The Arkansas Quarter Horse Association started the 2016 show season on April 1-3 with the six judged, Circle G Classic in Tunica, Mississippi. The team penning and ranch sorting for the show was held the previous Saturday on March 26th. The Circle G Classic was started several years ago by Cody Fisher with Fisher Entertainment. This was the first year that the show was completely run by Arkansas Quarter Horse. With nearly 4,000 entries, this growing show had a large increase in numbers from 2015. There were exhibitors from Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and even some from Illinois and other states.
A strong storm drenched Tunica on Thursday night cutting off power on the grounds. Luckily, skies cleared and power was restored before the show started on Friday afternoon. Three and four point classes in Trail, Ranch Riding and Reining ran the show late into Saturday morning. Saturday showed impressive numbers with three and four point Halter, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Barrels, and Poles classes. Sunday’s numbers kept strong and ended the show on a good note.
Thanks to phenomenal sponsors, black, leather halters created by Quillin Leather and Tack were awarded to seven high-point event horses. Sponsors for the halters were Cindy Rosson, Jeremy Price and Ceralena Gray Show Horses, Jeff Honey Show Horses, Jerrell Performance Horses, Jerry Wright Quarter Horses, Judson Smith Performance Horses, and Williams Quarter Horses. Winners were
- Trail – Jam Good with Hayley Saul
- Ranch Riding – Suddenlyoutoftheblue with Jenny Honey and Julie Crossland
- English – Hot Like U with Kathy Haynes
- Halter Mare – Novel Escape with LeAnne Casey
- Halter Gelding – SRS Dream with Nancy Boatright
- Speed – Peptoy with Lanie and Lynn Cornelius
- Western Pleasure – Zipit Martha Stewart with Spencer Hardin and Jessica Crump
ARC plaques were awarded in the ten largest classes from 2015. Some winners were Rios Pickanick and Dylan Dobbs in Youth Barrels, Hope By Blaze owned by the Strickland family in Level 1 Western Pleasure, and Bet Yer A Star and Ty Cornelius in Youth Ranch Riding. Other circuit champions won long-sleeve, hooded shirts, and ribbons were awarded to grand and reserve halter champions.
Due to a strategically placed Instagram cutout, many people took pictures with their friends and horses and hashtagged #ArQHA and #CircleG2016 on Facebook and Instagram. This cutout will be continued at later shows, so be on the lookout. Be sure to follow the ArQHA Instagram account (arkansasquarterhorse) and look for pictures of you and your horse.
These shows would not be possible without Arkansas Quarter Horse’s sponsors – Purina, Red River Chrysler Dodge and Jeep, Montana Silversmiths, Schiller Ranch, Equine Mega Omega, Johne Dobbs Equine Insurance, Trailer Country, Strickland Quarter Horses, Ferguson Tack, Shelby Layne Photography, Judson Smith Performance Horses, C & A Equine Insurance Services, Inc., and Quillin Leather and Tack.
Arkansas Quarter Horse Association’s next show will be the Old West Jamboree in Fort Smith, Arkansas on April 22-24. We are taking it back to the old days with the NO-BLING show, so bring the work tack and the button ups. There will also be a $1000 added, 4D barrel race Saturday night.
For news on upcoming events and schedules and results go to ArQHA’s website at arkansasquarterhorse.com and Like ArQHA on Facebook by clicking here.
CLICK HERE to view the candids sponsored by The Rock Stallion and kindly taken by Shelby Layne Photography
