Santa Barbara, September 2009
P. Moore

About the Show
It was a fun filled and relaxing six days this year at the annual Fall Classic in Santa Barbara, held by the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association. Three rings of classes, six judges, six shows, and great futurities, many came away arms heavy with prizes, records weightier with more points. Considering the economy, the classes were full and the Pleasure, Trail and Rail styled Quarter Horse show came away still the ever popular on the west coast. And let’s not forget the terrific weather Santa Barbara puts out for our riders every year!

Riders coming as they have for years as far away as Texas and Florida, and every place in between filled the arenas, fighting for the points and trophies and having a great time, seeing old friends and hanging out at a spectacular location!
Show secretary, Darlene Mills, said of the facilities and the history of the show itself, “It’s always a great place to show. The facility has a lot of history to it. Some of the trainers showing now, showed at Santa Barbara as kids. It’s old, close to the beach and restaurants. The competitors like it.”

Chris Hocut handled the prizes and sponsorship this year. “It’s a fabulous old facility in a great part of Santa Barbara,” she says. “Who doesn’t like Santa Barbara?” I think most agree with Chris! She also said of the show, “It’s one of the two main shows PCQHA puts on. The Fall Classic is really geared toward the Pleasure, Trail, and Pattern people. It is definitely a premier event. We want people to have fun. Of the horse show itself, we try to cater to these riders as one of the biggest in California so they can gain points and awards without going out of state and travelling too far.”

An exhibitor, Kendra Luttio says the show crew did a great job of keeping the arenas dragged. Katie Fox says she likes the layout of the facilities. “The stalls are close to the arenas. You don’t have to walk forever to get anywhere.”

Marcie Budine also had great things to say about the show grounds. “It’s very leisurely and enjoyable and always a great venue. They have three rings going, great footing. Sometimes, it’s a little hard to find a warm up ring, but other than that, the arenas were set up fabulous!”

What the Show Offered its Exhibitors this Year

The show this year had loads to offer every exhibitor. Prizes and points galore were handed out. And with the extra activities they had in surprise for the competitors, it was a show worth going to.

The show crew had two dinners which included a fiesta evening, a bbq, sponsored by Merieal Pharmaceuticals, and a suitable wine and cheese party. All the competitors agreed it was great to be able to enjoy these dinners. The classes ended early each evening so all could enjoy having dinner at a reasonable time, being able to go out with friends, and hop down to the beach.

Another great “extra” activity that draws in large crowds is the Versatility Class and the Trainer’s Showmanship class. The Don Pabst Versatility Class is in explanation, a team of one horse and up to two riders, competing in Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Reining, and Barrel Racing. They are not allowed to leave the arena. The riding equipment is hauled into the arena at designated times for a tack change and possibly a rider change. All agree this is a great class to watch. Imagine a Western Pleasure horse trying to speed down the arena for a barrel spin, or a Barrel Horse slowed down for a Hunter Under Saddle class. It is a lighthearted event that everyone agrees should be watched. The winners receive a percentage of the pot. Laurie Pfaff sponsors the class with $500 in her father Don Pabst’s memory and there is a trophy on display each year at the show with the name of the riders, horse, and owner. This class has a historical twist; Laurie Pfaff’s father used to sponsor the class and it has been held for more than 25 years, after the passing of her father in 1983. Mr. Pabst’s believed the American Quarter Horse should be versatile. Don and his wife, Jeri started with their first Quarter Horse in the early fifties and began breeding. Don was also the president of the PCQHA in 1967 and AQHA Director for California.

Another great class and most think it’s the bee’s knees to watch, is the Trainer’s Showmanship. It’s filled with hoots and laughs as the riders cheer on their trainer in some outrageous movements. David Busick took the prize this year coming in as Michael Jackson! What a hoot!

The prizes on offer this year at the show were quality and they were not in short supply. The Circuit award winners took home a comfy sweatshirt, printed with this year’s PCQHA information. It was a special design for this year’s show, partially sponsored by the EMO agency. The sponsorship team has agreed they would like to have this collectable sweatshirt award carried on to next year and thereafter. Lauren Crivelli, Kim Portney and Kendra Luttio were of the few that took home this sweatshirt. They agreed this was a great prize. Other prizes included grooming bags, garment bags, and in some cases the winner was able to choose their own prize. Other sponsor information of important note; the three main sponsors, sponsored an arena; The EMO Agency, Inc., Market Street Marketing, and a Friend of Nancy Trumbold.

The Youth and Novice Youth All Around winners took home an IPod. The youth winners enjoyed this new prize. The All Around winners took home the PCQHA commissioned bronze trophy, a three headed horse, displaying the versatility of the American Quarter Horse, designed and made by Lisa Perry of Texas. She is well known in the Quarter Horse circuit for her bronzes. The trophy has the PCQHA logo on the front. The bronze truly is a work of art and considering each trophy given to the All Around winners were in fact bronze truly shows how much PCQHA values its members.

Lastly, the Fall Classic is held in a month where there are many members that celebrate their birthdays, even during the show. As a tradition, The show brings out a large birthday cake to celebrate the many people who have birthdays during this time. This small but significant touch also penetrates worthiness to the PCQHA members. Feeling valued keeps the exhibitors coming back for more.
Competing against exhibitors from all across the states did not go unmissed with the California competitors. Marcie Budine said she thinks it was great fun to be able to compete against riders from other states. Being able to see how well you perform opposite to riders you’ve never ridden against before is a great benefit and can really push you to strive further.

Exhibitor Kendra Luttio says the Santa Barbara show is one of her favorites. “I always enjoy going back year after year. The dinners and parties are a great idea and bring the show together. You are able to hang with people that are not in your barn. It’s a great social event.” Kendra also said, because of how the show was run, she was able to enjoy more of it. “I went out to dinner with barn mates, was able to watch more of the show, visit with people, talk with trainers. This is our 4th year going to this show. It’s a great place to pick up points. The ladies in the office are awesome, friendly, and always willing to help out.”

Kim Portney had a few things to say about the show as well. “I go to this show every year. I love the location and have a lot of fun. It’s a great show, the awards are fun this year, and they are giving away free prizes, gift certificates. This show was done a bit differently this year. We finished earlier so we could go out in the evening. They added an extra day and I thought it worked out good.” She also enjoyed watching the Trainer’s Showmanship. “It was worth going to the show just to watch the class alone!”

Lauren Crivelli also spoke highly of the show crew. “Chris Hocut and Darlene Mills, they run the show well. The atmosphere was great; everyone was in a good mood. The tri-tip was amazing! It was nice of them to have that for us.”

All seemed to agree, the show ran smoothly. “It went really well,” said Lauren. “It moved smoothly along, no unnecessary delays and the class schedule was great.” Competitor Charlotte Green agreed though said it could get a bit confusing with the three rings. “It was a bit hard, I was wanted in two rings at the same time, but they were able to wait for me, so it worked out just fine.”

Kenra Luttio again had some good words about the running of the show. “I thought it ran even better this year than in years past. The Trail moved along nicely, Western Riding was good, we weren’t there until midnight. We were done early enough to eat at the dinner, which was really nice.”

Winnings

In the 11 and Under category, Alyssa Todora and Ima Blonde Investment took home the championship with Cori Cansdale and RL Skys Big Leaguer taking the reserve.

The reserve championship Amateur All Around went to Emily Hudson and Im One Hot Grand. The Amateur All Around championship was taken home by Kendra Luttio and her gelding Hezan Investment. The 12 year old chestnut she calls Beau and Kendra also took home a couple extra wins; the circuit wins in Novice Amateur Western Riding and Amateur Western Riding. Taking home the bronze trophies and fancy neck ribbon, Kendra said Beau’s main class is Western Riding and will be going to the World this year.

Kim Portney and Watch Me Im Hot came away with the Select All Around Championship as well as the circuit awards for Showmanship, Western Riding, and Horsemanship. This is the 10 year old sorrel’s third season with Kim. “Watch Me Im Hot will be going to the World in Open Trail and Western Riding next month with Kelly Roberts riding. “He is the typical gelding, doesn’t like a lot of attention but just gets his job done. He doesn’t need any preparation at all. I just get on and go,” says Kim. This horse and Kim make a great match. They also made the finals this year at the Select World in Horsemanship.
Brianna Contreras and Currently Blazin took home the reserve All Around Novice Amateur title while the championship went to Marcie Budine and Too Hot For My Socks. She rode the gelding in Horsemanship, Showmanship, Halter, Reining, and Trail. She also took home the Reining circuit championship as Novice Amateur and the reserve circuit championship in Horsemanship and the reserve in the Green Hunter Under Saddle.

In the youth category, Lauren Crivelli took home the championship with Floating On Assets. Along with that win, she also took home the circuit award in Halter, Youth Showmanship, Horsemanship and Hunt Seat Equitation. Lauren bought the mare at last year’s World show from Charlie Cole and Jason Martin of High Point Performance Horses in Texas. She was previously owned by Julia-Dawn Taylor. The mare was a Western Pleasure horse, and then Charlie and Jason started working All Around with her. Lauren and her mare stay fresh for the ring by working with Gary and Kelly Roberts.

Katie Fox and Stealing The Moment took reserve champion All Around. She rode in several classes including Showmanship, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Western Riding, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, and also showed in Halter. Katie also took home the circuit award in Barrel Racing. The brown 11 year old gelding has been with Katie for about one year after she took him home from the Santa Barbara show last year. He was previously owned by Pam Bilek and trained by Kerry McKay. “Hunter Under Saddle is his main event,” says Katie. “This is the first time I’ve showed him in All Around since April.” Katie says the barrel horse is just a rookie. “He was pretty good, it was our first time running and he listened to me. I’d like to thank Kerry McKay for all her help and Jennifer Harris for getting the horse ready.” She says the 10 year old grey mare, Stealing The Moment is really cool. “I’ve had her for 10 months. She is really great for me and gives 100% in all classes. She keeps getting better and is sweet too.”

In the Novice Youth All Around category, the reserve championship went to Carley Ramsey and Zips Zippomatic. The championship went to Charlotte Green and Central Park West. The 9 year old bay mare is by Park A Jet. Charlotte was really happy with the win and the prizes. “They were awesome,” she said.
The Senior Horse went to Harley D Zip, owned by Kristina Papendick. The Junior Horse was Hubba Hubba Huntin, owned by Breanne Porter. The Green Horse championship went to Potential Dooplicity, owned by Kathy Sterling and the reserve went to Too Hot For My Socks, owned by Marcie Budine. And the main finish, High Point English Amateur was Jennifer Potterton riding Iron Star Man. Jennifer took home an English saddle donated by Nancy Keegan. Way to go guys!
All agreed this was a great show, and a great show for new riders to attend. It’s true, the California riders out here welcome new talent to compete against and meet new friends. If this is you, the Fall Classic next year is the show to be at!