QUENTIN, Pa. - The 47th edition of the Mid-Atlantic Morgan Horse Show was held on August 8-11 at the scenic Quentin Riding Club. Mid-A was once again the regional championship horse show for AMHA Region 2. A visit to Quentin is like a trip back in time. Rolling farm land, corn fields, a large Amish population and the Quentin Riding Club itself are truly reminiscent of a simpler life. Even the show schedule featured a return to the old as the former schedule with a Sunday afternoon finish was re-instituted this year. Despite the universal unpopularity of horse shows that end on Sunday, Mid-A went back to their former schedule without too many complaints.
The show still attracted strong support of stables from the Mid-Atlantic states as well New England, the Southern states and the Midwest. Numbers were up with over 300 horses taking part in the show ring as well as sport venues. Spectators could be seen viewing the twin rings which featured show ring action on one side of the bridge and sport horse competition on the other. The show featured three sessions a day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday along with Sunday morning and afternoon classes.
The weather was on everyone's minds throughout the show. Just as the weather was pleasant for most of the recent New England Regional, Mid-A too fell at a perfect time nestled between a pair of long and unpleasant heat waves. As opposed to last year's deluge of rain, the grounds this year were a bit dusty as a drought situation kept watering to a minimum.
The quality of entries was outstanding with many world champions vying for top honors including some who made their season debuts at Mid-A. Many other champions also came to Mid-A fresh from wins at New England, Blue Ridge, Penn-Ohio and Michigan. Many of the Mid-A champions are looking to continue their winning seasons in Oklahoma only two short months away.
Mid-A's relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere featured outstanding hospitality and many parties for everyone in attendance. The ringside hospitality tent sponsored by Blue Bridle Insurance was a popular place as always under the chairmanship of Mary Picus. Everyone enjoyed Broadmoor's annual ice cream social following Friday night's classes. Saturday night's Exhibitor's Party was held back under the tent as exhibitors enjoyed a pig roast sponsored by The Yum Kee Fu Family of Dragonsmeade Farm and the Gatewood / Buckle Family of DanTree Farm.
The show was again under the wing of show manager Glenn Petty and committee chair Dr. Albert A. Lucine, Jr., while Mike Goebig serves as Mid-A Morgan Club President. The ever popular sport horse divisions were again chaired by CeAnn Shipley (Sport and Dressage), Kathleen Newcomb (Carriage), and Lyn Skillington (Hunter). Mrs. Albert Lucine continued on as show secretary assisted by Rhonda Mikiska, Barbara Brittain, Carol Hackney, and Sara Kitchen. Bill Whitley and Lt. Col. James Marsh were center stage as ringmasters, while Mary Lynn Whitley returned as USAE Steward and Joyce Hardesty served as Technical Delegate. Sean Travers had his hammer in hand as the show farrier. Robb Platz kept all of the announcements flowing while Groff Bittner kept everyone entertained with his tunes on the organ. Howard Schatzberg along with his crew were welcomed back as official show photographer.
Headlining the list of officials were those in charge of selecting the winners; Scott Thacker (Park Harness, English Pleasure, Western Pleasure, Classic Pleasure Driving, Stallions In Hand, Roadster, Western Seat Equitation, Futurity and Miscellaneous); James Lowry (Park Saddle, Pleasure Driving, Mares and Geldings In Hand, Classic Pleasure Saddle, Hunter Pleasure, Saddle Seat Equitation, Hunt Seat Equitation, Futurity and Miscellaneous); Jerre Frankhouser (Working Hunter, Hunter Hack, and Hunt Seat Equitation); Lore Homer (Carriage); Brian Dygert (Reining and AMHA Stock Seat Medal); Dale Lappert (Dressage) and Anne Kierkegaard (Dressage and Sport Horse Suitability). Fay Lowry also took her place in center ring as learner judge.
Once again this year, one of the special highlights at Mid-A was Cindy Nord’s perfectly appointed pair of Clydesdales as well as a new addition in her Friesians. The evening sessions were opened by various show officials entering the ring behind these beautiful and powerful horses with Barry Dickinson and Cindy Nord on the lines. Another special event was Sunday's Mid-A Raffle of the two-year-old gelding Whitemud Bells And Whistles donated by Rhoda Hoenmans and won by Beverly and Ron Nagy. The Mid-A Youth Of The Year Contest saw Victoria Woodard earn a trip to Oklahoma for the finals with her winning performance.