The Southern Belle Invitation is held Tunica, Mississippi from July 13-17. Year after year, The Southern Belle is considered one of the top futurity shows in the country led by Connie Hill, Mike Coggin and Chris Cecil.
“The Southern Belle Invitation is such a great show with southern hospitality,” said Darcy Reeve, a leading non-pro exhibitor. “The weather is extremely hot, but the complimentary sweet tea and water definitely help.”
The Southern Belle is known for its great exhibitor’s party and this year’s theme was Casino Night sponsored in part by Pine Meadow Quarter Horses. The party took on a “Riverboat” theme with high stakes poker players playing for their favorite charity. There were roulette, craps and poker tables for the night’s entertainment and the mechanical bull was wildly entertaining. Additionally, Jonesboro, Arkansas native Denny Strickland was a guest singer.
Open exhibitor Beth Case said that she has a lot of fun at the party.
“The music was really good and we danced and had a great time!”
According to Darcy, “They had casino games, a roping game, and a mechanical bull. Class sizes are pretty big, and the competition is good, and as usual the management is outstanding!”
Non pro exhibitor Megan Hawkins said that she enjoys how many different classes they offer at the show. “I have a green horse, and I like that I don’t have to show with all the older broker horses because they have an all age non pro novice horse class. I also really like the breeders classes.”
“It’s a super fun show,” APHA youth and non pro exhibitor Anne-Marie Fortenberry said. “Since I normally show paints, it was a great experience to be able to show with such amazing Quarter Horses and great riders. It’s definitely a different atmosphere than at the paint shows, and I really felt like I got to show my horse to the best of his ability,” she said. “I loved how the show was run because you actually had time to socialize, and they had a casino night that was very fun. It was my very first NSBA futurity that I have gotten to ride in–I loved it!”
Many thanks to Holt Pope of Holt Advertising and exhibitor Chelsea Turner for the outstanding pictures.
Click here to view the CANDIDS sponsored by The Krymsun Kruzer.
Click here to view RESULTS provided by The Southern Belle.
Click here to view the live VIDEO FEED from the show.
