AQHA Region Six is an organization that is designed to bring together members of the AQHA Northeast Affiliates including the states of: Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island the Maritimes and Quebec. This year, the show was held July 12-17 at the Eastern States Expo in West Springfield, Massachusetts. In 2015, the Region 6 Super 6 Series was named top 20 of the largest horse shows in the country with just over 5,800 entries.
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Move in started on Saturday, July 9th even thought the show did not officially start until the 12th. The day before the show was scheduled to start, judge and trainer, Derek Hanscome, held a ride the rail clinic in the coliseum to work with riders on hunter under saddle and western pleasure.
The show kicked off on Tuesday with hunter hack, judged by Casey and April Devitt and Michelle Tidwell. Shortly after, the long hours of showmanship began. With approximately 170 entries total, it went right until lunch. The showmanship competition was very stiff, with a straight line pattern including pivots and inspection. The show then moved into the hunter under saddle classes with around 180 entries.
Many classes had to be split with a select group of horses going back into the ring for a final time before being placed. Equitation followed with an arc pattern which included a lead change and diagonal change for the amateur and youth exhibitors. Just like in the hunter under saddle class, a select group of horses and riders were called back into the ring after completing their pattern to complete their rail work and be placed.
On Wednesday, the show started with the halter classes, which had approximately over 150 entries. Many horses walked away grand or reserve in their division and had the ribbons to show it off. After halter, the show moved into the western classes, starting with western pleasure and slowly moved into the very competitive horsemanship classes, where straight lines were again key in the pattern.
Many of the classes had to have a final class with rail work to determined the winners because the classes were just to large to run with every horse and rider in the ring. After the western pleasure, the western riding and ranch riding got underway with much larger numbers than the year before.
Thursday was a fun filled day with only trail classes. We started at 7am and did not stop until 6pm that night. Many horses hauled to this show solely for trail, and it definitely showed with nearly 12 straight hours of classes.
Thursday night is also a memorable night because of the ever so famous Aisle Hop and Battle of the Barns. Every barn gets together and sets up a stall front and serves food while being judged on food, drinks, overall presentation by secretly chosen judges. However, before the Aisle Hop could kick off, a sit-a-buck class was held in the coliseum to help barns win points towards the overall Battle of the Barns Championship.
Taylor Wyman came out on top after being put through many tasks such as posting trot, two-point, spins, stops, and much more. There was a variety of food and drinks to be enjoyed, but Buckley Quarter Horses came out on top winning the Battle of the Barns Championship title.
Friday morning the show started over with the same schedule but with a different set of judges – Tracy Willis, Rick Christy, and Curtis Reynolds. The only difference was that Regional Championship Classes corresponding with the Level 1 classes were also held.
Many horse and rider teams were name Regional Champions including Sloan Brewster and her new horse, Invite the President, (also known as “Barry”) who were named the Regional Champions in Level 1 14-18 Hunt Seat Equitation and Jayna Lagace and her horse Platinum Sunsation (also known as “Wyatt”) who won the Level 1 13 and Under Hunter Under Saddle.
Saturday started again with the halter classes, this time with neck ribbons provided for the Grand and Reserve Halter Champions and then slowly moved into the western classes. This time, Shawna Packard and As Good As I Get, affectionately known as Henry were named Level 1 Regional Champions in the 14-18 Horsemanship. 2016 is Shawna’s last year as a youth and her last year as a level 1 competitor in the horsemanship, therefore, it was a very special win for them. Saturday was a very late night for the ranch riding exhibitors with the Youth Ranch Riding starting just before midnight.
As the show came to a close on Sunday, the remaining Level 1 Champions were named in trail, pole bending and barrel racing. Along with the Level 1 Champions, many hi-point and all-around awards were given out to well deserved horses and riders.
I was able to catch up with some trainers and exhibitiors and ask them what their favorite thing about the Region 6 Super 6 Series. Here are some of their responses.
“The ambiance of the horse show.” – Kasi O’Donnell
“Getting together with friends, the good numbers in the classes and great competition.” – Don Gillespie
“The amount of good competition” – Mercedez Vize
“The competition level.” – Rette Soloman
“That AQHA sends representatives for us to talk to.” – Toni Gregoire
“Being able to see and talk to people I’m not normally able to talk to.” – Sloan Brewster
“The friendly atmosphere and the exhibitor parties because they bring everyone together.” – Jeremy Mimitz
“The location!” – Cari Barnes
“Seeing and hanging out with all of my horse show friends.” – Susan O’Connell
Congratulations to the following AQHA Level 1 All-Around Winners at 2016 Region 6
Level 1 Amateur
Champion – Emily Messing & Hes Shameless Huh
Reserve – Susie Roncone & Wa Ta Hot Invitation
Level 1 Youth 13- Under
Champion – Hailey Boisvert & Hot Rod Number Eight
Reserve – Mikayla Franklin & Shesacute Asset
Level 1 Youth 14-18
Champion – Sarah Harris & Reba Ranger
Reserve – Anna Skaret & Deluxe Chex Account
And more congratulations to the following Region Six Super 6 High Point Winners….
Level 1 Walk Trot Amateur
Champion – Jacquelyn McKinstry & Smoke Jet Girl
Reserve – Liz Smith & RL Sudden Pursuite
Level 1 Amateur
Champion – Emily Messing & Hes Shameless Huh
Reserve – Susie Jacobs Roncone & Wa Ta Hot Invitation
Level 1 Youth 13- Under
Champion – Hailey Boisvert & Hot Rod Number Eight
Reserve – Jayna Lagace & Platinum Sunsation
Level 1 Youth 14-18
Champion – Sloan Brewster & Invite the President
Reserve – Shawna Packard & As Good As I Get
Amateur
Champion – Katie Dolen & Crown Royal Hour
Reserve – Hannah Pingrey & Dream ofa Goodbar
Amateur Select
Champion – Ellen Holmes & Shake An Bake
Reserve – Susan DeVenne & Forever Huntin
Open
Champion – Zippos Good N Fancy
Reserve – A Doll For Certain
Youth 13 – Under
Champion – Jessica McAllister & A Good Order
Reserve – Genevieve Ahlstedt & Just Have To Dream
Youth 14-18
Champion – Shawna Packard & As Good As I Get
Reserve – Emma Damery & Zippos Good N Fancy
Youth Level 1 Walk Trot
Champion – Addison Hubbard & Nature Investment
Reserve – Kylie Babcock & Clearly A Tradition
