Tag Archives: Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show

Community/Charity, Competitions, Equestrian Aid Found., Show Jumping

Aguilar Wins Tenth Annual EAF Grooms Class at BRCHS

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Jose Aguilar, Undeniable, and EAF board member and class sponsor Missy Luczak-Smith. Photo by Cathrin Cammett.

Blowing Rock, N.C. – August 3, 2022 – Jose Aguilar topped a field of 19 entries to win the $2,000 EAF Grooms Class at the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show on Sunday. His victory with Ann Rice Ervin’s 2015 KWPN gelding Undeniable marks his return to the winner’s circle after previously winning the class in both 2016 and 2018.

Judge Scott Hofstetter had the difficult task of ranking the class’s entries. “It was hands down the hardest class at the show to judge because of the quality of the turnout and the effort that all the grooms put into horses and their setup,” he said.

In addition to prize money, class participants received supplies from Shapley’s Superior Grooming Products, along with gift certificates to BRCHS and Coffee by Design. Aguilar also received a custom silver belt buckle crafted by Kathy’s Show Equipment.

Amateur hunter rider and EAF board member Missy Luczak-Smith organizes and sponsors the annual EAF Grooms Class at Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show. Now in its tenth year, the class has become a highlight for grooms and owners alike. “I remember our inaugural class in 2013 had 11 entries,” said Luczak-Smith. “In recent years, we’ve doubled that. These grooms hold themselves to such a high standard, and it’s wonderful that the BRCHS community commits to recognizing them each year.”

Luczak-Smith thanked Shapley’s for their continued commitment to both the Equestrian Aid Foundation and the industry’s working professionals. She also expressed thanks to Caroline Moran and Ellen Weaver for their generous support of the class.

For more information, please visit EquestrianAidFoundation.org.

Competitions, Equestrian Aid Found., Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

First Time’s a Charm for Daniel Castillo in $4k EAF Grooms Class at Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show

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Angela Pollack, Missy Luczak-Smith, and Daniel Castillo with As Ever. Photo by Cathrin Cammett.

Aug. 3, 2021 – Blowing Rock, NC – Professional groom Daniel Castillo is no stranger to horse shows, but last Sunday was the first time he attended one as a competitor. In his first venture into the show ring, Castillo topped a field of twenty entries to win the ninth annual Equestrian Aid Foundation Grooms Class at the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show.

An employee of Spring Mill Farm in Memphis, Tenn., 21-year-old Castillo was encouraged to enter the class by his coworkers. Judge Bob Crandall had the difficult task of ranking the entries, but in the end, Castillo came out on top with As Ever, a 2008 grey Holsteiner gelding owned by Ella Trotz. “I’m very honored to get to show in this class with so many of my friends and fellow grooms,” said Castillo. “It’s incredible to be chosen as the winner and I thank everyone at Shapley’s, the Blowing Rock Horse Show, the sponsors, and the Equestrian Aid Foundation for this opportunity.”

Since its inception in 2013, the EAF Grooms Class at Blowing Rock has been organized and sponsored by Equestrian Aid Foundation board member Missy Luczak-Smith and her husband Doug Smith. “Every year, this class is incredibly competitive,” said Luczak-Smith. “It’s a real testament to the professionalism of our top grooms and the integral part they play in our sport.”

In addition to prize money, the class winner was awarded a custom belt buckle from Kathy’s Show Equipment, a family-run business that specializes in high quality, handmade horse show equipment and apparel. Top-placing grooms also received products from Shapley’s Superior Grooming Products.

Luczak-Smith recognized Shapley’s for their longstanding commitment to both the Equestrian Aid Foundation and the industry’s working professionals. She also expressed thanks to Caroline Moran and the Gibson family for their generous support of the class.

For more information, please visit EquestrianAidFoundation.org.

Community/Charity, Equestrian Aid Found.

Jose Aguilar Wins $2,000 EAF Grooms Class at Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show

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Class sponsor Missy Luczak-Smith with winner Jose Aguilar and Fearless, owned by Emily Durlach. Photo by Sally Floyd Kay.

Blowing Rock, N.C. – July 30, 2018 – Jose Aguilar and his charge Fearless, a 6-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Emily Durlach, topped a field of 14 entries to win the $2,000 Equestrian Aid Foundation Hunter Grooms Class at the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show on Sunday.

“So much of a groom’s work happens behind the scenes, but these individuals are the heart and soul of the equestrian community,” said Missy Luczak-Smith, who has organized and sponsored the class since 2013. “The Grooms Class is a wonderful way to recognize their dedication to the horses they care for and to the sport in general.”

The top six entries were awarded cash prizes, and all class entries received gifts from FarmVet and a supply of Shapley’s Superior Grooming Products. Luczak-Smith said that the continuing partnership between Equestrian Aid Foundation and Shapley’s, which began earlier this year, is especially meaningful because both organizations share a commitment to the wellbeing of the equestrian community.

Aguilar also took home an Equestrian Aid Foundation rain jacket, donated by Luczak-Smith from The Clothes Horse. Second place winner Daniel Gomez, handling Caroline Moran’s Bacardi, took home an Equestrian Aid Foundation vest, also donated by Luczak-Smith from The Clothes Horse.

Luczak-Smith has been involved with the Equestrian Aid Foundation since 2005 and has served on its board of directors for over a decade. A consistently successful competitor in the Amateur Owner hunter division, she currently trains with Karen A. Kelley of Sims Hill Farm. The North Carolina-based training facility is a proud Equestrian Aid Foundation Stable Partner, a designation given to stables whose members work collectively to support the foundation’s mission of helping fellow horsemen recover and thrive following catastrophic illness or injury.

For more information, please visit EquestrianAidFoundation.org.

Community/Charity

Blowing Rock Charity Horse Honored as USEF Heritage Competition

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Lexington, Ky. – The Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show in Blowing Rock, N.C. has been honored with the United States Equestrian Federation’s designation as a USEF Heritage Competition, the highest honor currently held by any Federation horse show.

The designation of a USEF Heritage Competition is reserved for competitions that have been in existence for a quarter-century or more, promoted and grown equestrian sport, and made contributions to the community outside the gates of the horse show by achieving, maintaining, and promoting the equestrian ideals of sportsmanship and competition.

The Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show has a long and noteworthy history as one of the oldest and continuously operated competitions in the United States. Run for the first time in 1923 the prestigious show has run uninterrupted for 90 years. The Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show has had a deep impact on the community having provided generous financial assistance to local charities.

“On behalf of the United States Equestrian Federation, I would like to congratulate the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show for its appointment as a USEF Heritage Competition at the 2014 USEF Annual Meeting,” said USEF Chief Executive Officer John Long. “This show has become a part of the fabric of the American showing scene. With its endurance, dedication to philanthropic efforts and impact on the community, it is a perfect example of what we look for when designating Heritage Competitions.”

The specific requirements of a Heritage Competition can be found in the USEF Rule Book, GR301.6 or at www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2009/GeneralRules/Chapter%203.pdf.

Interested competitions may apply for Heritage Competition designation by completing the form available at www.usef.org/documents/competitions/2009/HeritageApplication.pdf.