Stormy Start Doesn’t Stop Exhibitors at Madness Show in Wilmington

A stormy, rainy spring day couldn’t stop exhibitors from competing during the first day of the Madness AQHA and NSBA show at Roberts Arena in Wilmington, Ohio on Thursday.

“We put up 710 stalls, and they’re all full,” said Judd Paul, president of the Southern Ohio Quarter Horse Association, which hosts the show. Exhibitors packed every available camping spot at Roberts Arena and latecomers were directed to nearby Cowan Lake State Park.

“We are about 1,400 entries per judge today,” added Kathy Avolt, announcer with Mark Harrell Horse Shows, which is managing the six-judge AQHA and two-judge NSBA split-combined show.

The Madness brought the first opportunity for AQHA and NSBA exhibitors to see and compete in the newly constructed 625 x 130 foot arena, which was added at Roberts Arena over the winter. The new arena was large enough to split into two pens with a common make-up area between, which allowed Western Riding, Ranch Horse Pleasure, Reining and Horsemanship classes to be shown simultaneously throughout the afternoon on Thursday.

Mainwaring Named $1,000 Non-Pro Horsemanship Winner

Marley Mainwaring rode HF Tawney Too to win the largest money NSBA class of the day, the NSBA $1,000 added Non-Pro Horsemanship. The pair earned an NSBA bronze trophy as well as a pair of wireless Beats headphones for the win. “We had a pretty good pattern,” said Mainwaring.

“We’ve been showing together for about a year and a half. We’re working to get qualified for the AQHYA World Championship Show in Trail and Horsemanship, and my goals are to do well at the World Show and win at the Congress.” Mainwaring is showing her first year in the 14-18 age group.

When describing her show partner, Mainwaring said: “Tawney is sweet, but she gets  what she wants. I guess you could say she’s spoiled.”

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