Six Standardbred riders from Ontario travelled to Sunbury, Ohio, to compete at the first annual World Standardbred Show, October 5 and 6. The event was organized by the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of Ohio and New Vocations Racehorse Rescue and held in the two very large indoor arenas at the Eden Park Equestrian Complex. A wide range of classes were offered including in-hand, dressage, hunter/jumper, western, driving, saddleseat and gaited to name just a few. The show was a fitting finale for the competitors, who compete locally at the four shows which make up the Ontario Standardbred Show Series – Standardrama, Oxer Standardbred Show, Standardbred Showcase, and South Western Ontario Standardbred Horse Show.
Meghan Melchers and her mare, Dream a Little Dream, came home with Championships in Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, English Pleasure 2-gait, and English Pleasure 3-gait. In addition, the pair were Reserve Champion in Trail. Keira Liberté and A Crack of the Whip finished with Reserve Championship ribbons in Dressage, English Pleasure 2-gait, and English Pleasure 3-gait. Michelle Bohrer took two horses to the event and won Reserve Champion Western Horsemanship 3-gait and Champion Western Horsemanship 3-gait with her handsome gray gelding, Just Jate. She also placed 3rd in the English Pleasure 3-gait Championship class with Dominant Kemp. The Championship in Western Pleasure 2-gait went to Jackie Imeson and Matts Warrior. The pair also won the Reserve Championship in Driving. The Driving Championship was won by Lisa Foster and Jif. Kelly Bryczka rounded out the team from Ontario and brought home ribbons in Showmanship, Dressage and Hunter/Jumper.
Standardbred Showcase President Renee Sutton had an information booth set up at the show to promote the Ontario Standardbred Show Series. We met many great people, and several competitors from the US expressed interest in attending the Ontario shows. We look forward to seeing them next season!
About Standardbred Showcase: Standardbred Showcase Riding Club is a not-for-profit corporation whose mandate is to promote the Standardbred as a performance horse in english, western and driving disciplines. More information can be found at www.standardbredshowcase.com or on Facebook.
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