Well-dressed riders and their groomed horses lined up under sunny skies last Saturday for the 32nd annual Dixie Stables Spring Horse Show in Allenhurst. According to Dixie Stables owner Lynn Pace, "saddle seat" riders from across southeast Georgia gathered for the event.
Saddle seat is a horseback riding style that falls under the English riding category. It’s designed to show off certain horse breeds’ high trots and animated gaits. The style developed into its modern form in the United States.
Pace said the riders and horses were judged by Steve Allred from Heritage Farm in Winston-Salem, N.C.
"He is looking for the horse to do exactly what the rider says," she said. "He is looking to see they perform all their gaits correctly and be beautiful while he’s doing it."
The show started at 10 a.m. with the performance classes. Pace said the judge evaluates the horses’ show quality, manners and ability. Equitation classes, during which riders were judged on form and abilities, followed. In the afternoon, academy classes gave less experienced riders a chance to shine.
Dixie Stables, which opened in 1972, offers saddle seat riding lessons for participants ages 6 and older. Pace said the opportunity to work with children motivates her to show horses and offer classes.
Dixie Stables Spring
Show results
Pleasure driving, open
First place: Don’t Tell Me, Emily McNair, owner and rider
Second place: Bear-ly There, owned by Lynn Pace, ridden by Bobbie McDonald
ASB western pleasure
First place: We Be Jammin, Nancy Fortner, owner and rider
Saddle type pleasure, non-saddlebred
First place: Syb van de Loekshamhoeve, owned by Lynn Pace, ridden by Samantha Hocking
Green horse, walking and pleasure gait
First place: Supreme Property, Alicia Floyd owner and rider
Second place: Silk’s Annie Sea, owned by Lynn Pace, ridden by Lauren Brown
Green horse, walking, pleasure gait and canter
First place: Supreme Property, Alicia Floyd owner and rider
Second place: Silk’s Annie Sea, owned by Lynn Pace, ridden by Lauren Brown
ASB show pleasure, (amateur, juvenile)
First place: CH My Special Sultan, owned by Christy Parker, ridden by Ashley Brandies
Second place: Sweet Sailing, owned by Lynn Pace, ridden by Lauren Brown
ASB park, juvenile
First place: Callaway’s Sweet Daddy, Ashley Brandies, owner and rider
ASB country pleasure, (amateur, juvenile)
First place: CH Lies and Alibis, Katie Boysen, owner and rider
Second place: China Silk’s Julia, owned by Lynn Pace, ridden by Sandra Sculli
Open English pleasure, walk and pleasure gait 11 and under
First place: Wild Lolita, owned by Carmen Jones, ridden by Lily McNair
ASB pleasure championship (country, show)
First place: York’s Wild Angel, owned by Glenda Watts, ridden Tiffany Smith
Second place: Jaque Rules, owned by Lynn Pace, ridden Samantha Hocking
Saddle seat equitation, walking and pleasure gait 12 and under
First place: Lily McNair
Second place: Isabella Leslie
Saddle seat equitation 14-17
First place: Katie Boysen
Second place: Ashley Brandies
Saddle seat equitation 13 and under
First place: Marie Kingsley
Second place: Mary Doane
Saddle seat equitation, adult amateur
First place: Emily McNair
Second place: Tiffany Smith
Saddle seat equitation, championship
First place: Ashley Brandies (17 and under)
Second place: Bobbie McDonald (17 and under)
Lead line equitation, 8 and under
First place winners: Cope McNair, Isabella Garbutt and Hannah Howell
Academy showmanship, walk, pleasure gait and canter
First place: Aaron Thompson, riding Stat
Second place: Rachel Pace, riding Jaque Rules
Academy equitation, walk, pleasure gait and canter
First place: Rachel Pace
Second place: Aaron Thompson
Academy showmanship, 11 and over
First place: Taylor Smith, riding Summertime Glory
Second place: Erika Warburton, riding Rebel’s Final Feature
Academy equitation, 11 and over
First place: Grace Pyon
Second place: Katie Pitstick
Academy showmanship, 10 and under
First place: Mika Silva, riding Miss Prissy
Second place: Eliza Leapheart Kay, riding Christmas Surprise
Academy equitation, 10 and under
First place: Mikah Silva
Second place: Cheyenne Smith
Academy showmanship, 7 and under
First place: Olivia Rainerio, riding Miss Prissy
Second place: Rebecca Doane, riding Jens
Academy equitation, 7 and under
First place: Presslee Proctor
Second place: Olivia Rainerio
Academy showmanship, novice rider
First place: Abbigail Howell, riding Summertime Glory
Second place: Kaylee Suggs, riding Rebel’s Final Feature
Academy equitation, novice rider
First place: Kaylee Suggs
Second place: Abbigail Howell
Academy equitation, on a lead, 8 and under
First place: Katie Peterson
Second place: Kayleigh Hardee
Bareback equitation
First place: Sandra Sculli
Second place: Bobbie McDonald