by Patti East
Equitana USA 2001, held in Louisville, KY on June 15-18, was a great success for the Spotted Saddle Horse. The SSHBEA promotional committee, chaired by Peggy Moore, decided to enlist the help of our youth from Kentucky and Tennessee to bring together the Spotted Saddle Horse owners, riders and lovers regardless of their riding discipline. Our youth greeted the crowds and were an excellent source of information and education for everyone interested in the Spotted Saddle Horse. The theme this year was "versatility." The youth wanted to show the crowds just what the Spotted Saddle Horse could do whether they were on the trail or on the rail.
Starting out the demonstration from Thompson Station, Tennessee was the black and white World Champion Juvenile Model Mare Hy-Tone Dazzle owned and exhibited by Jordan Shields and the beautiful bay and white mare Design by Dancer owned and exhibited by Morgan Shields. This duo wowed the crowds! The girls displayed reining patterns and sport horse events such as jumping and stump climbing. Morgan and Jordan gave true meaning to the SSHBEA motto "spots on the trail, spots on the rail."
Adding to the versatility theme was the ever popular, multi World Grand Champion Sport Horse, Outlawed Whiskey owned by John Boudoucies of Nashville, Tennessee. Outlaw is a 9-year-old black and white gelding. Maranda East of Nicholasville, KY exhibited Outlaw. Maranda and Outlaw are the 2000 World Champion Juvenile 12-17 Sport Horse and the 2000 World Champion Juvenile Equitation team. Maranda and Outlaw showed the crowds why they are world champions exhibiting their jumping agility and speed abilities. After which they demonstrated the perfect canter.
Contributing grace and style was the dazzling black and white 9-year-old Silver Supreme Champion, Domino Dolly. Allison Smothers exhibited Dolly. The Smothers family of Nicholasville, KY owns her. Allison and Dolly performed gaits flawlessly under Allison's direction. Dolly is the "ultimate" Family Horse.
Rounding out the demonstration was the striking sorrel and white 5-year-old gelding Paint's Rocket Star shown by Emily Matuszak of Nicholasville, KY. Debbie Smothers owns Star. Emily and Star have master equitation patterns. Emily and Star made the perfect team. The audience's young and old alike loved the presentation of the Spotted Saddle Horse. Their beauty did not only dazzle them but also by their versatility and disposition.
The girls stayed busy manning the booth and answering questions from the passing crowds concerning upcoming events, registration and membership information. The girls also enjoyed their social time together enjoying a pizza party, swimming in the hotel pool and visiting a nearby Olive Garden for a night on the town.
Each of the riders would like to thank the promotional committee for allowing them to be a part of Equitana USA 2001 by representing the SSHBEA organization and the breed. Special thanks to Freda Bullard and Lori Young for their help in organizing the event. Also to Jim and Mary Ann Dobson, Ron and Debbie Smothers, Anna Smothers, and Kim Shields for setting up, manning, and tearing down the booth. These people are true lovers of the breed and are dedicated in the promotion of the SSHBEA organization.