In its fourth year running, the Keystone Showdown held June 18-22 in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania at the Centre County Grange Fairgrounds had a tremendous turnout with nearly 1,000 entries in just the first split/combined show and 650 entries in the novice show.

“Everything is just growing,” says Linda Falls, Show Secretary. ” Our entries are way up from last year. I think the show fees, relaxed atmosphere, the beautiful show grounds and the accommodating staff have really contributed bringing people out to the show.”

Due to declining numbers a few years ago, the Keystone Quarter Horse Association decided to pull their spring and fall show dates together to form one five judged show in hopes of boosting numbers. Last year, the show was recognized as one of InStride Edition’s Savvy Seven Shows to attend and this year the show was way up in both stalls and show numbers.

“The show committee really works as a team for this show,” Falls says. “I think it really shows because this is such a well run show. It has way exceeded our expectations.”

Some of the largest classes were seen in the novice division with over 50 entries in Showmanship At Halter. The Performance Halter numbers were also very large with the “Money Bag” classes offered in both open and amateur mares and geldings where exhibitors had an opportunity to win anywhere from a $1 to $100 for reaching in the bag. Many of the Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle classes had multiple splits including the Mike Whitmore Memorial Non- Pro Walk/Trot class which was $1,000 added as well as offering exhibitors an opportunity to random draw for a new Skeeter work saddle.

Jen Wargo of Moscow, Pennsylvania says she looks forward to attending the show each year.

” It’s just so beautiful here,” Wargo says. ” I stay on the grounds and the camping is great here as well. It’s a large fairgrounds and sometimes there are other activities going on the other side of the fairgrounds that are fun to attend too.”

Bobby Canady of Williamstown, New Jersey thinks the Centre Hall shows have grown so much because of the facility, laid back atmosphere and fun festivities.

” This is an absolutely gorgeous show grounds,” Canady says. ” It’s a great place to have a horse show especially since the indoor facility was built. Obviously other people really like it here too because this has become such a big show.”

The show also included many fun activities for exhibitors including the “Hoedown” on Friday night which offered a dinner, mechanical bull ride off and DJ entertainment. There was also a Pizza party, raffle and two iPad Air giveaways as well as great circuit awards in each class and All-Around Awards. The Showdown Trifecta Buckle designed by Dale Chavez was awarded to the horse that earns the most points in one division of Trail, Halter and either Western Pleasure or Hunter Under Saddle.

However, the main event of the weekend was the Mike Whitmore Memorial Non-Pro Walk-Trot/Jog. The class honors the memory of Maryland trainer Mike Whitmore who passed away in eight years ago after a courageous battle with cancer. The class drew 77 entries and after the results from two days of showing it was Ashley Price aboard Miss Tiger Version who rode out of the arena with a check for $480. Eliza Filandrianos was the winner of the trophy saddle donated by the Keystone Quarter Horse Association.

Full results of the Mike Whitmore Memorial Walk-Trot/Jog are as follows:

2nd: Consider Her Hot, shown by Bailey Young, $360

3rd: Promise Me Everything, shown by Jennifer Wargo, $240

4th: FocusOnAKrymsunImage, shown by Carol Binette, $120

5th: So Hot Im Fancy, shown by Jackie Schall

6th: Only Old Gold, shown Hallie Bubczyk

7th: Chance To Escape, shown by Karen Cias

8th: Sleepin Around, shown by Stacey Minoglio

9th: Money In Da Bank, Christine Pope

10th: Anns Candi Machine, shown by Gregg Bossard

Sponsors for the event included:

Amy Whitmore

Doug Ruppert

Cynthia and Rick Buckwalter

Pam and Scott Buckwalter

Magna Wave Equine Medic

Rhonda Repogle

Morra and Paul Nevells

Dan Rawlings

Craig Ferguson

The Grusha Family

Billie’s Hats

Amanda and Brent Specht

Healing Hooves at Knarr Performance Horses

Justin Gray

Darcy and Randy Mitchel

Ray Carmean

Falk Performance Horses

Tracy and Scott Kauffman

Donnie Recchiuti

Thomas, Ralph QH (Richard Brown)

In addition to the five sets of AQHA points offered in four days, there were also dual approved NSBA classes on the triple judged days. The show was KQHA triple pointed and Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association approved. It was judged this year by Kendra Weis, Tom Robertson, Will Knabenshue, Laura Kathryn Gilmer and Brent Maxwell.

Visit www.keystoneqha.com for Keystone Showdown updates and information

Click Here to check out candids from the show

To see full results from the first two days of showing Click Here