OPHC Youth Stallion Auction Benefits Ashley Marie Huntington Memorial Scholarship Fund, Bid Now Until Dec. 30th

Edited press release

Equine Auction Exchange, a dual core business specializing in brokering horses and horse related equipment and hosting online horse auctions, is pleased to announce their participation in the 2013 Holiday Classic Youth Fundraiser.

Each year at the Holiday Classic Horse Show, which is sponsored by the Oklahoma Paint Horse Club (OPHC), the youth club holds a silent auction to raise money for worthwhile causes such as Challenged Riders, entry into the AjPHA Youth Team Tournament, and pizza parties for members and guests at horse shows, just to name a few.

This year, however, things took a very tragic and sad turn with the loss of Ashley Marie Huntington, a beloved young woman who was an inspiration and very important to many equestrians throughout the American Paint Horse Association. Instead of the normal fundraising activities, OPHC will hold a Western Pleasure Calcutta class. The youth club has obtained some really nice donations for both a silent and online auction.

When Ashley lost her brave battle in October, the Green Country Paint Horse Club of Oklahoma, of which Ashley was also a member, petitioned the American Paint Horse Association to memorialize her with a scholarship. APHA granted approval, but $25,000 must be raised to fully endow the Ashley Marie Huntington Memorial Scholarship.

While nice merchandise donations were being obtained, OPHC Board member Tracy Grasz had an idea to obtain a couple of breeding donations. First contacted was Erin Bradshaw, friend and teammate of Ashley on the Gibbs Show Horses team. Bradshaw jumped at the chance to offer a breeding to multiple APHA World and Reserve World Champion, John Simon—a favorite horse of her late friend and fellow competitor.

Needless to say, the club was thrilled. Bradshaw was very helpful in providing tips for the auction, such as advertising it online so everyone could have an opportunity to bid. Without the guidance of Bradshaw, the auction we have today would not be possible. Ashley’s trainer and friend, Jenna Hyde, along with Jeffrey Gibbs, volunteered to donate a month of training from Gibbs Show Horses, valued at $1,000! Jeffrey and Jenna are two accomplished trainers in APHA, with many World and Reserve World Championships between them and their clients, High Point awards at world shows, and many NSBA wins.

Online bidding started on December 23rd and runs through December 30th, 2013. Prospective buyers can preview the items and bid at our website located at http://www.equineauctionexchange.com.

About Equine Auction Exchange:

Equine Auction Exchange was founded by Shane Watson. He has been a licensed auctioneer for 13 years. His experience includes the All American Congress Super Sale, Rodrock Ranches Herd Reduction Sale, Reichert Celebration Yearling Sale, Tom Powers Yearling Sale, Rita Crundwell Production Sale, the Appaloosa World Show Sale and many of the Tatersall Sales.