The Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association welcomed exhibitors to Centre Hall May 20- 22 for its Summer Kick Off Show Circuit.

“This show is inviting to the little guy but we have the class size to supply the points that our contestants came to get,” said Terri Clark, show manager.

Show management tested out new technology in an effort to speed up the processing of results and keep the show from dragging out into the late night or even early morning hours.

“We are trying something new at this show to help it to go fast, we are using electronic tablets, one at the gate, announcer stand, and office,” Clark said. “This allows us to get the results back and forth quicker and keeps the show going.”

The show features a full slate of American Quarter Horse Association classes, ranging from Halter and Showmanship to Horsemanship, Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle and Equitation and pattern events like Reining, Western Riding and Trail. New to this year’s class lineup were Ranch Riding and Equestrians With Disabilities classes. Judges for this year’s circuit were: Curtis Reynolds, Clint Fullerton, Clay Cavinder and GiGi Bailey.

The less-than-cooperative rainy and chilly weather did not seem to dampen the spirits of exhibitors, however.

“Even though the weather was not ideal and the show was not on our usual weekend due to a scheduling conflict, our numbers were still comparable to last year,” Clark said.

Caye Miller, a trainer from North Cambria, Pennsylvania, brought several clients to compete in a variety of events.

“The Kick-Off is a great mixture of fun and opportunity for points for my clients, it starts the show season off in a positive direction,” he said.

Other competitors use the show to get the show season off to a good start.

“I enjoy coming to the PQHA Summer Kick-off because it gets my horse use to the grounds and ready for the rest of the shows we attend here including PQHA Mid-Summer Madness and Keystone Showdown,” said Alura Ruppert, of Lewisberry Pennsylvania.

Then there are those who attend for the fun.

“I come to this show to show my horse, but mostly to be with my friends,” said Weston Specht, Somerset Pennsylvania.

High Point and All-Around Champions from the show include:

• Equestrians With Disabilities – Kylie Woods & Are U Chippin Me
• Small Fry – Samantha Harvey & ICanTakeAGoodLook
• Novice Amateur – Heidi Kling & ICanTakeAGoodLook
• Select Amateur – Lea Ann Miller Kimble & Cowboys Image
• Amateur – Adam Parks & The Rock N Roll Cowboy
• Novice Youth – Hunter Trzeciak & Dolls Dark Captive
• Youth 13 & Under – Violet Shetler & Mister Awetabulous
• Youth 14 – 18 – Natalie Alcorn and Chocolates Hot Asset
• Open – Natalie Alcorn and Chocolates Hot Asset

For more information on the Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association, including a list of upcoming events visit www.pqha.org.

For a complete list of show results Click Here

Check out our candids from the show here