By Nancy Brannon
“Oh, the weather outside was delightful…” and inside, it was also delightful. The weekend of December 16-17, 2016 was the MegFord IV Holiday Show at the Showplace Arena in Memphis, TN. Saturday was a balmy 76° and mild – something mid-south folks usually have to travel to Florida to enjoy. But the mild weather didn’t last long. Saturday night after the show was over, thunderstorms, with rotational winds in some places, rocked the mid-south, dropping temperatures, which plummeted on Sunday to the 20s and Sunday night into the teens.
The show attracted 70 entries as well as some very special guests. Santa made an appearance at the show, along with one human elf and two 4-legged elves (dogs). Organizers say that all classes were large and the Friday night jumper classes were full. “We were here until 10:30 p.m.” to get all the entries through the courses. Plus – there was an ugly Christmas sweater contest, “and there were some UGLY sweaters!” they said. Organizers say they are well pleased with the ShowPlace facility. “We can show regardless of the weather.”
This show offered several new classes. Best Child Rider, Best Adult Rider, Beginner Trot Cavaletti Hunter Hack, Beginner Walk/Trot X-rails Hunter Hack, X-Rails to Vertical Hunter Hack, Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter Hunter Hack, Evergreen Hunter Hack, Mini Stirrup Hunter Hack, two Hunter Classics (one in the covered ring and one in the main arena), and a Jumper Classic.
The Best Child Rider was Riley Zinn, riding Rockin’ La Bamba.
Best Adult Rider was Leigh McDonals.
Winner of the Hunter Classic – Main Arena was Kayla Benson, riding Ellie Mae. It was the largest class, attracting 20 entries.
Grace Eckholm, riding Road Less Traveled, won the Jumper Classic, sponsored by Pegasus.
Tori Cappadona, riding Now & Zen, won the Hunter Classic – Covered Ring.
Mary Grayson and Gadget were the Evergreen Hunter Champions, sweeping first in every class.
Winner of the Mini Medal 2’ division was Gwen McGuire, riding Mark My Words.
Isabella Brawner, riding Versace, won the Open Equitation Flat I.
McKenzie Welch and Magical Me won the Pony Medal.
Judges for the show were Jay Moore of Franklin, TN and Mandy Meeks of Memphis, TN. Friday night hospitality was provided by BrerFox Farm, with fine dining of chili hot dogs and fritos. Full results of the show are available at horseshowsonline.com.
MegFord will continue hosting shows at the ShowPlace Arena this year. Dates for the upcoming shows are: March 17-18, June 16-17, August 25-26, and November 3-4, 2017.
“Oh, the weather outside was delightful…” and inside, it was also delightful. The weekend of December 16-17, 2016 was the MegFord IV Holiday Show at the Showplace Arena in Memphis, TN. Saturday was a balmy 76° and mild – something mid-south folks usually have to travel to Florida to enjoy. But the mild weather didn’t last long. Saturday night after the show was over, thunderstorms, with rotational winds in some places, rocked the mid-south, dropping temperatures, which plummeted on Sunday to the 20s and Sunday night into the teens.
The show attracted 70 entries as well as some very special guests. Santa made an appearance at the show, along with one human elf and two 4-legged elves (dogs). Organizers say that all classes were large and the Friday night jumper classes were full. “We were here until 10:30 p.m.” to get all the entries through the courses. Plus – there was an ugly Christmas sweater contest, “and there were some UGLY sweaters!” they said. Organizers say they are well pleased with the ShowPlace facility. “We can show regardless of the weather.”
This show offered several new classes. Best Child Rider, Best Adult Rider, Beginner Trot Cavaletti Hunter Hack, Beginner Walk/Trot X-rails Hunter Hack, X-Rails to Vertical Hunter Hack, Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter Hunter Hack, Evergreen Hunter Hack, Mini Stirrup Hunter Hack, two Hunter Classics (one in the covered ring and one in the main arena), and a Jumper Classic.
The Best Child Rider was Riley Zinn, riding Rockin’ La Bamba.
Best Adult Rider was Leigh McDonals.
Winner of the Hunter Classic – Main Arena was Kayla Benson, riding Ellie Mae. It was the largest class, attracting 20 entries.
Grace Eckholm, riding Road Less Traveled, won the Jumper Classic, sponsored by Pegasus.
Tori Cappadona, riding Now & Zen, won the Hunter Classic – Covered Ring.
Mary Grayson and Gadget were the Evergreen Hunter Champions, sweeping first in every class.
Winner of the Mini Medal 2’ division was Gwen McGuire, riding Mark My Words.
Isabella Brawner, riding Versace, won the Open Equitation Flat I.
McKenzie Welch and Magical Me won the Pony Medal.
Judges for the show were Jay Moore of Franklin, TN and Mandy Meeks of Memphis, TN. Friday night hospitality was provided by BrerFox Farm, with fine dining of chili hot dogs and fritos. Full results of the show are available at horseshowsonline.com.
MegFord will continue hosting shows at the ShowPlace Arena this year. Dates for the upcoming shows are: March 17-18, June 16-17, August 25-26, and November 3-4, 2017.
