With huge numbers and great enthusiasm, the Buckeye Classic
took place last weekend in Sunbury, Ohio, hosted by The Ohio Quarter Horse
Amateur Association. It was
evident that this hot new event was the place to be to ring in Mother’s Day and
compete in the exciting $1,000 GoHorseShow.com stakes classes.
As to be expected in Ohio, the
competition was fierce with a virtual Who’s Who in attendance. Ohio Amateur, Justin
Billings, commented that exhibitors came from as far away as Nebraska, Texas
and South Carolina! Turnout for the Stakes classes was impressive – the two biggest classes were Showmanship with 20 entries and 18 in the Hunter Under Saddle.
I was
fortunate enough to attend the event where I caught up with some of the lucky
winners who not only won lots of cash but custom embroidered GoHorseShow.com
coolers and two complimentary pages in GoMag valued at $260.
Check out what the winners had to say:
$1,000 Showmanship Stakes Winner
Riley Herman, Just Good Enough
Class Winner:
Showmanship; also competed in
horsemanship.
Trainer: Missy
Thyfault
Goals: To
achieve a call back at the Youth World where he will be exhibiting in Showmanship,
Trail, Horsemanship and possibly Halter.
What are your plans for the stakes money? To pay for my show tab!
Thoughts after winning: I was hoping to win it for mom for Mother’s Day since I
didn’t get her anything. I was so psyched!
Next show: Findlay
$1,000 Trail Stakes Winner
Lacy Watson, HF Tahnee Too
Trainers:
Parents – Shane and Jamie Watson
Goals: To place in the Trail at the AQHYA World
Show
What are your plans for the stakes money? The money paid for my horse show bill!
Thoughts after winning: I was really excited and proud of my
horse, Tahnee because that was the most difficult Trail pattern she has ever
done!!
Previous Accomplishments: 3rd in NYATT
Horsemanship & Winning the OQHA Youth All-Around 2011
$1,000 Horsemanship Stakes Winner
Marissa Dalton, RL Best of Faith
Trainer: Dan
and Darlene Trein
Goals: To be
more consistent.
What are your plans for the stakes money? The money went straight to my parents because they
pay for everything!
Thoughts after winning: I was really excited, as it was our first show back since the
Congress in October. There were a lot of good
riders and it was very cool to come out on top!
Next show: Redbud
Interesting Fact: Marissa only showed in GoHorseShow.com stakes classes at the
Buckeye Classic so kudos to her! She
was thrilled that GHS sponsored these classes!
$1,000 HUS Stakes Winner
Melanie Lowers, Art of Course
Trainer: Missy
Thyfault
What are your plans for the stakes money? My parents had told me after The AQHYA Youth
World show last year that I would not be showing anymore until I was done with
college, but we decided that I could go to just a few shows this summer.
Winning this class and paying all the expenses means I will get to go to one
more show this summer!
Thoughts after winning: Not
bad for an old man! Tiny is 15 years old and although we had planned to retire
him after Youth World show last year, he is just too pretty a mover to stay home! He still loves his job, and I love
riding him. This was also my first show as an
amateur so I am just glad we did well.
Previous Accomplishments:
Tiny and I have been a team since I was 13. The
first year together we were top ten at Congress in Novice Youth Hunter Under
Saddle. We have won numerous year end awards including being reserve 14-18 HUS
horse in Ohio, have won two saddles, been reserve champion at Region 4
Championship, won our superior in HUS, and qualified for world show twice!
Next Show:
I just started my first job as a pharmacy tech for CVS so it will just
depend on what my new work schedule will allow. I am hoping to go to the Indy Circuit.
GoHorseShow.com Super Horse Winner (received custom crystal trophy from Tiffany’s)
Erica Miller, Pines Royalty
Trainers: Judd
and Jennifer Paul
Goals: To eventually
turn the reins over to my 7 year-old daughter!
Stakes Classes Competed In: Showmanship, Horsemanship and
Trail
What are your plans for the stakes money? The money went to my show bill, but I
was hoping that they would hand me the money underneath the table so my husband
didn’t know! LOL
Thoughts after winning: It got so late that I didn’t even know I had won until the next morning! I received a phone call and I was shocked! It was our first time out this year
so it was a very good show!
Previous Accomplishment: APHA World Champion, Top 10 All
American Quarter Horse Congress, Res. High Point Champion in the Top 20 of APHA
(Novice Amateur High Point at the Buckeye Classic as well as Super Horse)
GoHorseShow.com would like to extend huge
congratulations to all the winners and we look forward to seeing their ads in
upcoming issues of GoMag!
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