buckle. She was also the highest placing non-pro, so she received the non-pro champion buckle, as well. The reserve champion buckle was given to Randy Schaffhauser and Wimpys Superman.

The Blind Horsemanship Challenge was held Saturday night after the horsemanship classes. This was the first year for this fun class and sixteen exhibitors participated. The exhibitors entered the arena and faced the rail. Each person was given 60 seconds to look at the pattern, while the person in front of them worked. Once the 60 seconds was up, he or she turned around and went to the start cone whether they were ready or not. A silent calcutta auction was held during the day on Saturday, and all of the money raised was put into a pot. First, second, and third place winners split the $405 pot with their highest bidder. Money and random prizes were awarded to fourth through ninth place. Exhibitors who did not place in the top nine went into a drawing for a pair of Justin boots. Shealei White won the boots.

The dog race was held Sunday night in the back arena, and there were over a twenty dogs ready to run. The dogs were split into two groups: large and small. The small dogs ran first, and the winner was Wrangler, a ten month old Australian Shepard, with handlers Caitlyn and Wendy Rains. The large dog winner was Reed, a 2 year old Golden Retriever, with handlers Rachael and Joseph Richardson. The two dogs faced off for the champion title and tied. After a run off, Wrangler crossed the finish line first. He was awarded a custom Quillin dog collar sponsored by Shelby Layne Photography.

Blind Horsemanship Challenge

1. Hayley Saul and Putadrinkinmyhand/Jenny Honey – $202.50
2. Lee Mize and From Dixie With Luv/Randall Mize – $121.50
3. Hannah Longing and An Impulse Machine/Jenny Honey – $81.00
4. Rhonda Williams and Cinimer Jae
5. Shelby Layne Ridgway and Who Invited Him
6. Caitlin Moran and RL A Sudden Kiss
7. Spencer Hardin and Zipit Martha Stewart
8. Marianne Copps and Talkin Too Sweet
9. Ariel Herrin and Hes A Zippo Good Bar

Non-Pro Level 1 Western Pleasure

1. Julie Crossland and Ubetimwhistlindixie – $400, champion buckle
2. Sidney More and Suddenlee Single – $240, reserve buckle
3. Michael Moore and Our Sleepy Valentine – $160

Ranch Riding

1. Karen Johnson and GHQ Summer Camp – $425, champion buckle and non-pro buckle
2. Randy Schaffhauser and Wimpys Superman – $321, reserve buckle
3. Hannah Lovrien and Conquistador LTD – $214
4. Bob Johnson and Ima Pepperokie – $107

11 and Over Walk Trot

1. Judy Matthews and Cookiez – $180, saddle
2. Spencer Hardin and Zipit Marta Stewart – $135, reserve buckle
3. Claire Gezley and KM Bos Country Girl – $90
4. Terry Jackson and The Pineapple Express – $45

ArQHA’s next show will be in Texarkana, Arkansas on December 2-4. Be sure to ‘Like’ us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram (@arkansasquarterhorse) to keep up with what we are doing. Go to our website for more information – arkansasquarterhorse.com.