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Friends Come Together for FASH



The Friends of the American Saddlebred Horse Show was held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on May 6-8. This show continues to grow in numbers every year since moving to the fairgrounds. Judging duties went to Kim and Peter Cowart, and Gayle Lampe. Show Manager Susan Roetman and Show Secretary Louise Fahey did a phenomenal job. The show went very well thanks to a large number of volunteers.

Hospitality abounds at this show as well as exhibitor's parties. Westwood Farm hosted a wine and cheese party Friday night. There was a progressive party Saturday evening in the barn. Each stable represented a different country and there was plenty of good food and fun to go around.

Classes were well filled and competition was steep. Arguably, one of the highlights of the show was the Professional’s Equitation Class. This class is sponsored by Carlos Chavez of Chavez Custom Clothiers. Each year he graciously offers a $500 gift certificate to the winner of the class. This year, Bob Griffin, Courtney Church, and Todd Perkins competed for the gift certificate. This year's class proved to be a little more exciting than in the years past as three workouts were posted in the office for exhibitors to vote on for the price of a dollar. The money would then be split among the trainers. The pattern chosen was as follows:

Trot out of the lineup and down the rail showing two diagonal changes. Stop. Reverse. Canter a small circle. Stop. Reverse. Canter a small circle. Stop. Drop irons and return to the lineup. Address reins and salute judges.

The excitement came when Courtney Church, borrowing a horse from Northern Tradition Farm, was cantering her first circle. The girth broke resulting in an unplanned, though gracefully landed, dismount from the horse.

The class concluded and Bob Griffin was named the unanimous winner of the class. Carlos Chavez amazed everyone and generously offered a $500 certificate to each trainer in the class.

Again, the show was a hit with trainers and exhibitors alike. The staff works hard to make sure all needs are met and the fairgrounds have great facilities and a big, beautiful ring. This show is sure to keep growing in numbers with the wonderful job done by all.

Complete results follow and they can also be seen, searched,and printed out from our web site at www.saddlehorsereport.com.

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