2011 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show Another Success

In past year’s, we have experienced dreadful weather for set-up and tear-down but the Gods smiled upon us this year and provided beautiful sunshine for our set-up weekend and it quit raining the day before actual tear down. Leaving us with mud but no rain to contend with as well. We had only had several days of rain to battle resulting in numerous days of sunshine and warm weather.

The wonderful weather was matched by another year of stellar performances by our youth and amateur riders as well as good showings in the Open classes.

While the number of youth riders has decreased from last year due to graduations, the youth that attended represented RPH in grand style.

Bree Williams found her stride riding American Idol+/ and won every class in which she participated coming away with two Championships in Hunter Pleasure JOTR 14-17 and JTR 14-17. Along with the pleasure classes, Bree showed off her equitation skills riding Prince Monaco to a Top Ten placing in Hunter Seat Equitation 14-17. Congratulations Bree on an awesome show.

Once again, Shea Urgitus, piloted her gelding, The Real Slim Shady to a Top Ten placing in Half-Arabian Show Hack JTR 17 & Under. Congratulations Shea to a successful start to what can only be another outstanding show year for you and Slim.

Peyton Randle rode in both the Hunter and Western division of Walk/Trot on two horses that she had never shown before. She won her Hunter Pleasure Walk/Trot class unanimously on Prince Monaco (owned by Amanda Robertson) and went on to place Top Ten in Hunter Pleasure Walk/Trot with him. She continued her winning streak (with the assistance of trainer, Bob Locke) by placing Champion in Western Pleasure Walk/Trot riding RSH Just Jack (owned by Becky Bond of Bond Show Horses). Congratulations Peyton on your horsemanship skills and the ability to successfully ride two new horses to top honors.

Not to be outdone by RPH’s youth riders, the RPH amateurs also proved they had come to show.

Mark and Debbie Helmick brought their newly purchased Western Pleasure stallion, SI Dreamaker +/, for both to show in western pleasure. Debbie started the show week with a bang placing 2nd in the Half-Arabian Western Pleasure Select Rider class against some very stiff competition going on to place Top Ten in the same Championship class. After a show career hiatus, Mark mirrored Debbie’s success with two Top Tens in Half-Arabian Western Pleasure AAOTR 36-54 and AATR 40 & Over.

Vicki MacFerren and Santa Bravo V continued their success in the show ring with two Top Tens in Arabian Hunter Pleasure AATR 40 & Over and AAOTR 50 & Over proving that she’s still got it in the “Old Broad’s” class as she likes to call it.

Mary Earle and her Half-Arabian gelding, VSH Cosmopolitan, had a successful Scottsdale. A former Country English horse, Cosmo, has now found his true calling as a Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure performer placing Top Ten in both Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure AAOTR 36-54 and AATR 40 & Over.

Katie Harvey, one of RPH’s newest reining clients, showed that she could successfully compete with the professionals placing Top Ten in the HA Reining Horse Bitted riding TR Skid Mark. She also rode Hollywood Spin Doctor in the exciting Half-Arabian Reining Futurity. With two excellent runs, she placed 2nd in the non-pro division of the Futurity.

Along with successful amateur showings, Sally rode many of her amateur horses to top honors including:

American Idol +/ continued his winning ways placing Top Ten in the Hunter Pleasure Open division.

The Real Slim Shady placing a solid Top Ten in Half-Arabian Show Hack Open.

SI Dreammaker +/ displayed his versatility by placing Top Ten in the Western Pleasure Sidesaddle class.

While Santa Bravo V was not shown in the Arabian Hunter Pleasure Open Championship, he had a solid showing placing 5th out of class of 19 in Arabian Hunter Pleasure – Ladies to Ride.

VSH Cosmopolitan was the talk of the HA Hunter Pleasure Novice Horse class placing 1st out of a field of 22. He went on to place Top Ten in HA Hunter Pleasure Open in only his second show as in the Hunter Pleasure division.

Fanfare WF, owned by Mark & Debbie Helmick, showed that he could compete with the “big boys” placing Top Ten (actually 3rd) in the highly competitive Arabian Hunter Pleasure Junior Horse division.

Continuing in the Nationals tradition, Sally catch rode Fade Tu Black, owned by Debra Hennnigton, to a 1st place finish in Arabian Hunter Pleasure, Novice Horse out of a field of 14.

As always, Tyson brought a contingent of six reining horses to compete in the HA Reining Horse Futurity Classic showing three himself; Katie showing her own horse; and Matt Mills competing on the remaining two. Tyson’s rides resulted in a Reserve Championship on Chic Magnet, owned by Jason & Jennifer Earles (missing the Championship title by ½ a point) and another Top Ten (4th) on Holllywood Showgirl, owned by Tim Anderson. Matt made an impressive showing on Maybe Lou Dunit, owned by Gayle Pniak, placing 8th.

Once again, the RPH support staff (Sarah, Shelby, Julia, Laura and Kiley) worked tirelessly to ensure that every horse received top notch care to ensure success in the show ring. As a result, RPH departed the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show with armloads of well-deserved awards.