In the Midwest, Memorial Day weekend kicks off with the Gateway Classic Quarter Horse Show at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St Louis Missouri.

With over 400 stalls rented, the weekend got started on Wednesday with a Horsemanship clinic presented by Robin Frid of Denton Texas.

Merle Arbo judged just under 250 entries in Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, and Trail in a special event show held on Thursday afternoon.  The special event included 24 classes with open, amateur, and youth divisions sanctioned by both AQHA and NSBA.

Day one kicked off today with Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Trail, Ranch Pleasure, and Reining judged by Kelly McDowall, Beckey Schooler and Michelle Tidwell.  These three judges will return tomorrow for Halter, Showmanship, Western Pleasure, and Horsemanship. Andrea Simons, Jessica Gilliam and Rusty Green will officiate on Sunday and Monday.

This year’s Gateway Classic has a new date and a new show management team. Stall rentals are up as are entries over last year, according to show staff members. Riders With Disabilities classes are also being featured for both Supported and Independent Riders in Showmanship, Trail, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Equitation and Hunter Under Saddle throughout the weekend.

Michelle Brickman traveled from Wisconsin to compete in Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Showmanship and Trail. It’s only her second show with her new show partner , Endless Breeze (by Invitation Only) and her first trip to the National Equestrian Center.

“I love it here,” she says. “The outdoor ring is great.”

It is also the first show Brickman has attended managed by Mark Harrell’s management team.

“This has been a very well run show with a great format,” she says. “I love it. They put on a great show.

For additional information visit MoQHA.com/GatewayClassic

Click here for candids from the show