PCQHA Fall Classic by JenniferWalker
What could beat Santa Barbara in the fall when it comes to an ideal place to show horses? The town is beautiful, the weather is ideal, and the PCQHA Fall Classic (Sep 13-16) is a fun show with lots of points for exhibitors. Once again, this year's show proved to be a good time for all. "The Fall Classic went very well,"
reported show secretary Darlene Mills. "Our entries were up from 2011, which is very encouraging for everyone. I felt most of the exhibitors were happy with the overall show, and I know they were liking the points! I've noticed that all of the shows for which I've been secretary have shown increased entries this year. People bring fewer horses but show in more class- es."
Cori Cansdale was very happy to
have attended the show when she won the Novice Youth All Around with her RL Skys Big Leaguer. "I was very excited to win the Novice Youth All-Around, but I think I was even more excited to win the Horsemanship on two cards out of seven- teen," Cansdale commented. "I have won All Around before, but every time makes me even prouder of myself as a rider and of me and my horse as a team. RL Skys Big Leaguer is like floating on a cloud when I ride him. He is so comfortable. He takes care of me so much, I don't even feel worried when I enter the show pen." Reserve champion in the division
went to Gina Maekawa (Melissa Zanetti, trainer) and her Krymsun Glow. "I was so surprised and ecstatic to hear that I was the
novice youth all around reserve champi- on," Gina recalled. "It was the cream cheese frosting on the carrot cake of hav- ing a great time at the show. It was the first time my horse or I had ever won an all around award. Krymsun Glow always puts out a spicy, energetic, and fun ride. Sometimes I think she was Usain Bolt in a past life. But she loves people (and orange OtterPops) and is just such a sweetheart to be around. Showing her can be unpre- dictable sometimes, but when we are on the same wavelength it is the best feeling ever. There is never a dull moment; under the hood she's equipped with a V10 engine. In the saddle she is so smooth, and the extended trot in horsemanship is never a problem for us. Being a part of her life as she grows up to be a show horse could not be any more rewarding." Not only was this Maekawa's first All
Around win, it was also her first time showing at the Fall Classic. "I loved this show!" she said. "The trail arena was so cool to show in with the stadium seating, and it was fun to sit and watch other peo- ple on pattern. I felt super fancy showing in that arena, and it was nice and cool for my grandmother and family who came to cheer me on." Maekawa also appreciated the
split/combined schedule, which meant that each class was not held every day: Thursday and Saturday had the same schedule, and Friday and Sunday had the same schedule. "I like this set-up because it gives me a break," she said. "On Friday and Sunday I only had one class in the early morning and was able to have the
rest of the day free. I ended up being able to go shopping in downtown Santa Barbara and have lunch with my family at a cute cafe." In the Youth division, Chelsea
Sterling is no stranger to the winner circle. However, this was her first time winning All Around Champion with Triplicate Pleasure. "I was actually very surprised I won it, considering that we don't do all the events," she remarked. "We just had a very good show. It was my first All Around win with him so it was a great feeling. 'Spike' is an absolute gem to ride. He is so smooth, and since he is a little older he knows his job, so all he wants to do is make me happy. With that being said we do sometimes butt heads in the show ring, because he thinks he has it all under con- trol on his own when sometimes he does- n't.We have gotten better as a team, and I have learned how to show with what I am given. He is so fun to ride and I could not ask for a better horse." Sterling found time to enjoy all of the
parties, plus had a fun time with other youth and amateur exhibitors watching the Trainer Olympics, which replaced the tra- ditional Trainer Showmanship this year. "It was really fun to watch all the profes- sionals do ridiculous things," Sterling shared. "I was laughing the entire time." The Trainer Olympics served as a
fund raiser for the PCQHA Youth. The audience bet on each trainer in a number of events like synchronized swimming, where pairs of trainers had to complete a horsemanship pattern. There was also a polo relay, where each horse and rider combo had to serpentine the cones while
12 . November 2012 .
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guiding a beach ball with a broomstick while wearing a giant foam sombrero. The ribbon dance consisted of teams of two dressed in tutu skirts and a ribbon baton to music that included YMCA and The Chicken Dance. TheAQHA judges stayed late to judge, and everyone had a good time raising money for the cause. Keaton Crawford and My Ace Is Hot
were reserve champion behind Sterling in theYouth. "I was thrilled to have won the Youth All Around Reserve Champion at this show, because my trainer had to be at another show. It made me feel like all the hard work my trainer, my horse and I put into the show season really paid off. My Ace Is Hot ("Deuce") is the coolest horse I have ever had the pleasure of owning. He is so willing to do every crazy thing I ask him to do, but to be honest we have our ups and downs just like any other team does."
Crawford made the trip all the way
from her home in Colorado to attend PCQHA Fall Classic. "I love the atmos- phere of the shows in California," she commented. "The people are all so friend- ly and willing to lend a hand whenever I need some help. Not to mention that the show is just a couple of minutes from the beach. Being from Colorado, that certain- ly a plus for me! My sister and I just love the California shows so we make the trip out there especially for a couple of them every year." In the Youth 11 & Under, Jaleesa
Caroccio and Hot Roddin Renegade were champion, while Brianne Lundberg and
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