Palmetto PHC Celebrates Lester and Sharon Kostrova at 40th Anniversary Show
Photos by Mickey Keys Barnett
“We get SO MANY folks always asking about Lester and Sharon (Kostrova). They have been staples as show secretary and announcer along the East Coast for countless years. I’m sharing our 40th Anniversary info because they attended and hoped you could share our photos for everyone to see them. They are near and dear to so many people.” – Lynn Noel Hurst, PPHC President.
Recap of the 40th anniversary show and photos, including time spent with Lester and Sharon Kostrova, from Lynn Noel Hurst, current Palmetto Paint Horse Club President:
While we had SO MANY longtime friends join us to celebrate, there were several things to punctuate that made this show so very special to all of us.
Dawn Parker, I’m a firm believer that her picture is next to the words, Energizer Bunny. She is a ninja planner. From getting the meal sponsored, ordering the cake, getting decorations, planning the Vintage Versatility (Halter, Showmanship, Trail, horsemanship and GOAT TYING 🐐🐐)!! She was also our Show Manager. She’s definitely a blessing to our club!
Jessica O’Connor, the photographer we all dearly love, started Saturday off by supplying doughnuts, mimosas and mock tails! She also set and provided prizes for a Showmanship challenge to the exhibitor with the highest score. That winner was Kristin Roman with her 24 yr old mare, Magestics Showgirl. We can’t thank Jessica enough for always being a huge supporter of our club. Please support her and purchase lots of photos!
Duane De Mello made the dinner and festivities super special Saturday evening by providing live music and singing. We were impressed with his talents and found ourselves singing along. Duane and his family have been huge supporters of PPHC in the short amount of time they have been PPHC members. You can find him on FB including his live feeds. Thank you again, Duane!
We had the pleasure of having the first PPHC President in the house, Wes Daniels. He provided some history on the roots of PPHC. We also had several folks that received a small token of our appreciation for being a PPHC Influential Individual. We shared stories about these folks that explained why each of them were so special to us.
The highlight for all of us was spending 8 hours with Sharon and Lester Kostrova. I shared the comments that many of you made on my last post with their picture. It was so sweet to watch their faces light up. They knew exactly who each person was and shared something with me about them. Maybe where they were from, how long they knew them, a story about them. It was such a treat for them to know that each of you thought of them.
Hearing Lester back on the intercom announcing the versatility challenge was music to our ears. We definitely didn’t want them to leave Saturday night when the show was over. We hugged them tight. I’m certain they know how much they are loved! ❤️❤️
The Vintage Versatility Challenge was no match for our very own PPHC Treasurer, Jessica Johnson. She was the winner, with Lindsay Mc Knight closely behind. Because of an anonymous donor who threw in some cash, and several other generous folks who chipped in, each exhibitor left with some cash in hand 💵. Jessica also walked away with the trophy! 🏆
Because all the fun had us ending late on Saturday, we saved one of the best Influential awards for last and awarded that to Sharon (Sheri) Schaefer on Sunday. Anyone that has shown at a PPHC show knows her and knows how deserving she is.
Not only do we have dedicated and great PPHC officers and board members, we have THE BEST members that support us, show after show, year after year. We also can’t forget about our SPONSORS. Without each and every one of them, we couldn’t do all we have done this year. In addition to the ones listed in the photos, we can’t forget about Larry Westfall, Janet Kennedy, Jessica O’ Connor, Lester & Sharon Kostrova, Wes & Anne Daniels and Pete & Cindy Smith.
THANK YOU, Mickey Keys Barnett, for capturing these special memories for all of us! We can’t thank you enough!
We captured many of the fond comments posted for Lester and Sharon posted in the Official Palmetto Paint Horse Club group over the past few weeks below:
Chris Thompson
What an awesome weekend you all had! So happy to see Lester and Sharon at the show!! Im jealous of Lynn and Lindsay…getting to hug them!!❤️
Lynn Noel Hurst
Chris Thompson we literally hugged them so many times Saturday, that it may have made up for all of the folks that didn’t get a chance to! 🥰🥰
Larry Westfall
Thanks I really enjoyed seeing some old friends I’m glad I’m still remembered I have had a blessed life. Thank you, lord.
Kristin Taylor
I may not have a paint but I’ll always be a forever all breeder! PPHC has always been the most welcoming. Everyone cheers for everyone, even their competitors!
Wes Daniels
It was a special night Anne and I had a great time and enjoyed seeing old friends. We are real proud that the club is alive and doing well. Taking the time to recognize us and others was truly a class act. Thank you.
Janet Kennedy
What a beautiful evening filled with beautiful people!!
Thank you, Lynn. for your wonderful recap! Although I couldn’t be there, your post made me feel as if I was!
Congratulations to all the show winners and all the individuals recognized throughout the years for your many contributions to PPHC.
We have an AWESOME show family!!
A very special thank you to all who helped out front and behind the scenes. It takes a village and PPHC has a very, very special village!
Mickey Keys Barnett
What a special night with special people being recognized. ❤️❤️
Pat Mathis Smith
What a wonderful celebration!!! ❤️❤️😊
Aimee Soyka
Such a wonderful night of stories!!
Jaime Foutty
Thank you for recording that!
Brittany Musgrave
That voice gave me flash backs of so many great memories. ♥️
Renee Sigmon Marshall
Wow! So great to hear that familiar voice! Still clear & steady!!
Justin Watkins
❤️❤️
Sara Torres
Dan your fav announcer ever made a guest appearance in SC this weekend.
Kimberly Lee Brittenham
Was so happy to see Lester!
Davis Dunahoe
This voice makes my soul happy. ❤️ ❤️
Aimee Soyka
Davis Dunahoe I cried when he first came on❤️
Ellen Hillyer
That’s how a horse show is supposed to sound❤️
Breann Thompson Ethridge
That is THE BEST voice!!! It was great seeing them both last night. Sure miss them! 💟
Vicki Majewski Simmons
Aw Lester ❤️ I hate I wasn’t there this weekend.
Abbey Sheftel Turner
Oh that voice!!! The memories we made. The best announcer in the land!!!
Martha Henley Sledge
Congratulations
Ann Evans
LESTER….
Robin Patterson Woschkolup
Listening to that was like a trip back in time. There’s nothing in this world that beats a horse show weekend.
Robin Brantley Lynn
The best!!!!!!
Amy Finger Gee
How fun. He was great and it shows how we all loved them at the shows. Glad they could make it.
Lauren Johnson
Aweee Lester!
Lisa Palmer
That voice brings back great memories showing there. 😊 Lester and Sharon were always so friendly and welcoming.
Debbie MacDonald
Loved seeing them ❤️
Susan Rouse
So good to hear Lester’s voice. He is the best.
Ryan Elizabeth Hanckel
Yayyyyayyyyayyyyyyy!!!!!
Barbara Monroe Prather
Love them both!😉❤️
Heather Jenckes
Lynn Noel Hurst I just may need to make a trip down! Miss them and you all
Alison Umberger
❤️❤️❤️ please give them my best!
Lynn Noel Hurst
Alison Umberger he said ahhh man- when I read your message to him.
Rema Payne McCue
I would love to reach out to them with a call or card. Think they would mind if it was shared here? Such a deep part of the club’s history. Miss them… and showing.
Lynn Noel Hurst
I will check with them this Saturday to see if they would mind.
Betsy Cauble
Woohoo!!!!
Aimee Soyka
Top contributor
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Carolyn Plummer
Love these folks
Breann Thompson Ethridge
Yay!!! 💟💟💟
Chris Arnold
Great people right there…!!
Jessica Allason
Miss them so much!
Dan Whitehouse
Two special people right there 
Lyn Fick
Please tell them hi from me!
Lynn Noel Hurst
Lyn Fick he says hello!
Mickey Keys Barnett
💕💕
Sheri Forrester
The best secretary announcer pair ever!
Lynn Noel Hurst
Sheri Forrester he said “are you kidding me” Sheri commented!
Shane Byerly
Ole Sugar Plum !!! Two of the best people.
Taunya Momberger
So wish I could be there!!!! Give them my best ❤️
Susan Rouse
Love these wonderful people.
Doug Meador
Two Greats !!!
Shannon Thrower
I miss you guys so much!!! I’ll see you this weekend.
Ray Dail
Wonderful people
Susan White
❤️❤️
Millie Warner Corder
Two of my favorite folks!!! Hello my friends!
Gretchen Hash Heffner
Two of the best people on earth there!!! 💕💕💕
Renee Sigmon Marshall
Great, great people that have served the horse industry well!
Rebekah May
The best announcer and show secretary ever 💕💕🙏🏻
Lynn Noel Hurst
Rebekah May I read him your message and he said “oh my goodness”
John Bryant
one of the best !
M Lynn Everette
Best people I’ve ever known. Sending much love to Lester and Sharon. Miss you guys. Sending prayers and many blessings!
Sheldon Hehr
So many memories
Sylvia Johnson
Wonderful folks!
Jane Luoma King-Shirer
Working with Lester was so fun! I didn’t mind getting ‘ragged’ by him at all! Loved sweet Sharon. Wasn’t the same without them at the Camden show ❤️
Tina Alvarado Shanahan
Oh goodness! I miss these two! Please extend my best wishes.
Denise Williams Tullis
Awe, I miss those two. Please tell them hello from myself and Kristin.
Sharon Horn
Hello!!
Kimberly Lee Brittenham
Was so great seeing Lester and hearing him announcing Saturday night. I’m so sorry I missed Sharon.
For more information on Palmetto Paint Horse Club in South Carolina, visit:
Palmetto Paint Horse Club (pphc.net)
