2016 March To The Arch Records 7,250+ Entries, Largest Event in Years!
Pat Heeley riding the mechanical bull during the March To The Arch Exhibitors’ Party. Photo courtesy of Shane Rux.
By: Brittany Bevis
While many enjoyed Easter egg hunts or an elaborate Easter feast, others traveled to Lake St. Louis, MO. for the 2016 March To The Arch Horse Show this past Easter weekend. Held annually as an entirely charitable event, the March To The Arch relies on the support and generosity of show sponsors, judges, show staff, and ring crew, who all donate their time in an effort to raise the most money possible for cancer research.
The final fundraising total hasn’t been confirmed yet, however the number of entries recorded during the show bodes well for a very high total! Mark Harrell Horse Shows is excited to announce that this year’s event recorded over 7,250 entries, making it the largest March To The Arch in many years!
Class sizes were impressive across the board:
- L1 Western Riding- 15
- Ranch Riding-15
- Performance Halter Mares- 15
- Amateur Select Showmanship- 16
- L1 Youth Showmanship- 17
- Senior Western Pleasure- 17
- L1 Amateur Horsemanship- 18
- L1 Amateur Western Pleasure- 20
- Youth Showmanship 14-18- 21
- Youth Horsemanship 14-18- 20
- Junior Trail- 21
- L1 Western Pleasure- 25
- L1 Trail- 41
- Senior Trail- 42
Several fun, new events highlighted the schedule this year including the $7,500 3 and Over Novice Horse Western Pleasure that was sponsored by The National Equestrian Center and Donatelli’s Bistro and The Equine Chronicle $10,000 Novice Non Pro Western Pleasure.
Casey Willis with KM Weknowshehot. Photo courtesy of Gordon Downey.
Claiming the championship spot in the 3 and Over Novice Horse Western Pleasure was Casey Willis aboard KM Weknowshehot. Reserve was Brian Cox with Loping Radical. Placing third was Cleve Wells with Coleman. Sharing the fourth and fifth place spots were Andy Cochran with Aint In No Hurry and Katy Zuidema with Superman. The highest placing limited rider was Travis Duit.
In The Equine Chronicle Novice Non Pro Western Pleasure, Sydnie Ochs rode Invite Only The Best to win a big check for $3,400, besting 11 entries. The Reserve Champion was Sara Goldstein with Sundi Nite Invite, who took home $2,700. Splitting third, fourth and fifth, and receiving $1,300 each were Lisa Freeman with Sugar N Chips, Hanna Ring with Come On Mann, and Sarah Maggert with Caught Me Looking.
Sydnie Ochs and Invite Only The Best. Photo courtesy of Darcy Reeve.
On Friday evening, the party really got underway with a live and silent auction, Cancer Survivor Recognition Ceremony, and Exhibitors’ Party complete with a mechanical bull!
Click on the links below to view complete results courtesy of Mark Harrell Horse Shows, fun snapshots from our very own Gordon Downey, and ring images courtesy of Shane Rux Photography.
Click here to view results from S/C 1.
Click here to view results from S/C 2.
Click here to view circuit champions and High Point results.
Photo Galleries:
Around the Rings 3/24 with the G-Man
Around the Rings 3/25 with the G-Man
Around the Rings 3/26 with the G-Man
