IASHA Celebrates 2010 High Point Champions
Monday, March 7, 2011
CARMEL, Indiana – Members of the Indiana American Saddlebred Horse Association gathered at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, Indiana, the end of February for their annual high point awards banquet. The ASHA state charter club of Indiana boasts over 110 members, mostly from Indiana but also from several contiguous states, over 60 of whom were present in Carmel to celebrate the champions of 2010. Members earned points toward their championships by competing at over 25 IASHA approved shows in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan throughout the 2010 season.
After socializing during the cocktail hour, attendees enjoyed a sumptuous buffet catered by Ritz Charles staff. One of the highlights of the evening was a stirring 12 minute video produced by Michelle Lawson, which featured 2010 candid photos and videos of IASHA members and their horses set to music. Over 40 trophies were awarded to the winners, which included high point divisions in performance, equitation, pleasure and academy. IASHA prides itself on offering appealing and unusual awards, and this year was no exception. Trophies included items from the Saddlebred Museum plus many one of a kind equine gifts. The honorees themselves comprised an illustrious group, with several world, national and regional champions garnering top honors.
Thanks to several generous donations from local organizations, a dozen lucky banquet goers took home coveted door prizes, which included a one year subscription to Saddle Horse Report and Horse World, collector DVDs donated by Jim Aikman, plus stalls at Spring Warm-Up, Indianapolis Charity and All American Horse Classic. Kids enjoyed a special drawing of their own with boxes of chocolates for all.
In addition to the high point trophies, IASHA also presented the ASHA State Pleasure Championships. 2010 honors went to: Five Gaited Show Pleasure, CH Summit Up, owned by Linda Thorin Johnson; Adult Three Gaited Show Pleasure, CH Lightin’ Lil, owned by Skip and Linda Beltz; Show Pleasure Driving, CH Irish Tribute, owned by Dr. Gene Ress; Adult English Country Pleasure, Kalarama’s Flo Jo, owned Diana Whitinger; Junior Exhibitor English Country Pleasure, My Christmas Eve, owned by Lindsey Redifer; Country Pleasure Driving, He’s A Royal Pepper, owned by Peg & Jim Williams; Hunter Country Pleasure, Too Wong Foo, owned by Bob Price; and Western Country Pleasure, Mr. Threadman, owned by Caroline Boyer.
The IASHA is dedicated to promoting the American Saddlebred in Indiana - among their projects are the highly successful Spring Warm-Up Show in Cloverdale, Indiana each March; the ASB breed booth and demonstrations at the annual Hoosier Horse Fair; support of grass roots shows and academy classes; a bi-monthly newsletter; and the IASHA website at www.indianasaddlebred.com. This active group will sponsor its first annual trail ride in September.
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