Article & photos by Nancy Brannon
West Tennessee Quarter Horse Association was back in Memphis, Tenn. at the Show Place Arena for the Summer Circuit, July 26-28, 2019. This was the next-to-last show of the season, with the final show coming September 19-22 in Murfreesboro as a dual point show with TQHA.
Secretary Pat Kress said the show was “well-run” and that entries were up from last year. With six judges, circuit awards, and a $375 flat fee, there was much to attract riders to the show. Judges were Jeff Buck, Pete McAlister, Brad Gibby, Jess Herd, Milt Alderman, and Nancy Wilde. The show had beautiful weather, as Memphis was just finishing a week of mild weather – temps in the upper 80s and lows in the 60s. Manager Trena Moffett said it was a “great weekend” and a “fun time.” Announcer Haskell Sheets was a familiar voice in the arena, keeping the show running smoothly and efficiently.
This show offered a couple of extra fun features. In the show office were two “Buckets O’ Bills” filled with money! They contained mostly $1 bills, a few $5 bills, and just one $100 bill. There was an Amateur bucket and an Open bucket. On Saturday those who had shown in Amateur or Open Trail classes could come to the office, close their eyes, and draw a bill from the bucket. I must have been good luck for two particular competitors, because the two times I went into the office for information, the competitor drew the $100 bill! First to draw the $100 was Connie Nanney, and later Kayla Michaela pulled out the $100 bill.
On Saturday evening competitors were encouraged to enter the Wild West Pony Express to “have a blast and show off your riding and shooting skills.” The course included “water guns to shoot the ‘bad guys,’ challenging obstacles, and mail to deliver as fast as you can!” The entry fee was only $20 with a 50/50 payback to the winner.
Katy Royalty brought her horse “Sunday in the South” to get started showing in the Youth Reining. She is a senior at St. Georges Independent School and “Sunday” is her senior independent study project. She stables and trains with Campbell Performance Horses near Arlington, Tenn.
The show started early on Friday with a large array of hunter and equitation classes. Saturday morning began with Showmanship and the multitude of halter classes. Ranch Riding was a popular Saturday afternoon class, attracting 15 entries in the Amateur and 20 entries in the All Age. In the meantime, trail classes were being judged in the covered outdoor arena on both Friday and Saturday. Western Pleasure classes started around 5 p.m. in the main arena on Saturday and Western Riding classes finished the day’s class sheet. Ranch Riding began the day’s classes on Sunday, with the hunter and equitation classes rounding out the rest of the show.
Results of the show were not yet posted at press time. Find more information about West Tennessee Quarter Horse Association at: www.wtqha.org.
West Tennessee Quarter Horse Association was back in Memphis, Tenn. at the Show Place Arena for the Summer Circuit, July 26-28, 2019. This was the next-to-last show of the season, with the final show coming September 19-22 in Murfreesboro as a dual point show with TQHA.
Secretary Pat Kress said the show was “well-run” and that entries were up from last year. With six judges, circuit awards, and a $375 flat fee, there was much to attract riders to the show. Judges were Jeff Buck, Pete McAlister, Brad Gibby, Jess Herd, Milt Alderman, and Nancy Wilde. The show had beautiful weather, as Memphis was just finishing a week of mild weather – temps in the upper 80s and lows in the 60s. Manager Trena Moffett said it was a “great weekend” and a “fun time.” Announcer Haskell Sheets was a familiar voice in the arena, keeping the show running smoothly and efficiently.
This show offered a couple of extra fun features. In the show office were two “Buckets O’ Bills” filled with money! They contained mostly $1 bills, a few $5 bills, and just one $100 bill. There was an Amateur bucket and an Open bucket. On Saturday those who had shown in Amateur or Open Trail classes could come to the office, close their eyes, and draw a bill from the bucket. I must have been good luck for two particular competitors, because the two times I went into the office for information, the competitor drew the $100 bill! First to draw the $100 was Connie Nanney, and later Kayla Michaela pulled out the $100 bill.
On Saturday evening competitors were encouraged to enter the Wild West Pony Express to “have a blast and show off your riding and shooting skills.” The course included “water guns to shoot the ‘bad guys,’ challenging obstacles, and mail to deliver as fast as you can!” The entry fee was only $20 with a 50/50 payback to the winner.
Katy Royalty brought her horse “Sunday in the South” to get started showing in the Youth Reining. She is a senior at St. Georges Independent School and “Sunday” is her senior independent study project. She stables and trains with Campbell Performance Horses near Arlington, Tenn.
The show started early on Friday with a large array of hunter and equitation classes. Saturday morning began with Showmanship and the multitude of halter classes. Ranch Riding was a popular Saturday afternoon class, attracting 15 entries in the Amateur and 20 entries in the All Age. In the meantime, trail classes were being judged in the covered outdoor arena on both Friday and Saturday. Western Pleasure classes started around 5 p.m. in the main arena on Saturday and Western Riding classes finished the day’s class sheet. Ranch Riding began the day’s classes on Sunday, with the hunter and equitation classes rounding out the rest of the show.
Results of the show were not yet posted at press time. Find more information about West Tennessee Quarter Horse Association at: www.wtqha.org.
