By Nancy Brannon
March To The Arch is a benefit Quarter Horse show to raise money for cancer research, started 15 years ago by Doug Landon and his wife Tara. For the last 14 years the show was held in St. Louis, thus March to the Arch refers to the famous St. Louis Arch. For the first time, the show came to the Show Place Arena in Memphis, TN on April 25-28, 2019. For the last 8-9 years, the show benefitted the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, but this year’s beneficiary is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“We’re excited to move to a different part of the country; it’s more centrally located,” explained Tara.
When Doug was diagnosed with cancer in 2004, he decided he wanted to find a way to financially support cancer research, and a horse show seemed the way to do it. “Doug is the whole reason March to the Arch started,” said Tara. “The cause is so important!” Doug is now cancer free!
“We try to make it a fun show, too, with parties, lunches, suppers, and we usually have a Friday night auction and invite families with children under treatment to come and get horseback rides,” added Doug. Friday night featured the Exhibitors’ Dinner and the Live Auction with a lot of great donated items, including a wooden trail bridge built by E.J. Allison, show pads, art, pottery, jewelry, and clothing.
Part of the Premier Sires circuit, this show is one of three shows nationwide for the offspring of stallions in the program. The other two are the Silver Dollar Circuit in February in Las Vegas and the Cornhusker Classic in Nebraska in June.
This is a huge show, organized by Broke Girls Show Management. Thursday and Friday had a total of 1043 class entries and show expected an equal number for Saturday and Sunday classes. There were plenty of vendors at the show, too, including Hannah’s fine jewelry, Brinks Hattery, Ferguson’s Tack Store, Equine Sports Medicine, A Bit More tack & show apparel, Glitzy Apparel, Kathy Williams Tail Extensions, and D Designs by Tammy Dyer.
Action got underway on Thursday morning with Trail classes in the main arena, with over 130 entries. The Champion in the NSBA-approved Premier Sires Level 2 Senior Trail was Shown My Ace, ridden by Brad Ost, owned by Darla Blanchard, winning $1,000, a champion’s buckle, and the blue ribbon.
Ranch Riding, Reining, and Western Riding were held in the outdoor covered arena, while Equitation and Hunter classes followed Trail in the main arena.
Pleasure Driving started the show in the main arena on Friday, followed by Pleasure and Horsemanship classes. Meanwhile, the Hunters populated the outdoor arena.
Saturday morning’s classes started early in the Multi Purpose Arena with the Halter horses, highlighting Grand & Reserve in mares, geldings, and stallions categories.
In the main arena, it was back to Trail classes, with special classes: NSBA Premier Sires 3-year-old Open Trail, and NSBA Green Jr. and Sr. Trail classes. Outside, Ranch Riding, Reining, and Western Riding followed the Halter classes.
Sunday morning’s classes started again with Driving, followed by a slew of Showmanship classes. Following Showmanship came the NSBA Hunters, Jumping classes, and Equitation.
Find full show information at: www.mttaonline.com. Look for March To The Arch coming back to Memphis in April 2020.
March To The Arch is a benefit Quarter Horse show to raise money for cancer research, started 15 years ago by Doug Landon and his wife Tara. For the last 14 years the show was held in St. Louis, thus March to the Arch refers to the famous St. Louis Arch. For the first time, the show came to the Show Place Arena in Memphis, TN on April 25-28, 2019. For the last 8-9 years, the show benefitted the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, but this year’s beneficiary is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“We’re excited to move to a different part of the country; it’s more centrally located,” explained Tara.
When Doug was diagnosed with cancer in 2004, he decided he wanted to find a way to financially support cancer research, and a horse show seemed the way to do it. “Doug is the whole reason March to the Arch started,” said Tara. “The cause is so important!” Doug is now cancer free!
“We try to make it a fun show, too, with parties, lunches, suppers, and we usually have a Friday night auction and invite families with children under treatment to come and get horseback rides,” added Doug. Friday night featured the Exhibitors’ Dinner and the Live Auction with a lot of great donated items, including a wooden trail bridge built by E.J. Allison, show pads, art, pottery, jewelry, and clothing.
Part of the Premier Sires circuit, this show is one of three shows nationwide for the offspring of stallions in the program. The other two are the Silver Dollar Circuit in February in Las Vegas and the Cornhusker Classic in Nebraska in June.
This is a huge show, organized by Broke Girls Show Management. Thursday and Friday had a total of 1043 class entries and show expected an equal number for Saturday and Sunday classes. There were plenty of vendors at the show, too, including Hannah’s fine jewelry, Brinks Hattery, Ferguson’s Tack Store, Equine Sports Medicine, A Bit More tack & show apparel, Glitzy Apparel, Kathy Williams Tail Extensions, and D Designs by Tammy Dyer.
Action got underway on Thursday morning with Trail classes in the main arena, with over 130 entries. The Champion in the NSBA-approved Premier Sires Level 2 Senior Trail was Shown My Ace, ridden by Brad Ost, owned by Darla Blanchard, winning $1,000, a champion’s buckle, and the blue ribbon.
Ranch Riding, Reining, and Western Riding were held in the outdoor covered arena, while Equitation and Hunter classes followed Trail in the main arena.
Pleasure Driving started the show in the main arena on Friday, followed by Pleasure and Horsemanship classes. Meanwhile, the Hunters populated the outdoor arena.
Saturday morning’s classes started early in the Multi Purpose Arena with the Halter horses, highlighting Grand & Reserve in mares, geldings, and stallions categories.
In the main arena, it was back to Trail classes, with special classes: NSBA Premier Sires 3-year-old Open Trail, and NSBA Green Jr. and Sr. Trail classes. Outside, Ranch Riding, Reining, and Western Riding followed the Halter classes.
Sunday morning’s classes started again with Driving, followed by a slew of Showmanship classes. Following Showmanship came the NSBA Hunters, Jumping classes, and Equitation.
Find full show information at: www.mttaonline.com. Look for March To The Arch coming back to Memphis in April 2020.
