Webster defines extravaganza as an event going beyond the ordinary. That indeed defines the First Annual SSHBEA Extravaganza held at the Calsonic Arena on March 2. 

The committee of Janice Higgins, Krista Smith, Amber Porter, Jamie Parks, and Beth Mohon got the ideas rolling on December 28, 2001. The immediate decision was that all the SSHBEA division would be asked to participate with the host division being the sport horse division. Also decided was that this would be an educational day, a day for everyone no matter the division or age of the horse and rider. With those guide lines in place the hard working ladies of the committee set out to make March 2, 2002 a day for the SSHBEA history book.

All SSHBEA divisions agreed to set up booths to inform and educate everyone about exactly what each division is responsible for in the organization. The Hall of Fame booth, displaying photographs of the winners of this prestigious award over the past several years, looked wonderful. The Hi-Point division gave out applications and advised attendees on how the SSHBEA points are earned for the Hi-point awards named during the Winter Meeting. The amateur committee helped in displaying appropriate western attire for the show ring. The promotional division set up the SSHBEA booth complete with a TV showing the 2001 Fall Championship. The Sport Horse Division set up a booth complete with pictures and scrapbooks for visitors to view. The SSHBEA Youth Council displayed their flag and numerous pictures of members doing what they love most with their horses. Informing visitors on the heritage and sweepstakes classes was the Sweep Stakes Division. The ladies auxiliary handed out several applications in hope of getting new members to join this hard working group of ladies. 

The day started early with the presentation of the colors by the 2001 Hi-Point World Grand Champion Sport Horses. Over all hi-point world champion Silk and Sassy with owner Krista Smith proudly carried the American Flag with the association flag being presented by the gelding champion Rock Back Bill and his talented rider Maranda East. President of the Youth Council Samantha Mohon carried the youth council flag aboard Maranda's second champion Outlawed Whiskey. Also participating in the opening ceremonies was Carley Fetzer aboard Rebel's Cinnamon Twist and Kim McPeak with Prowler's Image. The arena floor was set up in stations for the participants to learn each of the sport horse events. Hard working members of the sport horse committee conducted the training stations. Age groups divided the participants in order to go through the stations with ease. Each group spent thirty minutes at the each of the six stations. Laughter and words of encouragement could be heard, as everyone seemed to really enjoy him or herself after a long winter. 

Seminars started at 9:30 am. The schedule called for a different seminar every thirty minutes until the four o'clock hour. Linda Hill presented an equine law seminar. Horses aches and pains were discussed in the session with Dr. Wooten and Tonya Faulk gave an equine massage. Debbie Brown demonstrated proper tack fitting while Lou Vernon kept everyone's attention in the round pen with a young colt that had not been handled. Instructions on how to best groom a horse for the show ring where given by master groomer Amber Porter. The DQP clinic was well attended and Danny Ray Davis used several horses to show the audience what is and is not expected of horses being presented for the show ring. 

A presentation of SSHBEA 2001 World Champions was held in the afternoon. Barney Davis and the Open Shod Champion Lethal's Delight of Pride thrilled the onlookers with three flawless gaits. Then Barney dismounted and rushed to get on his next champion Bum's Big Time. Barney and this easy going Lite Shod World Grand Champion glided around the ring as flashes from cameras could be seen from several directions. Next entering the ring was the elegant package of Kelly Summers and her beloved Trail Pleasure World Grand Champion Avenger's Lil Tramp. Kelly and Tramp were a favorite with all the admiring young fans. Tramp and Kelly played right into the hands of several young onlookers, letting several take a spin on the good-natured Tramp. Next to perform was the multi-talented Sport Horse World Grand Champion Silk and Sassy and Krista Smith. They entertained the crowd with a walk on the teeter-totter and posed on the stump for pictures. 

Other vendors participating and making this a memorable day for all in attendance were the TN Horse Council, Mitchell Gassaway instructing on proper shoeing, Ray McNatt advising on equine dentistry, and Hoofbeats magazine. The Higgins and the Jernigans found this to be a great time to show off champions from their respective farms. The East TN Association had a very attractive booth, as did the Wrangler Camp at LBL. President of SSHBEA Travis Kelly walked around greeting and answering questions from the crowd. The professional trainers association had a nice booth along with Steppin' Out Tonight's usual attractive booth. A favorite stop for everyone was the Equi Tees. Becky Worthington had designed a shirt just for the occasion and she had a fast paced business going all day. Elegance was in true form in the booth of equine artist Judy Hankins. Judy's work is of masterpiece quality and shows the true beauty of the horses we all love so dearly. Mary Ruth Motes opened her famous red tack truck for those in need of supplies for the upcoming show season. The much talked about Caldaron's Chicago Hotdog restaurant of Shelbyville had a table of menus so everyone could get familiar with the mouth watering dishes they have to offer. 

The day ended with a fun show. Several of the sport horse classes were offered. 148 entries participated in such classes as egg and spoon, musical buckets, keyhole race, turn and burn, and of course the popular barrels and poles. Twinkle Toes, Cowboy Magic, Hoofbeats, Co-op, Caldaron's Chicago Hotdogs, and the sport horse committee donated prizes. Thanks to all that donated prizes and especially all those that donated their time to make this a very memorable day for SSHBEA. 

Plans are already calling for the SSHBEA Extravaganza of 2003 to be even bigger. Don't be left out of the fun and excitement. Make your plans early for next years big affair.