Fall Classic A Piece of Horse Show Heaven
ed for something other than just first or second, and having a chance for such a cool prize,” said Lofton. But, Brianna Haeckler was the lucky recipient and was ecstatic about it. Fourth place is no small accomplishment
By Stacie Campuzano TheWest Coast is no stranger to tough com-
petition in the Quarter Horse arena. But riding and showing out west can be nothing short of wonderful. September 15-18, 2011 the Earl Warren show grounds in Santa Barbara California were host to just such a lovely event—the PCQHA Fall Classic. After weeks of World Championship events in the crushing heat of Oklahoma and Texas, top riders returned to California for a highlight event of the season. The only heat in Santa Barbara that week-
end was in the competition arenas. For many rid- ers returning from some of the World Shows in Texas and Oklahoma just weeks before it was quite simply, “refreshing,” laughed Gabrielle Lofton. “After Oklahoma it was so nice to show in California again,” said the young rider who took home a wealth of awards including Youth All-Around on Up The Assets and two Circuit Championships on the same horse as well as High Point. “It is one of my favorite shows. I make a point to go every year,” said Susan Johns who piloted Heza Radical Zip to Circuit Champion in Horsemanship and a Reserve Circuit Championship in Select Western Riding while taking I Gotta Good Name to Reserve Circuit Champion in Select Trail. After returning from the Select World Show in Texas she said, “Santa Barbara vs. Amarillo? The weather alone is no comparison. Its heaven here.” For Johns it is more than the great weather
that draws her to the PCQHA show, “The show is well scheduled so we are done at a decent time each day and can go out to nice dinners.” Stephanie Kofu also appreciated the scheduling of classes. She took Amateur All-Around Champion and said, “The All-Around events are well separated so you aren’t rushing around and stressed about getting to your classes.” “It’s just so relaxing,” echoed Kim Portney. “Usually Horsemanship is held at the end of the show way
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out in the far arena. This year, they scheduled it up in the main ring which was great,” Portney added. She was the Select All-Around Champion and won Circuit Champion in Select English Equitation while taking Reserve Circuit Champion in Select Horsemanship onWatch Me I’m Hot. Kathleen Downs, a member of the PCQHA Fall Classic organizing committee explained that “the trail pen is set up in a sepa- rate area that allows you to go over and practice and have trail held thoughout the day which helps the schedule.” Mixed into the show’ sched- ule are plenty of social events. Downs went on to say, “We have a BBQ for the all the participants, free of charge. We also hold a wine and cheese night, free of charge. And, we do birthday cakes to celebrate whoever is having birthdays that week!”
Fun abounded outside the show ring, but
inside it, everyone was out to win with goals on the line and a ton of prizes at stake. Circuit win- ners received $100 in cash and could choose their prizes from an assortment of options like hat brushes and buckets to sweatshirts. “I love when you get prizes you can use every day,” said Kofu and added, “in fact I’m wearing my sweat- shirt now!” “Who wants ten of the same thing?” said Portney who appreciated the option to pick out the prizes and was particularly fond of the hat brushes. But, it wasn’t just the winners who came away, well, ‘winners’. Second through sixth place competitors received tickets worth a dollar that could be put towards entry fees or used at the food vendors. However, there might not have ever been a time when a competitor was as appreciative of placing fourth, just out of the top three. That’s because every fourth place fin- isher received a special raffle ticket. The prize? A full page color ad in the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association Directory! Everyone agreed it was a fabulous idea, and appreciated having a chance for such a prize. “It’s nice getting reward-
and any placing at all in a well-attended event of this caliber is certainly the product of hard work. Jody Demel attended for the first time moving into a larger more competitive show. “The class- es were really big, so I was very happy to do so well,” she said of her Novice Amateur Reserve Championship All-Around finish. “I’ll definitely go back next year, but it will be a bit scary because I will have to compete as a Select rider and those ladies are good!” she added. But, good rides don’t happen just by chance. Chelsea Sterling is one such young lady. With just four weeks to get to know her new mount, Triplicate Pleasure, she just wanted to get to know her horse, earn some points and have a good time. “I couldn’t believe how successful we were,” she said of her Reserve Champion Youth All- Around. “I’m really excited about what is in the future for us,” she said as she looks towards next year’sYouthWorld Show. Her trainer, Kelley Hinely is too—and for
all the other young riders in the PCQHYA with big goals and dreams. To help them out, she and other trainers entered the Trainer’s Showmanship class a fundraiser for the PCQHYA. Dressed in costume, trainer’s present- ed horses in a showmanship class before a crowd of bidders. “The trainers go out and ‘strut their stuff’. All proceeds from the class go to benefit PCQHYA. It is always a favorite night, and this year was no exception!” said Sandy Arledge a member of the show’s organizational committee. “It is hilarious!” said Demel. Hinely who dressed as the Queen of Hearts, complete with a bright red wig won the event using Chelsea Sterling’s horse. “He was so good for Kelley. It was really funny and exciting too. People were very generous in their bids. The youth programs made a lot of money,” said Sterling. “We can’t thank them enough for their support,” she added. From great awards, fabulous parties, and an evening of fundraising, the PCQHA succeeded in putting on a spectacular show. While the grounds, the backdrop and the California weath- er all combine to create an ideal atmosphere for a show, it is the hard work of the managers and volunteers who put on the event and make it so competitor friendly—an event that feels like a little slice of horse show heaven.
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