Largest Ever Buckeye Classic Will Kick Off This Weekend in Ohio

By: Brittany Bevis

The largest Buckeye Classic in history is expected to kick off in just a few days in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeye event is comprised of the Little Buckeye, July 15-17, and the Buckeye Classic, July 20-24, which will provide AQHA competitors with nine sets of points, three sets of NSBA points, huge class sizes, fantastic prizes, and fun special events.

The Little Buckeye provides three sets of points and one set of NSBA points. The Buckeye Classic provides six sets of points for Showmanship, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle, and Pleasure Driving; five sets of points to all other events; and two sets of NSBA points. Also, this event is proud to be the first in Ohio to offer AQHA Leveling to its competitors.

Judges for the Little Buckeye are Michael Colvin, Bill Kaven, Jeff Mellott, Steve Meadows, Bruce Walquist, and Cindy Hale. Judges for the Buckeye Classic are Elizabeth Baker, Jeff Allen, John Boxell, Garth Gooding, Jan Hoskin Hay, Larry Little, Karen Watters, and Andrea Simons.

Just like in the past, all AQHA youth entries will be FREE at the Little Buckeye, courtesy of G & G Feed and Supply, Coughlin Automotive, and Coughlin Shadow. All AQHA amateur entries at the Buckeye Classic will be FREE, courtesy of Royal Wire Equine Products, Leeman Farm, The Martz Family, and Christa Baldwin Quarter Horses & Clients.

We’re very excited that The Equine Chronicle is expanding our presence at the show this year, bringing back our popular Equine Chronicle Hospitality Tent where volunteers will be handing out free goodies throughout the entirety of the show. Also, be on the look-out of the Chronicle Golf Cart that will be making rounds at the show, handing out complementary water and snacks. Something new this year is the Chronicle Snack Shack where exhibitors can pick up free items, the latest edition of The Equine Chronicle, and calendars.

There are a few special events on the schedule including the 4th Annual Buckeye Open Charity Golf Outing on Monday, July 18th. Proceeds will benefit the Ohio Quarter Horse Scholarship Fund.

Also, be sure to attend the 2nd Annual Pizza With Patti, where AQHA Executive Director of Shows Patti Carter will be hosting a Leveling Town Hall Meeting where competitors will have the opportunity to ask questions and enjoy free pizza.

Now to those incredible prizes… $100 Rod’s gift cards will be presented to each Class Circuit Champion, courtesy of Sea Ridge Farms; Small Fry Champions presented by Closet Space Consignment and Boutique, Youth Level 1 Champions presented by Ohio Orthopedic Center, Youth 13 & Under Champions presented by Reid Thomas Performance Horses, Youth 14-18 Champions presented by Bernatowicz Show Horses, Amateur Level 1 Champions presented by Folk Insurance, Amateur Champions presented by Trein Training Center, Amateur Select Champions presented by D Designs/Hot Ones Only, Green Horse Champions presented by Camden Equine Rehabilitation Center, Open Champions presented by Kathy Williams Tail Extensions, Rookie Amateur Champion presented by Dac Products, and Rookie Youth Champion presented by Carbide Probes Inc.

The High Point Open Halter Horse, Open English Horse, and Open Western Horse will each receive a gift certificate to Holly Spagnola Designs, a neck ribbon, and a crystal trophy presented by PowderBrook Farm.

This year, over $4,500 in Rod’s gift cards will be awarded during the Buckeye Classic & Little Buckeye Team Tournament Challenge, which is being presented by Piper Performance Horses and Baker Futurity Horses.

• Each member of the First Place Team receives a $500 Rods.com Gift Card and a Crystal Trophy
• Each member of the Second Place Team receives a $400 Rods.com Gift Card
• Each member of the Third Place Team receives a $300 Rods.com Gift Card
• Each member of the Fourth Place Team receives a $200 Rods.com Gift Card
• Each member of the Fifth Place Team receives a $100 Rods.com Gift Card

For the tiny tykes, Special Leadline and Small Fry Awards will be presented by The World Equestrian Center and The Salome Quarter Horse Family. Also, random drawings will be held for any exhibitor showing in his/her first year of AQHA competition, presented by Recchiuti Show Horses. One competitor will receive a custom saddle and the other will receive a Greeley Champion Hat, both courtesy of Rod’s.

$1,000 NSBA Added Money Classes will include:

• Two Year Old Open Western Pleasure presented by Doug Rath Performance Horses
• Two Year Old Open Hunter Under Saddle presented by CAC Show Horses
• Three Year Old Open Western Pleasure presented by Ty & Karen Hornick Quarter Horses
• Three Year Old Non Pro Western Pleasure presented by Lakins Quarter Horses
• Three Year Old Open Hunter Under Saddle presented by Capall Creek Farm
• Three Year Old Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle presented by Sweet Shop & Sweet Nays
• Maturity Open Western Pleasure presented by Brian Cox Quarter Horses
• Maturity Non Pro Western Pleasure presented by Reger Quarter Horses
• Maturity Open Hunter Under Saddle presented by Puthoff Performance Horses/Ritzi Dental
• Maturity Non Pro Hunter Under Saddle presented by Show Stop Farm / Nancy Sue Ryan
• Non Pro Walk/Trot Western Pleasure presented by Custom Cutters

8 iPad Minis will be awarded by random drawings, courtesy of P.I.&I. Motor Express, Chris Gray Performance Horses, Wild Oats Farm/The Tordoff Family, Weiler Financial Services, Custom Cutters, and Buckeye Nutrition. Also, the Random Acts of Kindness Prizes are back where exhibitors and spectators will be able to nominate anyone on the grounds they feel is deserving of a special prize.

Stay tuned to EquineChronicle.com for results and photos coming from the show.

Important Links:

2016 Stall Chart

The Little Buckeye Showbill
The Buckeye Classic Showbill
The Little Buckeye Patterns
The Buckeye Classic Patterns – First Half
The Buckeye Classic Patterns – Second Half
The Buckeye Pre-Registration Form
The Buckeye NSBA Class Form