Tough Guys – and Gals – Do Wear Pink

Everywhere you looked at Roberts Arena in Wilmington, Ohio, September 19-21, there were shades of pink. It was the first clue that this was not your everyday horse show. The eighth annual Tough Enough To Wear Pink show offered a class for everyone, including a “Trainer Challenge” that encouraged trainers to show off their best shades of pink. The show is a fundraiser for the Stephanie Spielman Fund for Patient Assistance Fund. The National Snaffle Bit Association is a sponsor of the show.

Seven intrepid trainers and individuals rose to the challenge for the second annual Trainers Challenge, which began as an impromptu fundraiser organized by Ty Hornick at the 2013 show. Guest judges Robin Schoeller, NRHA trainer, and Beth Himes, president of the National Reining Horse Association, had their hands full judging characters that included Denny Mulford’s drive to “kick cancer,” an Amish Angel (Melvin Yoder), a mean Bad Boy mower-driving grandpa (Chip Jackson) and decked out entries by Brent Garringer, Jess Haines, Troy Prime and Brigham Turner.

In the end, Chip Jackson, who is one of the organizers of the annual event, won the contest after execution of flawless 360’s – some with no hands – on the Bad Boy mower. He is pictured at left. The Trainer Challenge also included a Calcutta auction that raised $1,800. The proceeds were presented to long-time horse show secretary and Tough Enough to Wear Pink “bling hat accessorizor” Kay Haines.

Through 2013, the Tough Enough To Wear Pink horse show had raised more than $215,000 for cancer research and patient assistance. “Coming into the show we were already up in stalls from last year,” said Chip Jackson. “We love that everyone is so supportive of this show each year.”

The horse show began on Friday, September 19, with Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, Longe Line and Barrel Racing classes. On Saturday, exhibitors competed in Halter, Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle and Hunt Seat Equitation, as well as a Versatility class prior to four signature classes in Non-Pro and Open Hunter Under Saddle and Non-Pro and Open Western Pleasure.

Sunday saw Horsemanship and Western Pleasure classes as well as the Cancer Survivors Walk Trot and the Loni Grice Memorial Walk Trot, as well as Heather and Stephanie’s Pink Egg and Spoon class. The show paid out more than $12,000 in added money.

Four NSBA bronze trophies were presented during the JD Equipment $5,000 Fall Classic on Saturday evening. Rocked N Red brought home two trophies and the largest paychecks of the night for owner Audrey Baker. The gelding by HH Redrock was raised by the Baker family and piloted by Audrey Baker to win the $1,000 Non-Pro Western Pleasure and by Karen Hornick to win the $2,000 Open Western Pleasure class. They are pictured at right. Baker also added to the pair’s awards by winning the NSBA plaque in Novice Youth Horsemanship, Open Western Pleasure and Youth Western Pleasure 14-18.

“He’s always got to be doing something,” said Baker. “And he loves attention. He’ll take attention even over eating.”

“He’s one of those horses that is easy to prepare,” added Hornick. “You don’t have to put him together – he just comes out loping. He gives you a great top line, and once you see that, you know everything else is in place. And he has a ton of personality.”

To read the full article on NSBA.com, click here.