The Mid States Summer Series concluded on Sunday June 17, 2018 when the last round of the two weeks finished up in the 2’9″ Non-Pro Hunter Classic. After that, the North Iowa Events Center, that was bustling with activity from the two weeks before that moment, became quieter and quieter as the exhibitors gathered their things, packed their trailers, and headed off to their next destination. It was fun filled 2 weeks with good competition, great horses, and even better friends! Mother Nature displayed her ability to rapidly change her mood, as we experienced the gambit of weather. From beautiful sunny skies and moderate temperatures on schooling day of the first week, to jacket weather, then on to massive amounts of rain, a tornado warning, and flooding, and then back to abundant amounts of sunshine…leading to the 3 concluding days reaching temperatures in the lower 90′s. Yet, we hardy horse show attendees push on through nature’s challenges and we had a fantastic time anyway! After the majority of the horses and people had left, and much of the fences, tents, office, and equipment had been put away, it started raining…again. The downpour was brief, and quite refreshing actually as the temperature dropped to a more comfortable range, and afterwards mother nature left an exclamation point on the two weeks with a complete double rainbow:
Here is a look back on the final week of competition. For the Spring Show recap, please CLICK HERE.
MID STATES SUMMER SHOW
June 13-17, 2018
The Mid States Summer horse show took place at the North Iowa Events Center in Mason City, IA on June 13-17, 2018. There were no tornadoes or floods this week, but the temperatures were hot! And, so was the competition.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER OF THE $5,000 POISE AND BRILLIANCE HUNTER CLASSIC
Emily Bell and “Kije’s Fancy”
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER OF THE $20,000 MID STATES SUMMER GRAND PRIX
Tracy Grandstrand and “Fair Enough”
Tracy and “Leroy” had an amazing two weeks. They were the victors in the Spring show Welcome Stake, as well as the $10,000 Mid States Jumper Classic during the Spring show. Their hot streak continued into week 2! Tracy came 2nd only to Ashley Woodhouse-Slade and her “Finnley” in what turned out to be an electrifying Welcome Stake:
NOTE: The show went on lightning delay as soon as this round was completed.
Then Tracy and “Fair Enough” returned to the ring as the 2nd to last competitor in the $20,000 Mid States Grand Prix and laid down a very smooth and organized clear round over the track set by course designer Michael Pegg. The pair were the first to go clean in the class of 11 competitors. The last to go in the competition were the formidable team of Michael Burnett and “Iron”. Michael laid down a very solid effort and were on the way to guarantee a jump off, when a minor mistake at the final combination caused them the back rail of the oxer-vertical combination and then a 2nd rail coming out on the vertical. And just like that, Tracy was crowned the WINNER for 2 weeks in a row! CONGRATULATIONS TRACY!!
Another exciting thing during the Grand Prix was the unveiling of the brand new Connaway & Associates jump!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER OF THE $500 WRIGHT RUN FARMS ADULT HUNTER CLASSIC
Kim Leslie and “Snow Day”
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EQUINE EXCHANGE CHAMPIONS FROM BOTH WEEKS
Week 1 Equine Exchange 3′ Green Hunter Champion (left): Stephanie Peterson and “Justified”
Week 2 Equine Exchange 3’3″/3’6″ Junior Hunter Champion (right): Emily Bell and “Kije’s Fancy”
In addition to all the competitive action, we also had some educational opportunities as well! Thanks in large part to the MHJA, we hosted an “Ask the Judge” question and answer session and ice cream social following the $5,000 UEE Poise and Brilliance Hunter Classic on Friday. This was also used as a platform to promote the Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant test that the MHJA and Mid States Horse Shows were hosting for the Juniors in our Zone. The Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant consists of a horsemanship test for 4 age groups. The winner of each age group would be awarded a $100 grant to help support the equine education. Typically this is set up for pony riders, but our Zone was granted special permission to open the test up to all juniors. In all there were 38 participants that took the exam.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE EMERSON BURR HORSEMANSHIP GRANT
Madeline Lewis (Trainer – Alex McKay) – 8 years old and younger.
Bella Castro (Trainer – Jane Martinson) – 9-11 years old.
Quinn Lee O’Halloran (Trainer – Alex McKay) – 12-14 years old.
Grace Griffin (Trainer – Bill Nunn) – 15-17 years old.
All in all, it was a fantastic two weeks of showing at the North Iowa Events Center in Mason City, IA. A HUGE THANK YOU to all our exhibitors, trainers, parents, volunteers, staff, and sponsors! It is no small feat to make these shows what they are, and everyone plays a very significant role. Thank you again for joining us and making the Mid States Horse Shows Summer Series a raging success!!
Join us again in the Fall for the remaining shows on our schedule.
September 12-16, 2018 – Mid States Fall Show
September 19-23, 2018 – Mid States Season Finale
Thank you again to our sponsors!
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