The Germantown Charity Horse Show Celebrating all breeds and all riding styles By Lauren Pigford On Thanksgiving Day in 1946 a group of friends came together to enjoy a Barbecue and to give thanks and ride their horses. About 75 people showed up to celebrate, and after that, the idea of a horse show celebrating all breeds and all riding styles formed. The following year, in 1947, the group of friends who loved horses and rode all different styles set their goals into effect. The first Germantown Charity Horse Show took place in 1948 in celebration of their horse crazed community and of all the different types of horses in their community. From then on, the multi-breed and multi disciplined show has been a tradition that has established Germantown, TN as horse country. It all began with a dream, a drive, and the dedication of a small group of friends who became the first members of the show. The show soon started to gain nationwide recognition. Today, the show is a reunion for the horse lovers of the Mid-South communities. Most members of the show had parents, grandparents, and great grandparents who spent their lives dedicated to the show. It is now a tradition and the legacy is known to most people who grew up in the area. For most, the Germantown Charity Horse Show is a staple in their lives. Whether a person was an exhibitor, a spectator, a volunteer or even a child who had a parent who was a volunteer, most have special memories of growing up around such a prestigious and nationally recognized multi- breed show. The show is perhaps what Germantown and its people are known for: hard working, horse crazed volunteers. The multi-breed show brings all types of horses together for the original reason back in 1948: to celebrate horses and the people who love them. The show features hunter/ jumper riders during the daytime. Starting around 5 p.m. the night time classes take place. There are Tennessee Walking Horses, American Saddlebreds, American Spotted Saddle Horses, Hackney and Roaster Ponies, Racking Horses, Pleasure Carriage Driving horses and ponies with exhibitions of Paso Finos, Dressage trained Horses, and Western disciplined horses. Then there are the crowd favorites: the Show Jumpers who end their performances on Saturday, the last day, with the $25,000 Grand Prix of Germantown. There are even tiny Jockeys who trailer in with their esteemed stick horses and race around the ring for their beautiful ribbons. Horses dressed in the most beautiful, most original, most authentic, and most humorous costumes are awarded for their appearances and performances. And who could overlook future equestrians’ debut in the lead line classes? The show offers something for everyone, even non- horse people. Charity is the key word, as the horse show benefits the Exchange Club of Memphis, which offers programs and services to help end child abuse and family violence. The center offers counceling, parenting education, and anger management help. The Germantown Charity Horse Show starts June 8 and runs through Saturday, June 12. Everyone is welcome to come out and support Germantown’s legacy and its charity. For more information about the Germantown Charity Horse Show, please visit www.GCHS.org. For information about the Exchange Club of Memphis, please visit http://www.exchangeclub.net/.