Robert J. Smith III and Fletchs Shorty Lena.
Sarasota, FL – October 10, 2013 – Show by Appointment opened its inaugural Championship Finals with a day packed full of reined cow horse action. Held at the Triple J Ranch in Sarasota, FL, on Oct. 10-13, the Finals have brought horses and riders from across the country together to test their skills and compete for championship titles and generous prizes.
The morning began with herd work for competitors in the Open and Non Pro divisions of the Greatest Caballero Competition and Bridle Spectacular, as well as the Non Pro Boxing Bridle Spectacular. Riders in those classes then moved on to the reining and fence work for their respective divisions.
Robert J Smith III and Fletchs Shorty Lena came away with the title in the Open Bridle Spectacular, earning $1679.33, while Morgan Holmes and Dun It Big claimed first place and $1007.60 in prize money in the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular. Jen Frame and Thats Stylin won the Non Pro Boxing Bridle Spectacular.
Holmes and Smith credited their horses with putting in strong performances. Dun It Big, owned by Jay Holmes, and Fletchs Shorty Lena, owned by Ora Diehl, are both seasoned competitors with world championship titles to their names.
“My horse is awesome,” Holmes said. “He hasn’t been shown in three years, so he was ready to be shown. He was not going to lose today! He was in the zone. He’s a three-time world champion, and he gets pretty excited about going in the show ring.”
“He’s a pretty consistent horse,” Smith said of Fletchs Shorty Lena. “He’s also won three world championships. He’s won $30,000 in the cutting and close to $20,000 in the cow horse.”
Smith said he’s ridden several different disciplines, but enjoys riding reined cow horses most of all. “I showed English horses and pleasure horses and rope horses, and cow horses are just more fun, so I stuck with them,” he explained.
Smith and Holmes both have a full weekend ahead of them, with several more rides to come. Holmes is excited to partner with Dun It Big again to finish out the Non Pro Bridle championship, while Smith is looking forward to showing in the Two Rein division.
“I really like my two rein horse,” Smith said. “I’ve owned him since he was a 2-year-old, and he’s become very consistent.”
Jen Frame, the Non Pro Boxing Bridle Spectacular winner aboard Thats Stylin, will also be back in the arena throughout the weekend. She said Thats Stylin, whom she’s owned since the mare was 2 years old, showed her usual work ethic today.
“She was really strong on the cow,” Frame said. “She did great in herd work this morning too, so it felt good. She’s my Old Faithful. She comes to work every day to get the job done – she’s really dependable and really fun to ride.”
Frame, who lives in Kentucky, got her first taste of the unique format and atmosphere of Show by Appointment at SBA’s summer shows in Unadilla, TN.
“It looked like a neat new idea, a different way of doing things, and I enjoy trying new things,” she noted. “I went and showed at Tennessee, and it was a lot of fun and a good group of people. So I decided to come back!”
Alongside the Bridle Spectacular classes, several divisions had their first go of the Championship Finals. Open and Non Pro Bridle, Intermediate Bridle, and 2K Bridle competitors were given their first chances to impress the judge and earn a top placing. The championships in those classes will be determined later in the weekend.
Day one of the Championship Finals concluded with a barbecue sponsored by the Ohio Reined Cow Horse Association and a preview of the Horse Sales Class, scheduled for Saturday evening. The Finals resume Friday morning, when riders in the remaining divisions will have their first go. Friday evening features Down the Hairy Fence, a highlight of the Finals that brings out top riders for a fast-paced test of horsemanship.
About Show by Appointment
Show by Appointment’s fresh approach to reined cow horse competition has been an unprecedented success in its first season. SBA aims to make showing “Fun, Fair, and Affordable” for competitors. To accommodate those traveling long distances to show and help busy riders fit showing in at their convenience, SBA allows riders to reserve their own ride times in advance. This cuts down on usual travel expenses such as stall rentals and hotels and encourages competitors to make the trip and join in the fun.
Each SBA series includes four shows. Riders who compete at three out of the four shows earn a place in the Championship Finals, slated for October 10-13, 2013, at Triple J Ranch in Sarasota, FL. The Finals offer over $100,000 in cash and prizes. Competitors may also qualify for the Finals in absentia by simply sending in entries and payment to each of the four shows. This system is designed to allow riders a chance to compete in the Championship Finals without spending the season chasing points and incurring excessive competition expenses.
Keep up to date with SBA’s news by liking them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ShowByAppointment, following them on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ShowByAppt, and checking out their website at http://www.showbyappointment.com. See SBA videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/ShowByAppointment.
Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com