PHBA World Championship Show

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From July 8-19, the Tunica Arena and Exposition Center hosted the 2015 (PHBA) Palomino Horse Breeders of America World Championship Show. Judges this year were: Margo Lea Ball, Fort Collins, CO; Darrell Bilke, Bethany, OK; Tony Burris, Summerfield, NC; Charlene Carter, Goodlettsville, TN; Rob Meneely, Conyers, GA; Bonnie Miller, Morrisville, NY; Curt Summers, Green Valley, AZ; and Maryann Willoughby, Hugoton, KS. The World Championship Horse Show is PHBA’s biggest yearly event, with over 1900 horses competing in this year’s show, said show General Manaager Terri Green.  PHBA awarded more than $100,000 in cash and prizes to equine athletes from all over the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Sunday, between the Youth World Show and the adult portion of the show, was devoted to Challenged Horsemen exhibitors, with a full day of classes for these riders with disabilities. Classes are mostly for unassisted riders, but there also some for riders who need assistance, like the “lead in” and the “horseman trail” class. These riders also earn Golden Horse awards. There are a multitude of mental and physical conditions, from autism to cystic fibrosis to multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy to traumatic brain injury that qualify riders for these classes. Every year numerous challenged horsemen ride at the world show and they all leave as winners. 

Monday, July 13 began the Open/Amateur week of the World Show. Classes began with the Yellow Rose Futurity, a new addition to this year’s World Show. The Yellow Rose Futurity is a WCHA event hosted by the PHBA World Show, which featured 2015 weanlings sired by WCHA Futurity enrolled stallions.

The rest of the week saw performances in a wide array of classes, from Weanlings, Yearlings, Two Year Olds, Aged and Performance Halter Horses to Trail to Hunter Seat and Hunt Seat Equitation, Western Pleasure, Showmanship, and Horsemanship to Ranch Riding to the Speed events: barrel racing, pole bending, tie down roping, breakaway roping, heading and heeling.

She said Yes!

This year’s show was the ultimate horse show experience for Samantha Foster. The highlight came on Saturday afternoon, July 18. She and her horse Im Exquisitely Good won the Novice Amateur Western Pleasure class. Just after she received her ribbon and trophy, her boyfriend came into the arena – not only to congratulate her, but also to ask a special question that included a ring. “Will You Marry Me” flashed on the arena screen, as “Sam” received a kiss and a ring. Afterwards, she said, “It was a total surprise for me! We’ve been dating 8 or 9 months.” She happily showed off her ring, as her boyfriend Devin Cornelius resumed his role as her “groom” for the show.

More information about PHBA, the World Show, and full results of the 2015 World Show can be found at: http://www.palominohba.comand on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288836414514/

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