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Articles: Press Release
Shetland Pony National Congress
Beats the Heat in New Location
National Formal Driving Champion, Becky McKeith
(All photos by Terri Washburn-courtesy of American Shetland Pony Club
and Washburn Photography)
Contact:
Johnny Robb minipony@earthlink.net
Lake St. Louis, MO- It was hot in St. Louis on August 2-5th for the
American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) National Shetland Pony Congress-
but the ponies who came to compete were even hotter. Some 480 ponies
trekked to the new show site, the National Equestrian Center in Lake
St. Louis. After almost a decade of hosting the show in Rantoul, Il,
show officials were very pleased with the number of entries the new
show location attracted. "With a new location, soaring gasoline
prices and record temperatures, we were concerned about the turnout
for the show," said ASPC Marketing Director, Johnny Robb, "
but not
only was the turnout very good, the caliber of the ponies was really
high in every division".
Once again, ASPC member, Sandy Grabow put together an incredible
program for the youth exhibitors. Whenever the youth participants
were not showing they were on the go with fun activities including
youth judging, electronic quiz bowl, art contests and pottery classes
and much more. "I think the youth programs at our shows is
really
second to none," said Robb, "These kids enjoy so much
more than
just the showing. Thanks to Sandy (Grabow) and the youth committee
and great companies like Farnam and Cowboy Magic, it's like a
week
at camp for our youth riders".
But the kids were not the only ones having a good time. Adult
exhibitors, both amateurs and professionals, took advantage of the
full range of classes offered for pony enthusiasts. Rom spirited
roadster classes and fine harness driving to jumping, obstacle
classes, and fun costume classes- the show offered something for
every competitor.
For the first time, the Shetland Pony Congress offered a new division
of classes for National Show Ponies (NSPR). Jim and Arlyn Story's
Fort Storey's Cannonball Express made history when he became the
first NSPR pony to win a National Championship. Cannonball was named
National Show Pony Hunter Hack National Champion.
This year's Shetland Pony Congress was full of news-a
new
location, a new division and more than 200 new National Champions
added to record books. View the complete ASPC Congress results at
www.horseshowsonline.com
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