On its 25th Anniversary, the Pro Am Benefit Horse Show moved its location to the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, Ga. The move inspired a return of the Florida barns and despite a first year date conflict, many loyal exhibitors continued to support the show some coming from as far north as Indiana as Delovely Farms has always done. With five horse shows on this same weekend, including J.D. Massey in Clemson, S.C., show management expected to see a decline in entries. However, the tremendous support of the Florida barns, particularly Don Judd Stables and Ruth Gimpel Stables, ensured that every class was competitive with many world class contenders.
Next year’s date will return to the traditional Pro-Am weekend, April 2-5, 2003. With the favorable reaction to the wonderful facilities at the fairgrounds, the loyal following behind Pro-Am, and the return to a “non-conflicted” date, one can expect to see a huge turnout for the 2003 version of the show. While many members of ASHAG and UPHA Chapter 17 were strongly opposed to moving from Atlanta’s Henderson’s Arena, the problems with that facility, specifically when affected by rain and weather, forced the two groups to make a tough decision.
The quality of the Georgia National Fairgrounds facility turned out to be the primary reason for the move. Large spacious stalls in an airy covered main barn feature covered walkways to the huge work arena (where many shows are actually held at the fairgrounds) which leads to the large, wide show ring. The roadster horses and ponies in particular appreciated the wide turns and the footing was well received by exhibitors and trainers alike. The facility has 480 stalls under one roof with the capability of using all 1250 stalls by using the adjacent barns as well.
Charlie Byron, show manager, was pleased with the move. "We were really pleased with the turnout, and with the quality of the horses at the show. All of our friends, owners and trainers really supported Pro Am in this year of transition. We were very pleased with the facility and we hope to make it our permanent home. We have already confirmed our April 2-5 dates for next year."
Buck Davis, co-chairman of the show with John Goda, was also pleased with the show. “A lot of people had an emotional attachment to Henderson's Arena - it had been the home of Pro-Am for so long. But once we moved and we saw how well this facility worked for us, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and we had a great horse show."
As one might expect in the deep South, hospitality was everywhere. From coffee and home made goodies in the show office every morning to parties every day, Southern hospitality was on display. ASHAG sponsored the welcome party on Wednesday. The Georgia barns participated in a terrific progressive aisle party following the show on Thursday evening. And Myrt Canady’s world famous southern feast followed the show on Friday evening. Throw in a little Delovely celebration on Friday night to celebrate Todd Miles’ fortieth (yes, that’s 40) birthday and you had food and fun everywhere you looked.
It would be hard to find a more courteous and professional show management staff. Charlie Byron is well-known for his fair and friendly management of any horse show. Beth Snider keeps a show office better than anyone and she actually got to enjoy being at the show with husband Scott who was paddock master and entertainer as well. Abbott Wilson served the judging duties and was ably assisted by the show ring staff.
Doug Shiflet moved with Pro Am this year to Perry. He has shot 24 of the 25 years, and in fact, it was his first professional show. (He started VERY young.) Richfield Video recorded the special victory passes and with vendors like Carl Meyers and Richard’s Jewelry, there was always plenty to admire outside the show ring as well as in.
Both Friday and Saturday night, a demonstration by the Reece Center for the Handicapped entertained the crowd and reminded them of the worthy cause that benefits every year from the show.
The show ended with a bang this year in a Five-Gaited Stake that brought exhibitors to their feet. Anne Judd’s South African mount Studcor Donatello attracted a great deal of attention in the Five-Gaited Open qualifier. Horse and rider made a beautiful team, but the horse’s muscular power was what won the audience over. A roar went up from the crowd when they reentered the ring on Saturday night.
Bob Vesel raised the stakes when he rode Callaway's Banner Headline into the arena for the open stake after being qualified by Janet Kellett in the amateur division.
There were five talented entries in the ring that night, but it was hard to match the enthusiasm when Vesel and Judd headed down the rail side by side. Vesel rode out of his hat and his horse’s momentum seemed to soar from there. The horse’s feet barely touched the ground throughout the victory pass.
The amateur championship was also a terrific class. Ladies winner CF Private Night Out and Janet Kellett and amateur qualifier winner Callaway’s Holy Moly and Rachel Seifert duked it out with five other entries to the delight of the crowd. When it was over Kellett made the tricolor victory pass and Seifert collected the reserve in the championship after repeating her 2001 amateur qualifying win.
Shanna Goodwin and The Magic Hour earned the junior exhibitor championship under the guidance of Marvin Ward. The talented team bested Jessica Anderson and Winterthur who had claimed the junior exhibitor qualifying win.
Hillary Allgood showed off her young horse’s talents in the junior class. Santa Cruz is owned by Andy Allgood of Martinez, Ga.
Connie Hodge owns the three-year-old winner In Your Face, ridden to the winners circle by Brian Reimer. Reimer also directed the novice winner Dartmoor for Mary Alice Gall.
Previous show chairman Clara Krause Flor was in the irons of her Shelby of York to claim the Georgia Owned Five-Gaited Class, besting a field of four.
Only one five-gaited pony was on hand, but the smart little S.S. Kentucky knows how to put on a show. Andres Herrera rode the entry owned by Herrera and Blair Reynolds and trained by Reynolds to both five-gaited pony titles.