PQHA Summer Kick-Off Show a Huge Hit Among Ranch Riding Competitors

By: Rita McMullen

The Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association kicked off their first show of 2017 this past weekend at the Centre County Grange Equine Park in Centre Hall, PA. There were several firsts for PQHA and exhibitors.

“Due to the popularity and rapid growth of the Ranch Riding discipline, we’re excited to move these events to the start of our show on Friday evening. We were also excited to add the Versatility Ranch Horse Ranch Trail classes as well, we’re so happy that these changes were so well received by our exhibitors,” says Carla Weaver, PQHA President. Friday’s entries included 44 runs of Ranch Riders and 18 goes in the Ranch Trail.

Jim Madison of Cherry Creek, NY, came to his first PQHA show for the Ranch Riding events. “I’m constantly looking for more numbers in Ranch Riding, and people told me PQHA was the place to come. It was worth my 3.5 hour drive. Everyone here is so friendly and helpful. I like the Friday night schedule, and what a beautiful facility! I definitely plan to return for the other PQHA shows.” Carol Runk of Lewistown, PA. also loved the Friday night schedule. Other comments were all positive for the schedule as well as the opportunity to show in the Ranch Trail event.

Another first was for the Inaugural PQHA Princess Contest. “Several of the young exhibitors have expressed interest in helping the Queen,” says Aubrey Braham, PQHA Congress Queen, who put the contest together. “We were so delighted to see the interest with three contestants for the first time contest.” Kennedy Harper, age 7, was named PQHA Princess 2017, and Addison Gray, age 5, and Dakota Hultberg, age 9, were named Royal Court members. All will assist the PQHA Queen in her duties this year. The contestants each submitted a videotaped horse demonstration and an interview with the judges. They also had “Tea with the Queen.”

The PQHA Youth association also had their first “Adopt A Small Fry” event. “We have many young Small Fry exhibitors who want to be involved with the big kids and are happy to help with youth activities, so we came up with this idea to pair a mentor and a youth member they can learn from,” says Jess McMullen, PQHA Youth Advisor. The youth offered free pizza, ice cream, and face painting for all youth on Saturday following the show.

Judges for the PQHA show were Tina Anderson, John Boxell, Lynda Danielson, and Michelle Tidwell.

The Centre County Grange Equine Park continues to make improvements. “We are continually striving to improve our equine facility,” says Darlene Confer, Manager – Grange Fair & Equine Park. A newly excavated tent pad for a large stall tent was added just south of the current barns. Also in the initial stages is a stone pad for a 40 x 60 covered Pavilion with stamped concrete floor that will have picnic tables for exhibitors and spectators to be out of the weather and central to the Vendor Center, which has new electric and water connections for the show and food vendors. Additional upgrades are being made to the indoor arena, including new footing, additional road construction, and upgraded lighting as well as upgrades to the original barn.

“The Ramada Hotel has broke ground on a new hotel with 100 rooms to be completed by 2018, only 5.5 miles from the Equine Park. They realize the importance of this equine facility,” Confer says.

Click here to view results from the PQHA Kick-Off Show.