The Southeast Schooling Show Championships

The 2019 Southeast Schooling Show Championships By Penny Morse

Every year this event grows, from riders and horses and a much larger representation from other states. This was a show with no complaints, just lots of thanks, and many pats on the back. The atmosphere was exciting; the competitors brought the whole family to watch, so there was a fantastic audience all day.

Friday afternoon the facility was busy with trailers coming in and riders schooling or grazing their horses. The vendors were setting up, and the smoothie lady was keeping us all going with extra expresso shots in the ice coffee!

Sara Beth Anton gave a fantastic course walk, with a large group of riders, followed by a course walk given by Hugh Lochore! The Opening Ceremonies were led by Katherine Johnson on Jeffrey. With Katherine dressed as a southern belle, and Jeffrey looking very regal, they entertained the crowd by working their way down the arena to lead the riders up to the pavilion for the National Anthem. Everyone stood, and once again not a dry eye in the house, but the tears soon dried when Pizza was served!

Saturday started with Dressage, with stadium and cross country following later in the day.

With somany family members there was a continuous sound of clapping and cheering from the pavilion and along the side of the arena. By late afternoon the final rider had headed back from cross country, the last dressage rider had finished and stadium was quiet. Some took their horses home so they could return for the prize giving, and others changed and relaxed while waiting for the last scores to be calculated, in the pavilion. The decorations were so beautiful, but it was still hard to believe it was Fall when it felt like the middle of summer!

The Saturday Award Ceremony was quite overwhelming! The Pavilion was packed, and the winners were all there waiting for their ribbon and prize, with their families and trainers plus the anticipation of who would be receiving the Starting Point Farm Scholarship awards, generously given by Phil and Melissa Town. It was Proud Parents, Grandparents, family members and Trainers raising the roof of the Pavilion with their cheers and clapping. The riders all had big smiles, and when it came to the scholarships, the finalists all went home with an award to help with their training. From 12 years old to over 50, all the recipients were over the moon.

Saturday evening, we had the relay races, with 8 teams, of all ages, showing everyone, they were not afraid to put on a horse’s head, and jump rope, attempt to jump over a fence and basically make a fool of one’s self! Congratulations to all of those who took part!

Sunday, we drew the winners of the Trainer raffle. There were some very lucky riders who will now get the opportunity to ride with Trainers, they normally could not afford or have not had the opportunity to meet.

Sunday was a much calmer day, but the higher levels certainly rode well enough to impress the Judges. Just because it was a schooling show, the cross country was a recognized championship course and the same with stadium. Seeing quite a few of our local dressage riders and eventers who are regulars at the recognized shows, competing in this competition, proves we are on the same par. The trainers were very complimentary and while we see the recognize entries fall, we predict events like this will continue to grow!

The added bonuses to this event were the Photobooth! The riders loved it! Barn pictures, Christmas pictures, horse and rider…. you name it, Betty Smith took it with the help of various items such as sunglasses for horses, a unicorn, halo and other props that just make the pictures too much fun!

The pumpkin competition was a huge hit, and not just with the kids! Adults like to carve Pumpkins, just in case you did not know!