Around the Rings – The OAQHA (Not So) Little Buckeye 2025
All images courtesy of Lisa Anderson Photography LLC.
The (Not So) Little Buckeye, held July 10-13, 2025, reigned supreme again this year with more than 2100 AQHA entries per judge at Garwood Arena in Columbiana, Ohio. An AQHA Top 10 Show, the Little Buckeye hosted Ride the Pattern clinics throughout the show, fed their busy exhibitors thanks to generous sponsors, and brought in extra judges to keep the show day manageable.
As a result of the teamwork of everyone, including exhibitors, The Little Buckeye provided what Ohio Amateur Quarter Horse Association President Michelle Trimble-Ceschan describes as “an incredible weekend of camaraderie, competition & horsemanship.”
The judges for the show: Mike Rapley, Liz Baker, Clint Ainsworth, Leslie Lange, Mike Edwards, Lindsay Soderberg-Geiger, Garth Gooding, and Michael Weaver.
Circuit Winners and High Point Champions: 2025 Little Buckeye__circuit.docx
Complete results: TheLittleBuckeye.Results.pdf
Scribe sheets: Little Buckeye_scribe sheets — An Equine Production
Kathy Avolt of An Equine Production treated exhibitors to one of her famous essays about the show incorporating many names of the horses at the show! Continue reading for this fun piece:
The ‘Not So’ Little Buckeye at the Garwood Arena is living up to its name. It was not a Ringside Rumour that the show had more than 350 Showmanship runs, more than 380 Horsemanship runs and even the Amateur WJ Western Pleasure had more than 30! The Ohio Amateur only want All The Best Things for the exhibitors showing. Donuts in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, and even dinners in the evenings.
To avoid showing Twenty Four Seven, we re-arranged the schedule and brought in a couple extra judges. Of course, you can Bank On It that no one wants to show really late in the evenings. We are Always Thinkin Outloud when it comes to changing the schedule to accommodate the fantastic numbers. The show is An American Legacy when it comes to amazing prizes.
In the Ranch arena, a few exhibitors were Dun Trash Talkin and decided that they are Gonna Needa Martini after the Ranch Trail. Some passed on Bottle Service and would rather have Booze Ina Blender. One trainer commented that CoronasMakeMeSleepy so he stuck with the Last Drop Of Wine.
While in the trail arena, it was Cool Girl Code as the ladies were taking home many of the top scores. There was one hollering Aint No Stoppin Her but A Good Time Guy did crack the top of the green. At the end of the day, it was all about the Happy Pony though.
Many of the trainers are Lovin What I Do. Why you ask? Because they helped to conduct the Ride The Patterns for all of the exhibitors each night. They say it Takes A Village and Well Theres That, but horse shows are Cheaper Than Therapy.
The show will conclude on Sunday and CountryRdsTakeMeHome. We might Live For The Applauz but we show horses If It Makes U Happy.
-By Kathy Avolt.
