The countdown is on for the Keystone Classic Appaloosa Show Circuit being held for the first time at new facilities in New Jersey over the Memorial Day weekend.

One of the premier regional horse shows for the Appaloosa breed, the Keystone Classic, draws the best competitors in the country and has been the largest regional breed show in the nation for the past seven years.

Previously held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania the circuit this year will be featured May 23-25, at the Dream Park in South Logan Township, southern New Jersey.

Last year the Keystone Classic had used 302 stalls for the show and boasted 1,224 entries, with competitors traveling from as far away as Florida, Missouri, Maine and Texas.

“At this point we are conservatively expecting the same numbers,” says secretary and show manager Amanda Check. “However, the feedback from exhibitors and trainers has been very positive regarding our move to the Dream Park.  People are excited to be able to show at the facility and as word spreads about the facility, the variety of places to ride (two indoor rings and six outdoor pens) and the number of amenities in the camping area, etc., I’m hoping that our numbers go up to 1,400 or 1,500 entries for the horse show.”

Check says many exhibitors use the Keystone Classic as a great practice opportunity to prepare to the upcoming Appaloosa National Show and Youth World Show in Fort Worth, Texas.

“The Keystone Appaloosa Club works diligently throughout the show to ensure that things go smoothly and our exhibitors are happy,” Check says.

In addition to competing for All-Around Trophy Saddles in three divisions and High Point awards, all exhibitors will be receiving gifts (t-shirts, coupons, etc.) upon registration in our office and random class winners will receive prizes for classes throughout the day.

“This year the Keystone Classic is pleased to offer some new special prizes for some of our classes,” Check says. “For six of our classes (3-Year-Old, Junior, and Non-Pro Masters Hunter Under Saddle and Western Pleasure) we are pleased to be able to give away to the winners gift certificates for free full-page color digital advertisements in any 2014 issue of InStride Edition.  Also, author Stacy Einfalt has graciously donated copies of her book The Horse That Looked Different to be given away to our Leadline exhibitors.  This book is about an Appaloosa horse that joins a new family and looks different from the family’s other horses and its purpose is to teach children about tolerance.  Terry’s Tails has donated a gift certificate for one of the Trail classes and Hawthorne Products, Coastal Pet Supply, Merial and Cowboy Magic have also donated a number of items that will be given away as special class prizes throughout the show.

In addition to these class prizes, the Keystone Classic will be awarding its 4 perpetual trophies.  These trophies include the Michael Wachter High Point Non-Pro Halter Exhibitor Trophy, the High Point Keystone Appaloosa Club Youth Perpetual Trophy, the Gertrude Beck Sportsmanship Award, and the Carla Strauss Perpetual Award for Service and Volunteerism.”

Judges for this year’s Keystone Classic are: Terry Sartain, Karen Sartain, Daniel Whitehouse and Joan Santos Whitehouse.

For more information on this year’s Keystone Classic visit www.kacapps.com.