2016
Story and photos by Lesley Blain
T
he Ohio Buckeye Sweepstakes is known for drawing a crowd of superior horses to Columbus, Ohio, during Memorial Day weekend. This year the turnout was no exception, as it brought exhibitors from the upper Northeast, down to Georgia, and the borders of the Mississippi River. It is the largest Class A Arabian horse show behind Scottsdale, and it ran for the 53rd time this year, with four judges from this year’s U.S. Nationals panel brought in to evaluate the event. Aside from its Arabian classes, there are many offered for National Show Horse and Show Horse Alliance entries as well. Show manager Cindy Clinton shares that they tried to accommodate all who came to the show to compete by allowing riders the chance to enter ‘To Be Announced’ (TBA) classes, if their desired class was not on the show bill. In particular, Clinton marveled at the amount of youth riders that attended the show. “We are excited to watch the younger age divisions make a comeback, and we will do everything we can as a show to promote and grow their classes. They are the future!” Friday night the barn aisles were lined with exhibitors attending the Progressive Barn Party. People socialized before the evening session over specialty cupcakes, pizza, Cortese’s famous sausage and peppers, and more. The event was complete with a bounce house and basketball entertainment for kids. The Buckeye show constantly strives to look for ways to make the show enjoyable for everyone, while incorporating new classes. New in 2015, the Arabian English Performance Association (AEPA) added Arabian Country Pleasure Maturity for amateur owners, sponsored by Strawberry Banks Farm.
Ar abian Horse Times | 118 | Volume 47, No. 2