PQHA’s Final Show of the Year, Nittany Classic and Futurity, Closes Out 2014 on a High Note

By: Rita McMullen

The Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association hosted their third and final AQHA show of the season and is proud to report that all three shows exceeded the previous year’s entries. The Nittany Classic combined a great facility with the ability to show, rain or shine, large exhibitor classes with four sets of points in a split/combined format, friendly and efficient show management, and included 17 Futurity classes with $3,500 added money.

Carla Weaver, PQHA Futurity Chairman was very pleased with the Futurity turnout. “Especially at a time when many shows have dropped their futurity programs, it’s great to see how many spectators are in the arena to see the babies show,” Weaver says. “We had very nice futurity babies and horses at our show.”

The AQHA show hosted four judges: Holly Hover, Pam Scott, Lori Gingrich, and Larry Little. which was a huge draw for exhibitors to attend the Nittany Classic. “We are up 12% in entries from last year,” says Frank Salopek, PQHA President. “It’s very nice to see so many new faces experiencing our shows, and we also appreciate the loyalty of our returning exhibitors.”

Trail, Showmanship, and Horsemanship boasted large numbers in the classes, but the Hunt Seat and Western events also had six-eight points available as well. There were over 600 entries that competed during the weekend. PQHA also hosted their annual Exhibitor’s dinner to show their appreciation to the exhibitors, Centre County Grange Staff, PQHA volunteers, and show staff.

Some of the largest classes at the show included Novice Amateur Hunter under Saddle with 25, Open Trail with 20, Novice Youth Showmanship with 21, Novice Amateur Showmanship with 22, Amateur Showmanship with 20, Novice Youth Horsemanship with 21, Novice Amateur Horsemanship with 25, G/O Western Pleasure with 17, and Senior Western Pleasure with 14.

Ed Campbell, PQHA Show Manager, says, “The PQHA Nittany Classic was a success thanks to the efforts and dedication of the officers, directors, and show staff who volunteer their time to work at the show. Everything went smoothly, and it is my pleasure to manage a show for an organization like PQHA.”

Complete show results can be viewed by clicking here: www.pqha.org.

PQHA encourages exhibitors planning their 2015 show schedule to save the first weekend in June, the Mid-July show, and Labor Day Weekend to plan to attend upcoming PQHA events. “We got you covered!”

Scroll below to view fun around the ring photos courtesy of Jodie Billingslee, Lyndsey Witherite, and Rita McMullen.