Amateur competitor, Sydney Miller, and long-time horse show mom and novice rider, Michele Wilhelm, came up with the idea of starting their own horse show management company last summer. Following a four-day show, they were chatting about convenience services that could have been offered by show management. After listening to them for a few minutes, Sydney’s husband, Keith Miller, an AQHA Professional Horseman, said “stop talking about it and do something about it.” And so, RockStar Horse Show Management was born.
“We knew that the economy has had a negative impact on attendance at shows, and as a result, our events would need to be measurably different from anything else offered in our area,” Wilhelm said.
Fortunately, the leadership at the Virginia Quarter Horse Association (VQHA) including, Gene Montgomery, Steve Meadows, and Connie Christopher, were willing to listen to their ideas and allowed them to begin their inaugural year partnered with them to promote a series of shows over a period of five months in Culpeper, Virginia. The first show of the series begins on May 5th.
Their business model is focused upon meeting the needs and expectations of exhibitors. As a fully-integrated management company, they are able to manage every detail of each show–all the while keeping the exhibitor in mind. This allows them to ensure that their shows are run just as they have envisioned.
“We’re absorbing much of the costs associated with our shows this year so that we can kick start the circuit and bring exhibitors back to the show pen,” Wilhelm said. “Not only are our entry and stall fees among the lowest on the east coast–our prizes and series end awards are some of the best we’ve seen and include a Gore horse trailer, Apple MacBook computers, iPads, and lots of fine items from Harris Leather.”
Michele adds, “But please don’t think that the big prizes are aimed only at the big trainers with the famous horses. We know that many exhibitors who don’t have the luxury of a trainer take pride in and avidly show their horses and as a result, we’re also offering prizes to random exhibitors finishing between 3rd and 10th place in every class. All exhibitors are eligible for our weekly free raffle prizes that include a Harris halter and headstall and a Pessoa bridle. So you don’t need to win your class to go home with a great prize and wonderful memories.”
RockStar Horse Show Management is excited about the opportunity offered to them by VQHA and look forward to making this show season in Virginia something to remember.
Exhibitors can get all of the current information about their shows at their new website: www.Rockstarhorseshows.com that was designed by Kristin Martin of CERTIFIEDimages. They are adding more information almost daily, so please check back often for updates.
