Make plans to attend one of the hottest shows of the season. The 2012 Buckeye Classic will be offering over $20,000 in cash and prizes. The Ohio Amateur Quarter Horse Association and Rock Star Horse Show Management will be giving everyone their signature VIP treatment by providing excellent customer service and great prizes.
GoHorseShow sat down with Rock Star Horse Show Manager Michele Wilheim to find out more details about the show.
Q: Hi Michele! So tell us some background on the show, how did it come about?
A: The Ohio Amateur Quarter Horse Association has run the show for years, but has dedicated their Association to revitalizing and re-branding the event in 2012 as The Buckeye Classic. The OAQHA has been wonderful to work with these past few months. Their teamwork and energy are just incredible.
Q: How did Rock Star Horse Show Management get involved?
A: A few of the OAQHA members had heard good things about the shows we managed in Virginia last year. When OAQHA was brainstorming a way to energize the circuit, our company was suggested and honestly, we couldn’t be happier about the opportunity.
Q: Where will the show be held?
A: The Buckeye Classic will be held at Eden Park Equestrian Complex in Sunbury, Ohio which is about 30 minutes north of Columbus. The facility boasts one of the largest indoor heated arenas in the Midwest as well as an attached indoor warm-up pen. Pair that with three lovely outdoor arenas and there’s plenty of room to ride and warm up. It is just 15 minutes north of the Polaris area where they have a huge mall and tons of great restaurants and shopping.
Q: How many stalls have sold so far? Is there a stall reservation deadline?
A: The response to this circuit has been amazing. We’ve already confirmed about 450 stall reservations. We have sold out of permanent, shedrow stalls, but don’t be discouraged, because the portable stalls will be set up in the indoor climate-controlled area adjacent to the show pen. We ask that people contact us as soon as possible to reserve their stalls. We can only guarantee stalls until April 30th. The show is so big that we have to order portables and we have to give them a count that day on how many to bring.
Q: What are some of the new classes that will debut at this show?
A: The GoHorseShow.com Non-Pro Stakes series features $1,000 added to each of the six Non-Pro Stakes in Showmanship, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Trail, Equitation, and Hunter Under Saddle. GoHorseShow.com will also present the inaugural Non-Pro Super Horse award at this event. It doesn’t stop there. Fritz Leeman Farms $2,500 Novice Horse Hunter Under Saddle class is also drawing lots of interest. Willy Be Invited is a versatile sire and has produced great horses across many disciplines. It’s OAQHA’s pleasure to pair with the Leeman’s and to have the opportunity to highlight the quality and success of this very nice stud. Rock Star is sponsoring a $7,500 Novice Horse Western Pleasure class as well as a few of $250 added walk/jog classes. The entry fees for all of the stakes classes are very low. Even the big money classes can be entered at the event, with absolutely no late entry fees.
Q: What are some of the prizes?
A: All of the stakes classes are guaranteed money with no pro-rated payouts. If only one or two horses enter, the full purse is still awarded. As an owner myself, that’s one feature that I love about the stakes classes we manage. Other great prizes include wool coolers for the high point champions, pages to advertise in GoMag, Tiffany & Co trophies for the Novice Horse Stakes and the GoHorseShow.com Non-Pro Super Horse, as well circuit awards for every class.
Q: What sets this show apart from others?
A: It’s the biggest little show ever! With two sets of points plus a Special Event (Trail and WP on Friday), it’s amazing to have the sort of added money and prizes that the OAQHA and Rock Star have been able to assemble. The energy of the OAQHA members and their dedication to promoting the circuit are the foundation of its success. When good people join together to build something, you know the result is going to be memorable. We are also giving out 100% of the money people have donated. It is really important to us to be exhibitor focused and make it a show that people want to continue to come to year after year. That is why we aren’t charging any late fees and keeping things affordable and fun. (Rock Star group pictured right)
Q: Why should exhibitors attend?
A: There is something for everyone at The Buckeye Classic. Whether you’re an open or non-pro exhibitor, there are some very nice payouts to be had at this event. If you are looking for a low-key show for the family, then it’s a great fit. The Martz Family and Judd and Jennifer Paul are presenting an exhibitor dinner on Saturday night and they have kindly agreed to allow us to hold our free exhibitor raffle during that time. We’ll be drawing the winners of the Harris training saddle and Harris spurs during the Martz dinner and will have a couple of surprises that evening too. It is a huge “cowboy bbq” style dinner. We were thinking we could maybe call it a “top notch exhibitor party” since it will be just that!
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: The event simply wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of OAQHA and the support of GoHorseShow.com, The Martz Family, Fritz Leeman Farm, and the other key sponsors like Judd and Jennifer Paul, Harris Leather and Silverworks, Tag Heuer, Certified Images, The Hitching Post, and Boo Yah Custom Clothing. We can hardly wait until May 11 when the fun begins!
*Click here to see the GoMag ad for the show!
