March 16 & 17 2001 - Contestants poured into the Calsonic Arena in Shelbyville TN for the first SSHBEA Sport Horse show of the year, Winter Games! The chairman of the event was John Mohon of Covington, TN. John and six committee members put on the two-day event, along with lots of help from Spotted Sport Horse lovers. The two days held 40 classes and 507 entries. Classes were offered in reining, barrels and poles, team penning, shot gunning, obstacles, keyhole racing, turn and burn, jumping, and many more exciting events. Horses and riders came from Florida, California, Missouri, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee to compete to bring home the blue. Many new faces came to try Sport Horse for the first time and went home with a ribbon and smile, now hooked on Sport Horse events. Contestants were not the only ones to come in from other states as Sponsors came in from several states as far away as California. Several Trail rides from TN and other states jumped on the Sponsor wagon.

Winter Games was broken into three parts. Friday evening's events were open classes, whereas Saturday morning was designated mainly for the youth with the exception of the Trail obstacle course. Then Saturday night there were cattle classes for all ages.

Several new challenges were presented to the horse and rider on the obstacle course. A snake pit filled with short pieces of hosepipe was designed to check the horse's sure footedness. A chicken walking round a mailbox added some excitement to the course. The usual favorites were in place, as well, the teeter-totter, narrow bridge, backing L, the three platform boxes, cavellettes, and more. Everyone from the older Sport horses to the yearlings showing in the colt-in-hand class had a challenge and completed the course with skill.

A new timed event, turn and burn, proved to be a huge hit with the adults and juvenile riders. Riders entered the ring, maneuvered a jump, then wove a figure eight around three barrels, then went back over the jump. All of this was performed against the clock. Riders, as young as 6, mastered the new event and turned in super times. The keyhole race is always a favorite, and the entries in this class definitely showed speed and agility running the pattern.

The soggy barrels and poles proved which horses were not only the fastest but also the smoothest. In this class the time and the amount of water left in an eight-ounce glass are combined to determine the winner.

Feeling the wind in their faces, the contestants raced through the barrels and poles with record times. The participants in these two events just keep getting faster and faster as each event has unfolded over the past five years. With so many entries and time concerns, Broom Polo had to be cancelled, but never fear it will be planned for in future shows.

Cattle classes ended the show with a bang. Team penning and shot gunning are always a big draw for contestants and spectators. The calves tested the skill of horses and riders alike. Classes for 11 and under juvenile riders, 12-17 juvenile riders, ladies riders, and open classes were offered. A favorite draw is always the mixed class where one lady or child must be on every team. Teams competed for paybacks and bragging rights in the cattle divisions.

The Fifth Annual Sport Horse Winter Games was definitely a success with 507 entries, happy participants, and tired committee members.

Upcoming events for SSHBEA Sport Horse Division to be looking for include;

April 28 - 10 am.-Trail ride and Games at Lynwood Barrett's farm in Woodbury, TN Cost: $5 - Will include trails for young and advanced riders Poker Ride/ Silent Auction/ Obstacles/ Turn & Burn/ Keyhole Race/ Musical Buckets. Concessions available.

Memorial Day weekend- Sport Horse Event sponsored by the Arkansas Gaited Association/ Camping and stalls available.

July 7 & 8 - Ohio Celebration sponsored by the Ohio Spotted Horse Association Sport Horse classes have been added

Other events to be announced! To learn more about any SSHBEA Sport Horse event contact John Mohon at (901) 476-4030, any Sport Horse committee member or the SSHBEA office in Shelbyville, TN.

Click here to view the results of the Sport Horse Winter Games!