Despite competition from neighboring large shows held this weekend like the Region Six Super Six Show and Series in West Springfield, Massachusetts and the Little Buckeye Classic in Sunbury, Ohio, the Mid-Summer Madness Show held by the Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania at the Centre County Grange Fairgrounds on July 16-20 sustained large class numbers.

Previously named the Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Youth Association Show, the Mid-Summer Madness Show drew competitors from many far away states like Iowa, Tennessee and North Carolina as well as Canada.

The show also had many Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle classes held with two splits to accommodate over 25 horses in a class like 28 entries in the Green Hunter Under Saddle and 32 in the Novice Amateur Western Pleasure. Many of the divisions of the Showmanship At Halter classes had over 30 competitors in each including Novice Youth, Novice Amateur, Select Amateur and Youth 14-18. Other events like Reining and Pleasure Driving had entries as well as a two-point Amateur and Open Ranch Horse Pleasure class.

Show Secretary, Terri Clark says numbers are up slightly from last year even though it’s a popular show weekend. She believes the beautiful show facility, well-organized staff and smooth running schedule is a big draw for many exhibitors. With six sets of points, the show ran two rings at once with three judges in each so that exhibitors would not be competing at a late hour.

“We are always tweaking the show bill and encourage our exhibitors to give suggestions to continue improving the show,” Clark says. “Our goal is to make changes to suit our exhibitors.”

Clark explains that the show is still a benefit show for the youth association. Among the fundraisers at the show were a Chinese Auction, Shank-less Showmanship class and Mega Raffle where a John Deere Riding Mower, Show Headstall, Handmade Furniture, Insta-Hot Portable Washing System and a $100 cash prize were auctioned off to support PQHYA. Donations were also raised for the PQHA families of AJ Gray & Ruby Mae Shreffler who both are in need of assistance covering large hospitalization costs. She also adds the show gave away over $20,000 in cash and prizes.

Ed Weber of Saxonburg, Pennsylvania has been attending the show for years. He attributes the beautiful show grounds and easy, accommodating show staff as major factors to the show’s continuing success.

“They take really good care of the show grounds,” Weber says. “They are always watering and dragging the pens. Besides an indoor, there are really nice big outdoor pens that I like to ride in. It’s nice to know that you have a nice place to show and warmup your horses and they added an extra ring this year for lunging as well.”

PQHA Queen, Sara Keas of Conneaut, Pennsylvania shows mostly in Hunter Under Saddle. She too thinks the great facility and smooth running show schedule have really kept people coming back year after year to the show.

“I love this show. It’s a great show grounds with really nice arenas,” Keas says. “Plus we have had really awesome weather this year!”

The show was AQHA, KQHA, WPQHA, TSQHA and double-pointed PQHA pointed. Judges for this year’s show included Jeff Allen, Buddy Fisher, Ronald Stratton, Jan Hoskin-Hay, Lynda Danielson, and Kelly McDowall.

For candids from the show Click Here