The next stop for the Equus Now! mobile rig was The Showtime Series at Delaware Showtime Summer Classic. The feature of this show was the Last Chance Corral Classic. Even though it was hot, everyone had great attitudes, especially when Carl and Judy broke out the ice cream! Always a nice treat! This was the biggest show to date this season for Showtime. We saw lots of out of town riders at this show. Riders from Pittsburgh, Toledo, and Indiana, to name a few, came out in force. It was great to see Kathryn Wells, and her group of riders and parents. Kathryn has been coming from Elkhart, IN, to support Showtime for many years, and has been a loyal Equus Now! customer from The very beginning. Thanks for all of your support, Kathryn!
So many riders who have been out of the Show Ring for years came out to complete. Julie Gunn has been a customer at Equus Now! for a few years. She came into the mobile rig to buy a hair net. We talked for a while, and it was then that I figured out that it was her first horse show. I told her that she was going to do very well because she didn’t seem nervous at all. Well, Julie went out and showed and got some great ribbons. She came by the rig with a big smile on her face to tell me how she had done. It always makes me smile when I see someone’s eyes light up when they tell me about their horse and the great time they had! That’s one of the best parts of my job. Bravo Julie!
The main event of the show, of course was The Last Chance Corral Classic. 100% of the entries Went to support The Last Chance Corral, an organization dedicated to saving the lives of discarded nurse foals and homeless horses. The evening started out with a wonderful barbecue dinner cooked by chef Carl. There was a silent auction with all sorts fabulous items that were generously donated by various Last Chance supporters. Then, there was the parade of horses that had been adopted from Last Chance and had gone on to new careers. Also included in the parade were a few horses as well as foals who were available for adoption. After the parade, people took their seats to watch several riders compete in the Classic. The course was set at three different heights – 2’3″,2’6″,and 3’0. Each rider was scored on their first ride and anyone with a high score came back for a second trip. The winner was determined by the judge who combined the two scores of each rider from each division. This year’s winner, for the second time in a row, was Jacob Harris and his awesome pony Hillcrest “Lego” Red and Blue. His ride was flawless and you can tell this young man means business! The Jake and Lego team have become a force to be reckoned with and have proven that hard work really does pay off. This young man is one to watch! Congratulations Jake!
But wait! There’s more! During the day on Saturday, Katie Rankin and Jaxon Arthurs came in to the rig to buy sunglasses. We only had lady’s sunglasses,so I thought maybe Jaxon was buying them for his sister or mother. Well, I was wrong; they were buying them for their production of the “Neigh Neigh dance”! As the Classic ended and the victory gallop was under way, Jaxon ran out into the middle of the ring and started it off. Katie, who finished sixth, was in the middle of her victory gallop, but quickly jumped off and joined Jaxon while still holding onto her patient pony, Black Eyed Pea. She was able to hand her pony off to Sarah Ash, her trainer, so the two could present the audience with their awesome routine. And what a performance it was! Such a great way of showing team spirit! Thank you, Katie and Jaxon for putting a big smile on everyone’s faces. You two rocked it! We can’t wait to see what they’ll be up to the next time!
Earlier on Saturday was the Ann Grossman Memorial Mini Prix. The Mini Prix was named as a memorial to Ann Grossman, a trainer who had taught and was loved by so many. This year’s winner was Madison Landis and her horse Coasting. Congratulations to Madison who is also having a banner year at Delaware. We are all very proud of you!
The show ended up raising close to $ 20,000 for Last Chance Corral. Thank you to all of the riders and spectators who contributed to help make this happen. Thanks go to Davina Beck and Judy Brentlinger for arranging for and collecting donations. As always, thanks go out to Carl, Judy, Chris, and Maureen, whose tireless efforts are the glue the hold this show together and keep it running smoothly. This was this biggest Showtime show so far this season, and it just continues to get bigger and bigger. If you are planning on attending the Showtime Labor Day Classic, make sure you get your stall reservations in early, because this show is filling up.
The next stop for the Equus Now! Mobile Rig will be at Far and Away Farm for the August Equivents, the weekend of the 14th through the 16th. This show is also filling up fast so get your stall reservations in now. Until then, get out, get on, and go horse show! We’ll see you at Equivents!
***For more information about the Last Chance Corral, visit their website here.***
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