Exhibitors and fans of the Palomino breed are once again gathering at the Tunica Arena and Exposition Center through July 19 to compete for the honor of being named the World Champion and vie for the Golden Horse award in Youth, Amateur and Open Divisions, as well as Challenged Riders.

Competition got started this morning with Youth Halter classes at the Tunica Arena and Exposition Center and will continue through July 19. The first three days are dedicated to youth competiton and the Amateur and Open classes begin on Monday.

            The first “All Palomino World Championships” were held in Ft. Worth, Texas, in September 1947. No other state took on the responsibility for holding another World Championship until 1983, when the Hoosier Palomino Association held the nationals at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. In 1987, the Hoosier’s turned the show over to the PHBA National office and the show was held in Tulsa until moving to Tunica in 2013.

               According to Terri Green, PHBA General Manager, there are two new classes for 2019: Ranch Conformation and Versatility Ranch. Show results will be available on the website shortly after classes are held, and live feed is provided by 321 Action Video via a link on the PHBA website. 

               Judges for this year’s show are: Trisha Shorten Armstrong, Kathryn Boggetta, Tony Burris, Charlene Carter, Lori Gordon, Darrel Hersom, Terry Thompson and Gary Werner.

 PALOMINO YOUTH ASSOCIATION’S ANNIVERSARY

            This year marks the Golden Anniversary of the Youth Association. Youth classes were first added to the New Mexico Palomino Exhibitor’s shows in 1963. In 1966, New York member Mary Greinert Kosinski, and New Mexico members Pauline Kaul Harms and Sandia Park, suggested that youth classes be held with two age groups, 13 and Under, and 14 to 18. There was also a youth royalty contest, organized by Luella Baker from Flower Mound, Texas. The first contest was held along with the national meeting in Texas in June 1967, with 25 contestants vying for the title of King or Queen. 

            PHBA is proud of the fact that the association is one of the few that does not require the youth to own the horse they are showing. Another point of pride is that many of those original youth members are still involved with Palomino horses, and in many cases, so are their children and grandchildren. Palomino’s tradition of being a family-orientated organization is going still going strong thanks to these dedicated members. 

            Youth President Madison Lee is looking forward to all the activities the group has planned. 

            “The Youth wanted the 50th Anniversary to be special. One change is that instead of having a relay race, we’re having a kick-off party instead. A lot of us only see each other once or twice a year, and it’s easier to meet new people and mingle at a party than at a regimented activity like a relay race. We want more people to get to know each other; for youth members to meet their board members and increase interest in the Youth board. Because of Palomino, I have friends in California, Nebraska, Iowa, that I never would have otherwise.”

            Like last year, the Youth have created Golden Hospitality Baskets and will draw names for winners from each category of class, such as Halter. This year’s scavenger hunt, will have clues in the shape of Palominos, in honor of the 50th anniversary. Holding with tradition, the Youth have planned elaborate decorations for their stall, but to make it even more special, they will have a photo booth with props, and a United States map where exhibitors can mark where they live.  The t-shirt that the youth members receive has also been designed with the 50th Anniversary in mind. 

            This is Lee’s third year on the Youth board, and she has high praise for the other members. 

            “I can’t brag on them enough. They are absolutely amazing to work with.”

            Youth Advisor Kimberly Davis agrees. 

            “I can honestly say that our PHBA family has a wonderful youth group. The Youth Executive Board is a diverse group of intelligent and talented individuals. They do a wonderful job of planning activities and making both current and new members, feel welcome and wanted,” Davis said. “I wouldn’t trade them for the world. My co-advisor, Tia Khoeler, is also a huge blessing. She is definitely the peanut butter to my jelly!” 

            The Youth Association is also extremely grateful to Mimsi Roe Coon, who worked very hard to obtain sponsors for every youth class at the show. Coon said, 

            “We made a substantial investment in our youth this year. On top of that, there were so many people who wanted to help the Palomino Association and make this a successful show, that we also had some Open and Amateur classes sponsored as well. At the convention, all the youth attending presented me with a card thanking me for all of my work. That was the most wonderful gift I could have ever gotten. I’ll cherish that card forever.”

AMATEUR ASSOCIATION

            Amateur President Marleen Cowie has many traditional and some new activities planned. The Amateur booth, located in the main aisle will have a complete list, but some of the opportunities to enjoy are the Ice Cream Social on Tuesday of the Open/Amateur Show, held at 1 p.m., in the Stall Office. What would the World Show be without morning coffee and donuts circulating throughout the barn. InStride Edition is sponsoring cookies for those waiting in line at the entry booth. Snow cones will be available all week to help beat the heat, and there will be some very nice prizes raffled off.

            Raffles: One lucky raffle winner will be going home with a tanzanite/diamond necklace valued at $5,750. Ask any Amateur board member for tickets, which are 1/$10, or 3/$20, and on sale throughout the show. The drawing is on the last day of the show, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Bradshaw Challenge.

            Have you always wanted a pair of Bonnie Miller Chinks? The amateurs are raffling off a $100 gift certificate toward a custom pair. All amateurs who participated in the amateur ranch classes are eligible.

            There are also three baskets to be raffled off. One full of horse care products, one of wine, and a margarita basket completes the trio.

THE GOLDEN HORSE CHALLENGE AND THE GRAYSON-JOCKEY CLUB RESEARCH FOUNDATION

            Perhaps the most exciting event that the Amateurs have organized is their partnership with the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to equine research. Together, they have created the Golden Horse Challenge, which challenges other organizations and individuals to take part in supporting equine research and protecting the health and soundness of the horse for years to come.

            Areas of research include colic, laminitis, breeding, musculoskeletal issues, and infectious diseases, and 100% of your donation goes directly to a Grayson funded equine research project.

            Any donation automatically enters you into the sweepstakes of the Challenge. The Grand Prize is a Bluegrass Experience October Weekend Getaway Package. Other prize packages include two tickets for each day of the Nov. 1-2 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, a print from famed Thoroughbred artist Robert Clark, a stallion halter, a Grayson swag bag, and more.

            Donations can be made online: grayson-jockeyclub.org. Each donation will make you eligible for one of the sweepstakes prizes as long as you mention GHC or Golden Horse Challenge, anytime between March 1 and Aug. 31. Alternatively, there is a ‘no purchase necessary’ option.  Merely send them an email, mention the GHC, and you’re entered. Sweepstakes rules: https://wwwlgrayson-jockeyclub.org/resources/ghcrules.pdf.

            For more information on these and other Amateur activities, email amateureb@palominohba.

CHALLENGED HORSEMAN PROGRAM

            “I think that Palomino does a fantastic job with their Challenged Horseman Program,” said Clay Gant, the artist who creates the gorgeous bronze sculptures given out as trophies at the Palomino World Show. 

            “Clay does a fabulous job with our trophies, and he’s always supported PHBA,” said Debbie Wall, who is in charge of obtaining the Challenged Horseman’s awards and organizing this portion of the show. “We can’t thank him enough for all he’s done. He’s been instrumental in our success, especially on the CHP side. Last year, he and his wife, Betty, created a special award that is only for our Challenged Horsemen. No other association, or Challenged Horseman’s Program, can win that design. It’s totally different from the Open, Youth and Amateur trophies. The sculpture is called, My Ride, and symbolizes the connection between these exhibitors and their horses.” 

            The Challenged Horseman’s Program has riders of all ages, and allows the participants to experience the joy of working with horses and competing for top prizes at the Palomino World Championships and other shows such as the Ft. Worth Chisholm Challenge, and The American Paint Horse World show, to name a few. Palomino’s mission statement is, ‘to provide equality through equine activity.’ 

            Wall and PHBA are thrilled to host the Challenge Horseman classes, and delighted to see the growth in this area, not only in the area of entries, but the growth in the entire industry devoted to helping people with disabilities develop more confidence, build strength and improve their physical condition, and experience the love of the horse that is their partner in these endeavors. 

OTHER NEWS

            There will be new competitors and familiar faces at the 2019 World Show. Mississippi native and youth exhibitor McAuley Ross will be returning with Timer Hid My Fancy. In 2018, Ross took home the trophy for Golden Horse 14-18 with the gelding that she’s brought to 10 previous World Shows.                                   

“I’m just going in a few classes this year, probably just Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle and Horsemanship,” she said. “He looks fantastic, but he’s 20-years-old. I’ve been mainly showing my bay Quarter Horse under the guidance of my trainer, Shawn Hayes this year.” 

            The running events will see the return of Clay Banter on Pistol Packin Playboy, who galloped to victories last year in Youth 14-18 Barrel Racing, Pole Bending and the Stake Race. The Warren, Indiana family will also have Vanilla Yella in Western Pleasure, and a Halter entry in 2-Year-Old Mares, TNR Fellas B Lookin.

            “We just can’t pick a discipline,” jokes Clays’ mother, Kristi Stewart Banter. “We have 15 horses at home. Next year, I’ll be debuting my black Palomino Bred mare in 2-Year-Old Pleasure. Clay only has three years left in youth, and we’re enjoying seeing him compete.”

            For more information on the World Championship Palomino Show, and other programs designed to encourage the ownership of these versatile golden horses, visit the official website: www.palominohba.com