The Fourth Of July saw a full day of classes at the Big A circuit in Conyers, Georgia, but the day was topped off with the Heroes Horsemanship Challenge and the Bridleless Western Pleasure classes, and of course, bar-b-que for attendees. A parade of decorated golf carts also filled the Grand Prix arena, with a best in show award for the best decorated vehicle.
While arenas were filled with Showmanship, Halter, Hunter Under Saddle and Hunt Seat Equitation during the day, the Sweet Show Grand Prix Arena saw the grand finale classes of the night.
Heroes Horsemanship
The Heroes Horsemanship Challenge was held for the first time at the Big A this year. Previously held in North Carolina during the Tarheel Classic, the event moved to the Big A, where it was well received by exhibitors, trainers and spectators.
15 active duty and retired service members were divided into teams of three people, who each shared the same horse. The riders were grouped into Advanced, Intermediate and Beginner level so that one member from each team competed in each level, and their scores were combined to determine the winning team. Each team was provided with a horse that the team shared, so that each member could perform their Horsemanship pattern individually. The riders were coached by a number of professional trainers.
The riders were introduced to a wave of American flags from the audience and joined by their coaches, sponsors and organizers in the Grand Prix Arena. Although all of the riders were winners, it was Team White that took home the first place prize, which included custom belt buckles.
The team included Ryan Bandy, his sister-in-law Kylie Perrine-Foran, and team member and friend Jaret Whitt. “This all started a couple of years ago at the Heroes On Horses event in Tulsa,” noted Kylie.
“Jake Hartman came up with this idea to create a class that could be a team event, and something that the veterans could just compete in t-shirts, no show clothes. Jake had talked to us about it, and the Bandy and Perrine families were all in. We knew that we had the military connections to invite veterans to participate, and Jake had the trainer connections to get some horses and coaches, and it just took off, and it’s been great.”
“The Big A is one of our favorite shows of the year, and when it was suggested that we might have the class here, we reached out to Robin and made it happen,” added Ryan. “We’ve competed at the Heroes On Horses, and this in no way takes away from the Heroes event. It’s just something separate that we are doing for the veterans here, and it’s a lot of fun. It’s been an awesome experience, and I think we’ve found a new home here at the Big A.”
Bridleless Western Pleasure Raises $10,000
The Bridleless Western Pleasure class saw three intrepid horses and riders compete, but before the competition, the three teams were auctioned Calcutta style. The initial auction raised $8,000, but the winning bidder of the winning horse, Butch and Robin Rice, upped their bid for a total of $10,000 raised, which will be split between a military organization and the Georgia Quarter Horse Youth Association.
Cody Parrish showed Just To B Cool to the win. He upped his degree of difficulty by not only showing bridleless but also bareback. “He showed really well this way,” laughed Cody. “I might have to show him this way more often!”
The class was judged by John Boxell and Jake Hartman, who agreed on their placings. “Peanut was perfect,” Cody said. “It’s always fun when you can show in something that raised money for a good cause.”
Butch Rice didn’t hesitate to not only bid but to up the bid for the cause. “It was really my goal to see us get to $10,000,” he said. “The military is something really close to Robin and me, and we love the Georgian Quarter Horse Association. We may not be from Georgia, but this association is special to us. I think we’re honorary Georgians.”
Earlier in the day, two Non-Pro added money classes were held. Undressed N Radical and. Kylie Davis won the $500 Added Green Non-Pro Hunt Seat Equitation while Cadillac Blues and Alison Hartman won the $500 Added Green. Non-Pro Showmanship.
The Big A continues through Sunday, July 9. To view complete show results, please visit the Horse Show Tracker app.
