With 950+ Stalls Reserved Big A & Stars N Stripes is Shaping up to be Largest Ever!

By: Brittany Bevis

With several new additions to the show schedule in 2016, the Big A & Stars N Stripes is shaping up to be the largest circuit in the event’s history. With just one week left before the circuit kicks off on July 1st, there are 950+ stalls reserved and over 165 RV spots claimed!

The show begins July 1-3 with the Stars N Stripes and continues July 5-10 with the Big A, all in Conyers, GA. A new addition this year is the Eastern States Championship that will take place July 1-3. AQHA members will be able to compete for trophies and prizes in amateur, select, and youth divisions so long as they have qualified nationally by showing to 10 AQHA judges.

Also, the Show For Dough futurity will be held in conjunction with the circuit on July 6-9. The Show For Dough will provide 100% NSBA payback, and novice and limited divisions will be offered in all disciplines.

Also, Premier Quarter Sires classes will take place at the show. A guaranteed payout of $25,000 will be presented in the 3-Year-Old Limited Horse Limited Rider Western Pleasure and the 3-Year-Old Limited Horse Limited Rider Hunter Under Saddle. Other classes will include the Limited Horse Limited Rider Non Pro Maturity Western Pleasure and Limited Horse Limited Rider Non Pro Maturity Hunter Under Saddle.

The entire circuit begins with a Welcome Back BBQ Friday on July 1st and will continue with an Exhibitors’ Party in conjunction with the Huntfield Derby under the lights on Monday, July 4th. An Ice Cream Social will be held Wednesday, July 6th, and competitors can enjoy send-off sliders and drinks by the ring on July 8th. 

For those headed to the circuit, there are a few important points you need to remember:

#1- Stall availability cannot be guaranteed after 6/22/06 (today). If paperwork hasn’t been received, stalls will not be reserved.

#2- If you haven’t mailed your stall, shavings, or rv paperwork, please fax or email from now until Friday. Mail will not be checked after Friday. Fed Ex should arrive by 10 am Friday morning to ensure receipt. Relax, there is no pre-entry. Entries are taken at the horse show.

#3- Shavings and pre-bedding orders need to be in by Friday. You may order at the show, but it’s first come first served. If you’re dreading bedding your stalls have a GQHA youth do it for you! A shavings order must be on file with GQHA to have stalls pre-bedded. A youth will contact you about which stalls should be bedded and which should be tack stalls. The charge is $10 per stall or $125 for more than 10 stalls.

The pattern book for the Big A and Stars N Stripes has been posted online at MarkHarrellHorseShows.com. Please print it out before you come to the show to save $5.

For more information about the circuit visit http://markharrellhorseshows.com/BigApage.html.

Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com for photos and complete results from the show as well as an EC Blog from AQHA youth competitor, Mackenzie Matthews.