Article and photos by Pam Gamble
The West Tennessee Hunter Jumper Association Springtime Encore took place April 13-17 at the Germantown Charity Horse Show Grounds. Weather for the WTHJA Springtime Encore was as varied as weather usually is in middle April. Luckily, horse show moms know how to pack, bring a little of everything. Rain coats and sunscreen, both were needed in the same week.
Many of the visiting horses started thinking of the Germantown Charity grounds as home, since they had been stabled there since the Springtime in Dixie show which was the week before, from April 6-10. High gas prices made it easier for out-of-town horses to stay through the two shows than to trailer back and forth. The Charity grounds were greening up and the visiting horses didn’t seem to mind the extended stay, and they definitely appreciated not being trailored back and forth. The course designer for both shows was Blake Alder, and as always the courses were challenging but approachable.
Spring weather and an upturn in the economy have brought many people back to horse shows that may have stayed away for the last year or so. Thirty-seven trainers are on record for the Springtime Encore five day show. According to Camille Clark of the West Tennessee Hunter Jumper Association, “I have noticed an increase in new people coming to horses lately, and I expect many will be showing soon.There were 134 horses showing in week one and 157 in week two which was the Encore. I expect many more for the Memphis in May shows because of the addition of Grand Prix Jumpers, which has a $15,000 purse for the first May show and a $25,000 purse for the second May show”.
One “new” favorite class that is drawing rider’s notice is the Hunter Derby Classic. The North and South Hunter rings are joined together for a large course of more natural obstacles that simulate jumps the riders would find on a fox hunt. The Open Hunter Derby is open to all but won by an Amateur at the 2011 Springtime Encore. Amanda Thomas on Kapalua, owned by Hadley Graham and trained by Katana Kennedy O’Brien was the winner of the Open Hunter Derby. Reserve was Yes Indeed who is owned and ridden by Olivia Weaver and trained by Patricia Rogers.
As usual, the children at the ‘AA’ shows were very competitive. Local Germantown native, Nanny McFadden was the children’s hunter division winner on her mother, Melanie’s horse, Makers Mark. Makers Mark is trained by the Sheets Group of Germantown, TN. Reserve was Classic Sun who is owned by Hayley Barnhill, trained by Allison Alder and ridden by Clay Alder.
The Large Pony Division by topped by Orlando, owned by Red Brush Enterprises, trained by Jane Olsen and ridden by Audrey Mascara. Reserve in the Large Pony Division was Fair Dinkum, owned by Taylor Elliot, trained by Allison Alder and ridden by Addison Bihm.
The Medium Pony Division was topped by That’s It, owned and ridden by Katie Carnes, and trained by Andrew Kocher. Second Place in the Medium Pony Division was Double Whammy, owned by the Yandell Family Farms, ridden by Sarah-Clifton Yandell and trained by David Pellegrini.
The Small Pony Division was won by Pink Floyd who is owned by Peter Pletcher, trained by David Pellegrini and ridden by Sarah Clifton Yandell. Reserve was Gayfields Magic Me who is owned by Elizabeth Lemke, trained by Frank Hernandez and ridden by Emma Lemke.
WTHJA has approximately 400 members and sponsors five USEF AA-rated shows and one schooling show each year in the Memphis area. Each show features hunter and/or jumper classics. There is a variety of classes for every level of rider, and the show offers a fun and competitive environment for the family to enjoy. Year-end awards will be given out in over 30 hunter, jumper and equitation divisions. For more information, see the website at www.wthja.com
The West Tennessee Hunter Jumper Association Springtime Encore took place April 13-17 at the Germantown Charity Horse Show Grounds. Weather for the WTHJA Springtime Encore was as varied as weather usually is in middle April. Luckily, horse show moms know how to pack, bring a little of everything. Rain coats and sunscreen, both were needed in the same week.
Many of the visiting horses started thinking of the Germantown Charity grounds as home, since they had been stabled there since the Springtime in Dixie show which was the week before, from April 6-10. High gas prices made it easier for out-of-town horses to stay through the two shows than to trailer back and forth. The Charity grounds were greening up and the visiting horses didn’t seem to mind the extended stay, and they definitely appreciated not being trailored back and forth. The course designer for both shows was Blake Alder, and as always the courses were challenging but approachable.
Spring weather and an upturn in the economy have brought many people back to horse shows that may have stayed away for the last year or so. Thirty-seven trainers are on record for the Springtime Encore five day show. According to Camille Clark of the West Tennessee Hunter Jumper Association, “I have noticed an increase in new people coming to horses lately, and I expect many will be showing soon.There were 134 horses showing in week one and 157 in week two which was the Encore. I expect many more for the Memphis in May shows because of the addition of Grand Prix Jumpers, which has a $15,000 purse for the first May show and a $25,000 purse for the second May show”.
One “new” favorite class that is drawing rider’s notice is the Hunter Derby Classic. The North and South Hunter rings are joined together for a large course of more natural obstacles that simulate jumps the riders would find on a fox hunt. The Open Hunter Derby is open to all but won by an Amateur at the 2011 Springtime Encore. Amanda Thomas on Kapalua, owned by Hadley Graham and trained by Katana Kennedy O’Brien was the winner of the Open Hunter Derby. Reserve was Yes Indeed who is owned and ridden by Olivia Weaver and trained by Patricia Rogers.
As usual, the children at the ‘AA’ shows were very competitive. Local Germantown native, Nanny McFadden was the children’s hunter division winner on her mother, Melanie’s horse, Makers Mark. Makers Mark is trained by the Sheets Group of Germantown, TN. Reserve was Classic Sun who is owned by Hayley Barnhill, trained by Allison Alder and ridden by Clay Alder.
The Large Pony Division by topped by Orlando, owned by Red Brush Enterprises, trained by Jane Olsen and ridden by Audrey Mascara. Reserve in the Large Pony Division was Fair Dinkum, owned by Taylor Elliot, trained by Allison Alder and ridden by Addison Bihm.
The Medium Pony Division was topped by That’s It, owned and ridden by Katie Carnes, and trained by Andrew Kocher. Second Place in the Medium Pony Division was Double Whammy, owned by the Yandell Family Farms, ridden by Sarah-Clifton Yandell and trained by David Pellegrini.
The Small Pony Division was won by Pink Floyd who is owned by Peter Pletcher, trained by David Pellegrini and ridden by Sarah Clifton Yandell. Reserve was Gayfields Magic Me who is owned by Elizabeth Lemke, trained by Frank Hernandez and ridden by Emma Lemke.
WTHJA has approximately 400 members and sponsors five USEF AA-rated shows and one schooling show each year in the Memphis area. Each show features hunter and/or jumper classics. There is a variety of classes for every level of rider, and the show offers a fun and competitive environment for the family to enjoy. Year-end awards will be given out in over 30 hunter, jumper and equitation divisions. For more information, see the website at www.wthja.com
