Place: Georgia International Horse Park, Conyers, GA
Date: May 9, 1998

This is my report as posted to the Haynet May 10, 1998

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Wow! What a great show! First of all, I have to say thank you to Barry Owens for putting on the Tour Stop and to Elaine Sulser for putting on a huge show. There were over 50 entrants.

Things started off Friday night with a pizza party at Elaine's house. About 10 people showed up for an evening of chatting horses and seeing foals. Elaine's neighbor has a mare and foal that we walked over to see. I want to take him home--he was a chestnut paint with lots of leg chrome and a wide blaze. It was great finally getting to meet Kitty Anderson after chatting with her for several years. Paula and David Hecker showed up with little (er...getting big) Jessica and Anthea Smith. Sylvia had her Aussie, Peaches. Peaches was bopping around the house trying to get attention and waiting for someone to drop some pizza so she could have an illegal treat. Sylvia did an impromtu demonstration in obedience for us by having Peaches sit, stay, and come forward. (OK Sylvia, how did the dog show go Sunday?). Kim Bjorgo and Sherry and Greg Ball were also there.....hmmm...did I forget anyone? My mind is still in a fog.

Sat. morning I was awake at about 4:45. I couldn't sleep despite a comfy bed. Show morning jitters does that to me. Elaine awoke shortly after that, and we were ready by the time everyone else got out of bed. Elaine went to get the bagels while the rest of the crew got ready. I cut several dozen bagels into hundreds of pieces. At southern shows we get fed well. After a brief stop for coffee and caffeine, we were off to the show. People came by the dozens about 7:30. The show took up two halls of the barn--youth in one and open in the other. To avoid confusion, Elaine had assigned tables, making sure that everyone was near their buddies. For a show of this size, I think it worked well. I didn't pay much attention to the early classes, which were all performance. I browsed through the vendor's area. There were several people selling vintage models as well as new ones. I picked up a Blackberry Frost. The dappling on these guys varied from almost none to very wild. Mine is right in the middle. I passed on several show ponies. I can't find one that I like :( I also picked up the new Quicksilver HR Mini TB. What a beauty! Anyone know who sculpted him? I got my first glance of the new Morgan family and was not that impressed. They were a bit blobby and very flat brown. Later in the day, the Quicksilver won several ribbons in halter. After perforance, I saw Laura Behning, Meighan Daly, and Stephanie Annee with several championships each.

Halter was next. Except for one china, I was doing OF Plastic Halter. In the first class, Arabians, I saw Theresa's jaw drop at several lovely PAS's. A nice black point got second. The Morgan class had several nice old Stretch Morgans as well as a host of Mirabellas. After never seeing another JCP SR TWH in the gaited classes at a live show, half a dozen or so were at the GA show. I believe one placed in the top 10. Of all the horses I thought of mine least likely to place my Trakehner stallion, Accounted For, came through and won the TB/WB class and the Light Breed Championship. The judge gave me several nice compliments on him. I told her I blamed it all on Tina Ferro :) :) (Tina sold the horse to a hobby shop, I bought the horse from the hobby shop several years ago, and found out later that it was Tina's) I didn't pay much attention to the Stock Horse classes. I had several drafters place, including my Major-Starlite Major Payne (as in Payne in the ***) and my 70's Dapple Grey Shire Mare, Starlite Rare Day. There were so many lovely Belgians; I don't know where they all came from. All of my ponies placed, which I was very happy about. I remember seeing a gorgeous chestnut CWP get first or second. Since there was time left over, the finish classes took place. My SR Black Hackney took first in the SR class, finally getting her qualified for NAN next year. YEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!! She was the one horse that I really wanted qualified, and she beat out two Pal. LP Judge's models. Now Exceptional can stay at home til NAN 99 and look pretty on my shelf. The Test Run class was a drool fest. Tina's Crunch N Munch gives me the chills everytime I see her. She is the Grazing Mare in gorgeous shaded palomino. Drool. I think Paula Hecker's lovely QH Yearling took first. Tina has been drooling over the QH Yearling for a long time. Paula played a joke :) :) :) and told Tina she could have him. Everyone had a good laugh. :) :) There were a good number of Other Plastics that made the class. I got my first glimpse of the Sarah PS Drafter. The paint jobs on them were lovely. Sherry Tuvall's husband tried to show a very blue horse, but he didn't place. Hmmm...I think it might have been those eyes LOL!

Overall OF Plastic Grand was a nice Glossy Bay Fighting Stallion and Reserve was a Glossy Appy Fighting Stallion (mopping up my drool). I can't remember the owners. I think the Overall China Champion was Meighan's Pour Horse Knut.

The lunch was catered by the GA International Horse Park; it was sandwiches on a croissant with chips, cookie, and drink. I can't comment too much on the sandwiches, but the cookies and tea were great. Stephanie M. gave a short talk. Trying to get up my gusto, I asked her what happened to the LP mold. Once again, she said that it was "retired" like the Shire Mare, and that we should expect to see it return in a few years. I wonder if this means the mold is still intact or if they are going to retool it if it was ever made into the Ideal QH??? There are going to be 3 new SM's released in 1999 in addition to the ones scheduled to be released in the next few months, a Morgan, Paso Fino, and a STB. I didn't get a look at them :( !!HOLD onto your HATS!! There is also a new Arabian mold in the works. She didn't give a release date for him. Anyone catch the date? They are also thinking of doing a miniature horse and a new zebra. After the Western Performance Series, they will be doing an English Performance Series. No word on what those horses will be. For the final W. Perf. horse, they are thinking of a bronco or a Western Pleasure horse. We also got a good look at the Rejoice resin. WOW! What a nice horse. Sommer has done a great job. Everyone had good comments on it, and with just a little remaking, it could be shown as an Arabian. Supposedly in 99, it will be part of the regular line. The sliding horse was also there. Not a big fan of western horses, I will leave comments about that to others. He is a nice color, if not a bit flat. Of course, things change with the plastic production.

Lesli Kathman enjoying fresh strawberries in between judging class in the CM Division


Trish Albert and Accounted For, OF Plastic Light Breeds Halter Champion


Barry Owens introducing Stephanie M.


An entry in the Other English Performance class.


Hillcock Showson, Champion Morgan Stallion


Rejoice, 1998 Breyerfest Horse. Look for the mold with another color in the regular 1999 Breyer line


Rejoice's other side


Mid Year Debut, Sliding Horse in Buckskin


1998 Stablemates