The Lucky 7 Classic drawing big numbers to Tennessee

Source: Text and photos by Brad Borton

IMG_0346“Where Good Horses Come To Show” is how the Lucky 7 Classic American Quarter Horse Association Show Circuit is billed and judging by the turnout this weekend at the Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, that is no exaggeration.

“We try to take care of everyone and make it fun for exhibitors,” said Patrick Kayser, show manager. “We provide lots of meals and now the large numbers. And, if a customer has an issue, we try to make it right.”

Carmen Mayabb and her husband, Nick, brought horses from their training facility in Georgia to compete in All-Around events.

“This is the third year in a row we have attended this show,” Carmen said. “It’s a big show that is close to home for us and our customers like it for the competition and they like the dinners.”

Even though the show just started today NCM Show Horses has already experienced tremendous success in the show pen.

“Nick won the Green Western Pleasure on two cards aboard VS Code Me Lucky and then owner Lisa Wilkes won the Novice Amateur Western Pleasure on all three cards,” Carmen said. “I won the Junior Trail on all three cards in a tough class of 24 entries.”

In 2015 the show earned a top 10 national ranking among AQHA Shows with entries exceeding 7,900. This year presented a particular challenge as the AQHA scheduled its Level 1 East Championship the same weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Kayser acknowledged that entries and stall reservations may be down slightly but said they experienced a flurry of entries after the Novice Championship Show deadline passed.

“We have a 50 percent increase in new trainers with early entries and then the regular trainers came in on the deadline,” Kayser said. “Entries this year have actually exceeded my expectations”

DSC_8404Competition began today with Halter, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Western Riding and Trail. Numbers swelled to 40 in Green (Level 1) Trail while Amateur Performance Halter Geldings boasted 38 contestants and Green (Level 1) Western Pleasure drew 29 entries.

“Senior Trail will likely have over 50 entries,” Kayser said. “We are just getting started but the weather so far is cooler this year and everyone seems to be enjoying the food. We have the same schedule as past years but hired more judges so the show doesn’t run as late as last year,”

On Wednesday guests were welcomed with a Pizza Party. Cinco De Mayo was featured in the tent at noon today. A barbecue is slated for Friday and Saturday features a (Kentucky) Derby Party. Sunday’s festivities center around Mother’s Day with treats in the tent.”

Classes will continue through Sunday and InStride Edition will provide results daily. The judges for this year’s Lucky 7 are Jennifer Leckey, Kelly Chapman-Boles, Mark Sheridan, Tonya Brown, Kelly McDowall and Terry Cross.

A Harris work saddle and show halter will be given away to lucky exhibitors in a random drawing of entries.

“It is humbling to know that people really enjoy coming to the show,” Kayser said.

 

To watch the show live courtesy of Horse Sports Network Click Here.

To check out our candids from the show Click Here.

Full results from The Lucky 7 Classic

2016 Lucky 7 Thursday Results

2016 Lucky 7 Friday Results

2016 Lucky 7 Show Results 87429

2016 Lucky 7 Show Results 87430

2016 Lucky 7 Show Results A4845

2016 Lucky 7 Show Results A4846

2016 Lucky 7 Show Results A4847

2016 Lucky 7 Show Results A4848

 

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