Summer ShoStopper 2023 – A Show Like No Other

July 20, 2023 | Filed under: Around The Ring Galleries,Featured,Show Results & Gallery | Posted by: Delores Kuhlwein

Northfolk Farms

Ribbon Haul!

ShoMe Horse Shows in Michigan is an organization known for doing things a little differently – don’t get us wrong – the competition at the shows is fierce!

But the name of their game, first and foremost, is fun – with a twist. Their list of special events and fun Sweepstakes classes that challenge riders’ horsemanship and their sense of joy is extensive.

Take their Sweepstakes classes, at their Summer ShoStopper for example; one class is called “Blind Showmanship Sweepstakes,” in which the exhibitors face the rail, the pattern is set, the exhibitor is handed the pattern and given 45 seconds to memorize it – then they perform! They are not allowed to watch the other competitors perform their patterns, which just adds to the fun!

Below is a list of Sweepstakes classes and their winners!

: Blind Horsemanship Champ

: Equitation Champ

MASKED HALTER – Jill Baker-Cooley

OFF SIDE SHOWMANSHIP – Aliyah Kuizenga

BLIND SHOWMANSHIP – Alyssa Woern

PAIRS WT WESTERN PLEASURE – Alayna Pluto & Dani Burkhardt

PAIRS WESTERN PLEASURE – Jenna Morse & Kaitlyn Ripley

BLIND WT HORSEMANSHIP – Ashtyn Lantz

BLIND HORSEMANSHIP – Kim Swisher

PAIRS WT ENGLISH PLEASURE – Megan Helm & Ashlee Mullins

PAIRS ENGLISH PLEASURE – Ethan Jones & Rachel Jones

BLIND WT EQUITATION – Janelle Lamke

BLIND EQUITATION – Lauren Deeds

: Pairs Champs

The most amazing fact is that their shows continue to grow in size, and their requests for “more, shows, please” are also growing in frequency.

Show producer Liz Gear, who owns and operates ShoMe Horse Shows with her husband, Kurtis Gear, explains, “Similar to our spring show, Summer ShoStopper numbers came in at nearly double last year’s with 300 stalls sold and just shy of 1500 straight entries. It’s been so amazing to see our shows really gain a following with our exhibitor base this last year. Every show now we have at least a couple folks ask when we will run more. Our answer is “as soon as we can get a date!” For 2023 we offered a “Season Pass” option that allowed exhibitors to pre-book one stall for each of our events back in January before any of our standard reservations opened. We had 140 people take advantage of that and we’re predicting we’ll have a good number more for 2024.”

Some quotes from their exhibitors:

“It’s magical!”

“This is our first big show after hitting lots of the smaller open ones and we are hooked! Amazing!”

“The most competitive open shows in the state.”

SPECIAL EVENTS

ShoMe Horse Show’s exhibitor list clamors for their fun events, too. Read on for what Liz has to say:

: Water balloons!

: Water balloon champs

Friday evening – Timed Obstacle Challenge & Ice Cream Social

Winner: Aliyah Kuizenga & Steppin On Starlite taking home $112

Aliyah completed obstacles such as a mid-ride water balloon toss and flag race as well as a quick-as-you-can stall cleaning to cinch the win! 200 servings of ice cream were gone in a flash! We’ll get at least 250 next year!”

Saturday evening – Exhibitor party (water balloon toss, buddy barrels race, tattoo & rainbow scratch art stations)

We’re estimating we had 50 pairs compete in the water balloon toss. They spanned the whole length of the arena!

Collin and Rae – Buddy Barrels champions!

Buddy Barrels – We offered two divisions, the Stick Horse race for kiddos 8 and under & Traditional Piggyback style (all ages). You find a partner and give them a ride as you run the cloverleaf pattern – fastest time wins! Collin & Rae were this year’s winners. Rae held on with just her arms as Collin powered through the pattern – it was a riot!

See the high point winners below: