Mark Harrell Horse Shows is wrapping up the 2008 show season and we are pleased to announce that we have managed more than 48,600 AQHA entries year to date this year! That is nearly 167,000 entries in the past four years.
Despite a general decline in entries across the nation, several of our 2008 shows far exceeded our projections. In April, the IN Youth Show in Cloverdale, Indiana, soared from 2500 entries in 2007 to nearly 5000 entries in its first year under Mark Harrell Horse Shows management.
Another mile stone of the 2008 season was in July at The Big A & Stars & Stripes in Conyers, GA. One day during The Big A we recorded the largest single day show in AQHA history. The Conyers shows totalled more than 12,000 entries!
We are excited introduce the Blue Ribbon Challenge. Blue Ribbon saddles, spurs & headstalls will be awarded in eight divisions to those showing at the March To The Arch, The International, The IN Youth Show & the Boystown Gateway Classic. Three of your four best shows will count. This is a great incentive to attend some of the best shows in the country.
We are looking to make some great improvements & additions to our 10-day run known as the Mid Summer Fling & IKI Summer Spectacular in DuQuoin, IL. Look for more parties, the ability to earn more points & some exciting news yet to come for this outstanding series of shows.
Our 2009 calendar is posted for confirmed shows & we are adding the remaining dates over the next few weeks. In addition, look for the judges to be posted soon & show bills online by the end of the month for most of the early shows.
We know that you have a choice when selecting your AQHA shows & we are very appreciative you have chosen us for your shows. We have one more show in Murray, KY before we close the 2008 books. We look forward to a great 2009 show season beginning with one of the very best shows of the year, the Arizona Sun Circuit, in beautiful Scottsdale!
