The Penn-Ohio Futurity is On the Move!
Tuesday, January 3, 2006
The Pennsylvania Futurity has announced that it will officially be changing its name to more accurately reflect its region and participants to The Penn-Ohio Futurity. In a combined effort to resume its rightful place as a nursery for fine American Saddlebreds, the exhibitors and breeders from the great states of Pennsylvania and Ohio have merged forces to promote The Penn-Ohio Futurity as one of the nation’s most progressive and responsive futurities.
The Ohio Limited Breeders and The Penn-Ohio Futurity are pleased to announce a new venue and new tradition of excellence for 2006 with the move of The Penn-Ohio Futurity to the Springfield Charity Horse Show in Springfield, OH held on September 22-24. Show manager Jack Hawkes is delighted to welcome more colt exhibitors to the Springfield Charity Horse Show that will be held at its fantastic facility at the brand new Clark County Fairgrounds.
The Penn-Ohio Futurity has made some exciting changes that will include a two-year-old under saddle class instead of a two-year-old in hand class and a one-time combined nomination for mares and colts fee of $75. “We want more exhibitors to participate in the two-year-old division and we want to make the payment system super easy with a single payment plan. It is extremely important for us to continue to listen to the people who are actually out there doing it,” says Marcia Belcher, Penn-Ohio, chairwoman. The Ohio Limited Breeders will be offering $50 discounts for stallion nominations during the auction to be held February 26th.
Why the changes? The Pennsylvania Futurity had been physically held in Ohio for years at the Western Reserve Horse Show in Warren, OH. This year with 14 weanlings showing and not in the best of facilities for colts, Belcher decided to take the reins and make some bold moves. “For the health of our industry and with the support of board members including Dick Kearney and Tom Ferrebee this will be the best opportunity to build the futurity in the future,” says Belcher. “We hope to attract exhibitors from Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and Illinois.” Although in conflict at the present time with the lucrative Wisconsin Futurity and The Wisconsin Limited Breeders Stake, The Penn-Ohio and the Ohio Limited Breeders Stake hope to capitalize on the central location at Springfield, OH.
For further information about nominations, rules, and class specifications, details can be found on the Ohio Saddlebred Horse Association web site at http://www.ohiosaddlebred.com or contact Marcia Belcher with any questions at (330) 625-1009.
|