It was a decision not taken lightly by Tom and Dominique Powers.

The Triple Challenge is the industry’s longest continuously running pleasure futurity. It’s rich in history and was built, Tom says, out of his own passion for the sport. Tom’s first futurity was held at his own farm in Alda, Michigan in 1980 and it remained there for the first five years. Then Tom moved it to the Berrien County 4-H Fairgrounds where it lured Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle and Longe Line competitors for the next 35 years. They came for the buckles. They came for the purses. And they came for the bragging rights. There were few accolades that meant more than saying “he won the Powers.”

And now, this year, for the first time, the futurity is moving to the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio, in time to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Today’s most decorated horse trainers got their boots wet (sometimes literally) at the “Powers.”

“There are definitely a lot of memories and everyone loves that old fairgrounds,” said Suzanne Pickard, who owns and operates JS Quarter Horses along with Jason DuQuette, just over the border in Glencoe, Ontario, Canada. “There is a lot of history. It gives a special tingle.”

AQHA and NSBA trainer, exhibitor and judge Jon Barry, of Advance, Missouri, was one of many who wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about the move at first. After all – there’s a lot of history there.

“I understand the facility (Berrien Springs) is not the best,” he said last fall after the announcement was made. “But so much history of the NSBA was started there that I can’t help but be sad. We would all sit around the camping area under those trees and the conversations we had there became important realities. The idea for the Trainer Crisis Fund was hatched there and it was there that we came up with the money for the very first trophy awarded in a Stallion Incentive Fund class at the 1993 futurity.”

But the deterioration of the grounds could no longer be ignored.

“Dominique started pushing (for a move) during the last futurity because we had so much difficulty with making and keeping the arenas safe enough for horses to show,” Tom said. “We attended the (Berrien Springs) fair board’s meeting after the 2019 show was over and listened to everything said and in the end, we just did not get the assurances we felt we needed to continue there. It was a difficult decision. We’d been there 35 years and everyone still says horses never look better than when they are showing in that outside pen. But in the end, we had to make the decision based on what is best for the horses, the exhibitors and the future of the futurity.”

After considering numerous possibilities Tom and Dominique narrowed it down to six locations. But the World Equestrian Center offered the most positive attributes, Tom said, including arenas, camping and lodging opportunities, stalls and convenience. One thing that was especially appealing was location and proximity to other show events.

“Many of our exhibitors come to our show directly from the Cornhusker Circuit in Nebraska and stop off at Greg Wheat’s NSBA Summer Breakout in Cloverdale, Indiana. And many leave our show and head down to Georgia for the Big A Circuit. The Wilmington location is convenient for all of that. It’s six hours closer to Conyers (Georgia) for those going to the Big A and it’s closer for the folks coming from Florida, who did not go to Nebraska.”

The big picture is what Tom considers.

“It’s important for everyone to think about what’s good for the whole industry and not be selfish,” he said. “I would never be so arrogant as to think people would only go to my show.”

So, after final discussions with World Equestrian Center owner Roby Roberts, Tom and Dominique made their final decision. 

“I think the Powers moving to Ohio is great,” said Texas trainer Aaron Moses. “There is a lot of tradition in Berrien Springs and it will be kind of sad to see it leave there, but it was definitely time to move for the safety of the horses and for the show to continue on. Wilmington is a great place.”

Many who have attended the show for years had mixed emotions about the move.

“It’s historic to be there at Berrien Springs with the old-school feel,” said Georgia trainer Jamie English. “There’s nothing better than to lope across that grass when you’ve done well. It’s also a gratifying feeling being able to make it through all the elements to win there. But, I do think the new facility will be better for the horses in keeping them healthy and safe.” 

Non-Pro competitor Becky Galyean, of Purcell, Oklahoma, said although she’s sad she won’t be returning to Berrien Springs this year, she understands why the decision to move was made.

“I think it was a big struggle getting the arenas ready at the (2019) Powers,” said Galyean. “I do believe that tradition is hard to replace. I loved going to the fairgrounds there and it has been a special place for many years.”

Over the last 40 years Tom estimates his futurity has likely awarded over 4.5 million to exhibitors.

“That’s probably a conservative number,” he said.

Just last year, over $191,900 in cash and prizes was awarded – including in Powers classes, the Sale Stakes classes, stallion incentive fund earnings and the NSBA classes.

It’s safe to say that there’s a lot at stake, to trainers and exhibitors, to Tom and Dominique Powers personally and to the industry as a whole.

“Making the decision to move was difficult,” Tom said. “When we first started in Berrien Springs the outdoor arenas there had the best footing in the industry. They were very fussy about that and to their credit, they worked hard and spent a lot of money to keep them that way for a long time.”

But management changes and financials change and the grounds started falling behind industry standards. Other places around the United States started building better environments and Tom and Dominique had to put their customers’ concerns over their loyalty to the fairgrounds.

“It’s a lot like selling a farm or a great horse,” Tom said of making the decision to move his futurity. “It’s a life-changing event and I hope for the best, for the sake of the industry and the event.”

Once the decision was made to move, however, Tom and Dominique hit the ground running to try to make the 2020 event bigger and better than ever.

The World Equestrian Center offers a wide variety of show arenas and other amenities that show managers can utilize to present their own unique events. That is especially exciting to Tom and Dominique who are thinking about the next generation of the Triple Challenge Futurity.

Move in day will be on Monday, June 22. Visitors can start arriving after noon on that day. There will be no exceptions to that time/date, as there is another event booked at the facility prior to the Triple Challenge.

To celebrate the futurity’s 40th anniversary, Tom and Dominique will host a party, complete with a band, buffet and dancing on Tuesday, June 23, in the Paddock, before the futurity competition gets underway on Wednesday, June 24.

“I am hiring Pete Cannizzaro as our announcer so that Dominique and I can focus on being able to move around and go take care of things where we are needed,” Tom said. “I’m bringing all of our staff from Michigan so that there will be a sense of familiarity for exhibitors plus I’m adding staff as well.”

Three different arenas – Robert Arena, Bradley Arena and the brand new Sanctuary Arena – will be available for use as will be three outside pens.

“Our objective is to run as many classes as possible outdoors to preserve the flavor of the Tom Powers Futurity as it has existed all these years,” Tom said. “But, at the first sign of inclement weather, we have the ability to move it indoors.”

Another thing that is important to Tom and Dominique is that the futurity classes be run one at a time and not concurrently in different arenas, in another effort to preserve the flavor of the event.

This year 20 Buckle classes have been added to the schedule. The Buckle classes are not futurity classes but they are NSBA approved qualifying classes with four judges and sets of NSBA points. The contestant with the highest combined judges’ score in each class will be awarded a trophy buckle.

Also new this year, is the addition of two Combo classes (one Open and one Non-Pro) designed to highlight the “up and coming” all-around horses. Combo classes will be first judged individually over five simple obstacles in the center of the arena. These five trail obstacles will count for 50% of the final placings. All exhibitors will then find a spot on the rail and perform a western pleasure class counting for 50% of the final placings.

The World Equestrian Center has over 1,000 10-by-10-foot permanent stalls in heated barns with a total of 15 wash racks and 24-hour security. Powers will utilize stalls in the barns most convenient to the arenas that will be used for competition. Trainers will have the option to seek out Sponsorship opportunities (see related charts) to upgrade stall locations.

The World Equestrian Center also offers a wide variety of lodging accommodations for exhibitors and spectators, including 36 cabins that sleep up to six guests, are pet friendly and come equipped with a refrigerator, microwave and television, and are in close proximity to the arenas and barns. An additional 75 trailers are available for rent across the street and many camper hookups are available including a few VIP spots that come equipped with sewer, electric and water connection.

The Vendor Village is a quaint village square setting where visitors can experience elegant shopping and an Aveda Day Spa right in the heart of the horse show complex. Triple Challenge vendors will have the option to set up either in the Village or at other various locations around the show grounds. In addition, vendors will also be able to upgrade their Vendor Package to include a Media Package that will allow them to take advantage of expanded advertising in print promotions as well as on the show’s live feed.

Visitors to the Triple Challenge will have will have access to the facility’s three dining options – The International Grille, High Horizons Cafe and The Paddock Club, a family-friendly gathering place featuring free WiFi, a bar, flat screen TVs, pool tables, foosball, shuffleboard and a karaoke machine.

About six sponsor tables will be available in the Restaurant and the rest will be open to everyone.

One big change this year will be the addition of a Live Stream from the show for the first time so that those unable to attend will be able to watch the classes be judged in real time.

Tom Powers was the first to introduce the concept of a Sale Stakes Class. He held his first auction of Western Pleasure Prospects in 2011 and 35 yearlings were sold. The following year he held his first 2-Year-Old Maiden Stakes Western Pleasure Class and 21 of those 35 years returned to compete for a total purse of $30,000. Interest grew quickly for the event and that year the sale swelled to 63 consignments.

The decrease in breedings nationwide and the addition of other Yearling Sales and coordinating 2-Year-Old classes for sale graduates at other venues contributed to a decline in sale entries these past few years but Tom and Dominique are making some changes that they hope will breathe new life into the event.

“There will be major revisions to the sale this year,” Tom explained. “We are doing everything we can to make it a real sale again. We have lowered the consignment fee from $850 to $500 with buyers having the option to pay an additional fee ($350 open and $250 Non-Pro) entry fee to enter the following year’s Sale Stakes Classes.”

The entire sale will be broadcast live and online bidding will be featured for those watching from home. This year’s auction will once again be managed by Alan Parker Auctions LLC and will be limited to 100Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle prospects. Sale information, including entry forms, catalogs and rules and regulations will be available soon on the Tom Powers Futurity website as well as on the Alan Parker Auction website.

“All consignment fees and extra fees go back into the sale purse and we are offering sponsorship opportunities to enhance it even more,” Tom said. “I think with this new venue the sale will thrive again.”

Last year a “Under $10,000 Gavel” division was added for this year’s sale graduates that did not fetch over that amount in the sale. That class will be open to Limited Open riders only. It and the Non-Pro Sale Stakes class will be presented as the last classes of the day on Friday, June 26. Following a buffet, sponsored by GameTime Sports Medicine and Hassinger Equine Service the 2020 Sale Preview will be featured, giving potential buyers the opportunity to view sale entries and talk to consigners.

The Open and Limited Open Sale Stakes classes will be held on Saturday, June 28, following another buffet, sponsored by Game Time and Hassinger. Harris Leather & Silverworks will once again present the Harris Challenge, offering a bonus if the winners are riding in a Harris saddle.

Those attending this year’s Tom Powers Futurity will recognize many classes and events they have enjoyed in the past and there will be many new classes this year as well.

The Brad Borton Memorial Limited Non-Pro Western Longe Line Class is expected to return this year. Now in its third year the event the class honors the memory of InStride Edition Publisher Brad Borton, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 60, after a long battle with cancer. Last year’s class drew a total of 21 competitors and awarded a total of $9,860 in cash was awarded to the top 10 competitors in the class, plus another $2,500 in prizes.

“That class is a big crowd-pleaser,” Tom said. “It started off strong in 2018 and got even stronger last year.”

The Super Sires will once again present three classes at the 2020 Tom Powers Futurity. Now in its eighth year, the program presents competition in Non-Pro Longe Line, a 3-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure and a 3-Year-Old Open Non-Pro Western Pleasure for offspring of eligible stallions enrolled in the program.

New this year is the addition of the American Roan Horse Association’s World Championship classes June 23-25. This is just the second year for the ARHA to host World Championship classes. Last year they were presented in conjunction with the NSBA Summer Breakout in Cloverdale, Indiana. A class list has not yet been finalized. Check the association’s website at www. ridearoan.com for updates on this year’s event.

Brand new sponsorship opportunities, at many levels, will be available this year for vendors, farms, national and international products and service providers. Sponsorship benefits range from preferential stalling to major promotional scope (including advertising in all printed advertisements and programs to social media and live feed platforms).

Stall reservation and camper application forms are already available on the Tom Powers Triple Challenge Futurity website and a class schedule and list of classes will be available by mid-February.       

AT A GLANCE

Tom Powers Futurity

www.tompowersfuturity.com

Address (Until May 1): 4811 NW Hwy 225a, Ocala, FL 34482.

Address (After May 1): 9675 Alden Nash Ave. SE, Alto, MI 49302

Tom Powers (616) 262-2836

Dominique Powers (616) 550-2358

Fax (708) 402-7594

For the following:

• Stall Reservations

• Camper Hookups

• Entry Forms (coming soon)

• Sale Information, consignment forms (coming soon) and catalogs

• Vendor Information

• Results

• Stallion Trust Information

Golf Cart Rentals: Buckeye Golf Carts

Call Michael (513) 444-3285

$375 June 22-28

Marketing Coordinator (Sponsorships)

Corrine Borton, (856) 506-4572 

(Email) TBAEnterprises@aol.com

Official Veterinarian

Brad Cumper (989) 790-7339

Official Photographer

Holman Photography (608) 994-2034

Yearling Sale

Alan Parker Auctions

www.alanparkerauctions.com

Janet Hoke: (813) 838-7568

World Equestrian Center

Address: 4095 SR 730

Wilmington, OH 45177

www.worldequestriancenter.com

For the following:

• Lodging

• Camper Hookups