Enjoy Southern Hospitality in the Deep South at Zone 6 Zone-O-Rama Beginning Today in Tunica
Competitors having fun in Tunica! Photo courtesy of Gordon Downey.
By: Brittany Bevis
Who’s ready for some southern hospitality in the Deep South? The 2014 Deep South Zone 6 Zone-O-Rama kicks off this morning in Tunica, Mississippi with trail classes and will continue through March 16th.
In 2013, the Deep South Zone 6 Show was sixth on APHA’s list of top horse shows in the nation with 742 entries, and it awarded $30,000 in cash and prizes. With the return of popular fun classes from prior years and new added money classes for this year’s event, the 2014 show is shaping up to be a success as well.
Judges for the horse show are Brad Kearns, Kim Myers, Michael Ochetto, Tom Robertson, Mark Russell, and Chris Thompson. Designing the trail courses this year is Robert Dehn, who has created a fun, yet challenging, series of obstacles for competitors, says Show Manager Karen Kennedy.
Horse and rider teams will have the chance to test their skills on the course during the Gamblin’ On Trail in Tunica, which is sponsored once again by the Caliendo Family. The winners of seven of the trail classes at the show will receive the opportunity to draw for cold, hard, cash!
One new event this year is the Green Hunter Under Saddle Sweepstakes, which is sponsored by Bauer and Gooding Show Horses. The first go will take place today, and the second and final go is on Saturday. This class will offer $500 in added money with 100% payback. Another new event is the Green Western Pleasure, which is sponsored by Espuela Ranch. The first go is today, and the second go will take place Sunday afternoon. This class also has $500 in added money and 100% payback.
A fun event that will take place directly following the Green Western Pleasure Sweepstakes is a Stick Horse Race to benefit Kaitlyn McCulley’s AjPHA Youth Presidential Service Project, “Bring It Home.” The goal of this Service Project is to help endow AjPHA youth scholarships. In addition to the Stick Horse Race, there will be an Ideal Stick Horse competition and calcutta.
If you can’t be at the show, but would like to keep up with all the action, Horse Show Webcasts will be live streaming beginning today.
Our very own Gordon Downey is already onsite and sending plenty of fun candid photos. Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com for more photos and results coming soon.
Click here to view patterns.
Click here to watch the live feed from Tunica.
A few classes have already been completed this morning. Check out the circuit champions that have recently been crowned with results courtesy of Peggy Ivins. If you’d like to share your photos from the show with us, e-mail b.bevis@equinechronicle.com or use #Zone6Tunica.
Circuit Champion Youth Walk Trot Trail- Vested Right and Alexa Rogers
Circuit Champion Green Trail- How Inviting and Ryan Painter
Circuit Champion Novice Youth Trail- Some Sweet Machine- Mallory Vroegh
Circuit Champion Novice Amateur Trail- Stately Sensation- Hannah Heinbuch
Circuit Champion Junior Trail- How Inviting and Ryan Painter
