Determined to compete at Quarter Horse events, youth rider Shaynah Seames of Bethel, Maine set her goals to include competing at the Region Six Super 6 Series and Novice Regional Championship Show. Though she had several years of competing in local open events she knew stepping up to breed shows would be challenging.

In early 2014 her family purchased a new horse, How D Impress Me, “Toby” for her to compete with in the All-Around events. With only a few months to get to know one another, Shaynah spent hours working with Toby to prepare for the show held July 15-20th at the Eastern States Exposition Center in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

As luck would have it, Shaynah befriended AQHA Professional Horsewoman, 2010 AQHA MVP and owner of Double L Stable, Wanda Lounder at show in 2013. Wanda offered the young rider the opportunity of a lifetime.

Knowing the distance from Shaynah’s home in Bethel, Maine and Wanda’s barn in Hancock, Maine was too far for regular training and lessons she invited Shaynah to “Borrow A Trainer” for the Regional Championship Show.

This meant Shaynah would stall with Double L Stable, receive coaching and support from Wanda and her staff. “She was basically coming here all on her own and with a brand new horse. I didn’t want her to have a bad experience so I offered to help,” Wanda said.

Shayna and Wanda first met at a horse show in 2013 where Wanda was the judge for the day. “Shayna was riding a different horse that day, when Toby walked off the trailer this week, that was the first time I had seen him,” she said, “I’ll help her work through whatever I can during the show this week.”

In many cases having a trainer and an instructor is expensive. “Borrow A Trainer is for people who don’t have access to a trainer and have no idea how to get through a show schedule. It’s to help them, teach them, make the shows more user friendly, for youth particularly,” Wanda said.

Since 2005, the Region Six Super 6 Series and Novice Regional Championship Show has developed a reputation for offering camaraderie and good competition. “This is a cool environment to show in. Everyone here is so friendly and the classes are held in the coliseum,” said Toni Gregoire, an Amateur rider from Atholo, Massachusetts.

A regular competitor since the inaugural show in 2005, Toni appreciates the Region Six staff’s commitment to hosting a world class event. “It was always Donna’s (Rosciti) dream to make this a World Show experience for people that showed local Quarter Horse shows, but who didn’t get to go to Congress or the Worlds,” she added.

Not only does the annual event offer an opportunity to earn points and compete for other prizes, it connects AQHA members from all aspects of the industry. “I’ve met a lot of people from AQHA headquarters. It’s neat to see a face behind the phone call,” she said.

Elaborately decorated stall fronts, exhibitor parties and activities outside the show pen contribute to creating an atmosphere matched only by the World Championship Show or Congress. Exhibitor parties Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday bring exhibitors, judges, show staff and family members together for socialization and relaxation.

“This is the biggest show around this area,” said William Buckley of Buckley Quarter Horses, “it’s a unique experience. There are opportunities to interact more here than at other shows and it’s really customer friendly.”

Regardless of who was asked, the response was the same, the Region Six Super 6 Series and Novice Regional Championship Show is the friendliest, most welcoming show of the year. “We love the camaraderie and this is a great venue,” said Chris St. Cyr who travels to the regional show each year with daughter Jacki St. Cyr, owner of JSC Performance Horses, based in Sutton New Hampshire.

Don’t mistake the laid back atmosphere for a lack of competition. “There is great competition,” said Kayleigh McDonnell and amateur from Rutland, Vermont.

Perhaps the most popular activity of the week long show is the Friday Night Aisle Hop, Stall Decoration Contest and Karaoke. The pot-luck style meal rewards participants with good food, fun and a chance to win a free tack stall. “The barn hop gives the feeling of a real laid back show,” Buckley added.

In addition to the regular line-up of AQHA classes, the show series include a Ladies Western Pleasure Benefit Ride and a Huntfield Trail Derby competition. Both events benefit the Bay State Children’s Hospital while providing entertainment for spectators and riders alike.

Limited to male riders only, the Ladies Western requires men and boys dress in the best ladies outfit they can create. Complete with wigs, fishnets and high heels it’s a sight to see!

With a chance to win $500 to $5,000 in cash prizes, any rider is eligible to participate in the Huntfield Derby held on Thursday. What really keeps the event interesting is the rider’s ability to choose between two, three and four obstacles to collect the most points and showcase their horse’s abilities.

Developing a show series with the reputation the Region Six Super Six now enjoys takes years and a dedicated group of individuals committed to nurturing the event. “There is a lot of volunteerism outside of this show. We are thankful for all the people behind this event,” said Marge Tanner, show manager.

The inaugural Region Six Regional Championship Show was held in 2005 in Scowhegan, Maine. Every year since, the show has been at the Eastern States Exposition Center in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

“This is a more centralized local for region members,” Tanner said. Region Six encompasses AQHA members from Connecticut north through New England, Quebec, Canada and the Maritimes.

With fewer AQHA Regional Championships scheduled in 2014, the Region Six event was the only of its kind in the Northeast. The next closest Regional Championships were held in Mississippi, Kansas and South Dakota. Exhibitors outside the region hauled in from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Ontario, Canada for a chance to compete for six sets of points.

Marge anticipates a total of 6,500 entries under all judges and 400 stall rentals once the show officially wraps up July 20.

“Adding six sets of points made a big difference for this year,” she said. In addition to increasing the points available, Regional staff created an awards program to encourage exhibitors who competed at the Empire State Quarter Horse Show (ESQHA) in Hamburg, New York July 3^rd-6^th and those at the New York State Quarter Horse Association’s (NYSQHA) Liberty Circuit in Cobleskill July 8-13 to continue moving East for the Regional Championship Show.

“We promoted a Thruway Circuit concept with EQHA and NYSQHA to promote participation in all three events,” Marge explained, “there are cash giveaways and prizes exclusively for exhibitors who attended all three.” Though the concept was slow to catch on in its first year, Marge plans to continue the program next year with the hope that more competitors will get on board with it next year.

“It’s been a great show so far this year,” Tanner concluded, “we look forward to another great year in 2015.”

Click here for candids from the show