It’s that time of year again in Mississippi. The heat is thick–you can breath it.. You can feel the dampness of the southern humidity against your skin, and the horses relax in the Mississippi heat, all signaling it’s time for the 2011 Southern Belle Invitation.
The faces of The Southern Belle Invitation remain the same, with some new additions. Owners, Connie Hill and Mike Coggin, will, of course, be there. Connie and Mike both have busy schedules outside of the horse industry making their dependence on Chris Darnell, show and breeder secretary, a key to success for the show. Mike’s demanding trucking business caused him to miss a portion of the show in 2010, and, with the growth of his business in 2011, additional staff will be working to help alleviate some of the workload.
“We have always been very hands on with our exhibitors, and the day to day management of the show, but as things have grown, Mike and I realize that it is imperative to have quality staff members who have similar work ethic and principals as we do, and engage them to help us meet the demands of the futurity as we network across multiple shows,” Connie Hill told GoHorseShow.com.
Neal Kring and Haley Saul have become permanent staff with the show and the exhibitors will continue to see the same Ohio crew return as in previous years– Chris Darnell, Candy, Cindy, Ed and Chris.
The Southern Belle has looked for opportunities to diversify and enhance its value to the trainer, exhibitor, owner and breeder. The Breeder’s program has been successfully networked into key shows that provides the Breeder more benefit for the Stallion donation. (Pictured left Chris Cecil hard at work)
The Southern Belle Breeder’s classes have become the most elite Breeder’s event in the equine industry with over 120 stallions participating. The Southern Belle Breeder’s Classes are offered at The All American Quarter Horse Congress, The American Paint Horse Association World Show, The American Quarter Horse Association World Show, The Sun Circuit, The Prairie Classic, The Virginia Quarter Horse Classic and The Reichert Celebration.
Connie Hill states that Chris Darnell has been the backbone of the Breeder’s Program. “We come up with ideas and she makes them reality, so it’s a great partnership, and she has a very good business mind.”
This year, The Southern Belle Invitation, announced further value in its Breeder’s program by announcing that Southern Belle Breeder’s Classes will be held at the American Paint Horse Association World Show and the AQHA World Show, and again at the All American Quarter Horse Congress.
“People say they are so surprised that we are taking the Breeder’s program to this depth, and I tell all of them, that this was a thought process that started 10-12 years ago. Because of the work of Mike Coggin and Chris Darnell we have seen many of our dreams come true,” Hill said. “Mike spent countless hours promoting this show and its programs to the trainers, and Chris took it to the Breeder’s. The team work has paid off!”
If you haven’t entered yet, there is still time. Call Chris Darnell at 870-926-5285. Exhibitors night is Thursday July 14, 2011, and remember the $200,000 three year old Breeder’s class, will be held Saturday night.
Click here to view the Southern Belle Invitation website
