The Fallen Horseman Memorial Horse Show is many things to many people. Perhaps that has helped the event triple in size since our conception in 2011. The FHMHS is a time to reflect, a time to visit old friends, a time to educate young people as to the history of the equine industry and those who supported it. Most of all, the FHMHS is a time to remember the more than 70 horsemen and women who have been honored at this event in the last four years.
The Fallen Horseman Memorial Horse Show is and all breed open horse show and a labor of love founded by Tammy Denlinger-Lickliter to honor fallen horsemen and women (including her grandfather and grandmother Harry and Mary Denlinger) who made a contribution to the equine industry or enabled your “life with horses.”
“It really had a snowball effect and people were more than eager to support the idea,” Ms. Lickliter said. “This whole process has been such an incredible journey, even to the point of reuniting some family members with other family members in an effort to document the history of these amazing people. I was surprised how rich in equine history this part of the country is.”
Primarily, the honorees come from the Miami Valley of Ohio and surrounding areas, “although we have several from elsewhere as well”. This year, the horse show rented 200+ stalls, had 1200 entries, paid back $12,545.00 and honored ten new honorees to the list from the previous three years. Our stalls, entries and paybacks were all up and people loved the trophies. Dr. Pam Bucklew, Top of the Hill Farm in Springfield Ohio donated 45 AQHA trophies along with three NSBA trophies donated by Larry and Marti Lambert of Georgetown Kentucky. The trophy plates were replaced with FHMHS plates and awarded in 48 classes. If anyone is interested in sponsoring at any level or sponsoring a loved one, farrier, vet, trainer or even 4H advisor, go to the website www.fhmhs.com and click on the sponsorship link for a form. The sponsorship money is then paid forward to the exhibitors at all levels of experience in the form of cash and prizes.
In 2014, the FHMHS had several $1000 and $500 classes, 22~ $250 added classes and 18~ $100 classes. Additionally all classes payback a percentage of entry fees and awards are presented in every class. From the proceeds of the event, the FHMHS is a Gold Level sponsor at the Tough Enough To Wear Pink horse show for breast cancer research working with Kay Tracey and Chip Jackson from TETWP. We also be awarded cash to one of our honorees families this year to help with medical expenses, a donation to both the Miami Valley Horse Show Association for year-end awards and a donation to the Charles Menker Memorial Youth Scholarship fund started in 2014.
In 2014, these ten people were added to the list of honorees:- Bailey “Stretch” Bradley– Hilliard,OH
- Bub Kennard–Lebanon,OH
- Cathleen Evans– Cincinnati,OH
- David Kuhbander–Beavercreek,OH
- Gary Hall–Trotwood,OH
- Chip Noble–Xenia,OH
- Bruce Hart–Arcanum,OH
- Kirby Rulon–Bloomington,IN
- Bill Horn–Cable,OH
- Doug Stettler–Zanesville,OH
Additionally, The FHMHS honored Indian Artifacts in the $1000 Indian Artifacts Hunter Under Saddle Classic. The 2015 Fallen Horseman Memorial Horse Show will be held at the Champions Center, Springfield Ohio September 5-7th. For more information on the Fallen Horseman Memorial Horse Show and the history of the equine industry in the Miami Valley of Ohio, visit our website www.fhmhs.com Find us on Facebook or contact Tammy Denlinger-Lickliter at 937-672-5629
