Dallas Harvest Named Presenting Horse Show for the South Central Region Year-End WCHR Awards

Tyler, TX – October 15, 2009 – Southbound Show Management and The Dallas Harvest Horse Show are pleased to announce that they have been selected as the presenting horse show for the South Central Region Year-End World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Awards.  Held October 28 – November 1, 2009, the Dallas Harvest Horse Show is held at the beautiful Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, TX, and benefits Habitat for Horses, one of the largest equine protection organizations in the country.
 
The Dallas Harvest Horse Show is sanctioned and recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation, rated ‘AA’ in hunters and three star in jumpers. The show is also ‘A’ rated through its affiliation with the Texas Hunter Jumper Association.  The feature hunter events for the week include the $10,000 2009/2010 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby as well as the presentation of the 2009 South Central Region Year-End WCHR Awards.
 
The World Championship Hunter Rider awards have always been the pivotal awards program of the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF). These awards are presented, on both a national and regional level, to Pony, Junior, Amateur, Professional, Adult and Children’s riders who accumulate the most points at WCHR designated horse shows throughout the year. Regional awards are supported and presented by area members for local year-end ceremonies, and this year Southbound Show Management and the Dallas Harvest Horse Show have received the presenting honor.
 
One of the most prestigious shows in Texas, the Dallas Harvest Horse Show brings some of the top names in hunters and jumpers from around the South Central region and beyond.  Two such names that landed at the top of the WCHR Regional awards standings this year were professional Courtney Calcagnini and her student Taylor Reid.
 
Courtney Calcagnini trains out of CSC Farm in Pilot Point, TX, and has been showing at the Dallas Harvest Horse Show since it’s beginning. Calcagnini was born and raised in Dallas and grew up riding with well-known local trainers Mike McCormick and Tracy Fenney. From there, Calcagnini became a working student for Colleen McQuay and then went on to become a professional rider and trainer, working for McQuay for several years before starting her own business two years ago.
 
Calcagnini has had an excellent year with her business, earning the top standing for the South Central Region WCHR Professional Awards, and also placing in the top twelve at the prestigious 2008/2009 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals and earning multiple championship awards in the Regular Working Hunters with a talented horse named Curtain Call, owned by Shannon Reid.  Calcagnini plans to compete with Curtain Call, and two other horses owned by Reid, in the $10,000 2009/2010 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby that will be held at the Dallas Harvest Horse Show.  She will also be bringing her students, along with Reid’s daughter Taylor, to compete in the hunters, jumpers and equitation.  Taylor Reid also rode Curtain Call throughout the year, showing the horse in the Children’s Hunters, and achieved her goal of earning the top call in the Children’s WCHR Regional Awards for the 2009 season.
 
“I am very excited to be able to take all of the kids that ride with me to the Dallas Harvest show and we are really excited that it was chosen to host the Regional WCHR awards because it is one of the best shows in Texas,” Calcagnini stated. “Patrick (Rhodes) does an awesome job with everything and it is a really special show. They have great courses and the management is superb. They do a great job with the sponsors and prizes. The grand prix has always been fun, the parties are great, and we are very excited to do the hunter derby this year.”
 
It was Taylor Reid’s main goal to win the WCHR award this year after she began training with Calcagnini a year and a half ago, and she was excited to get the chance to compete at the Capital Challenge Horse Show because of her place in the standings.  Now Reid is looking forward to being presented with the award in front of family and friends in Texas.
 
“It was really amazing to be able to go and show at Capital Challenge this year and it was wonderful to complete my goal,” Reid smiled. “It was a wonderful treat to get to ride Curtain Call throughout the year and it was very exciting to watch him do so well at the hunter derby finals. He is pretty easy; you just kick him in the belly and go. He is tons of fun and he is very sweet.”

Reid has now set her sights on doing well at the Dallas Harvest Horse Show and moving up in the divisions as her riding improves. “My other goals are to do the grand prix classes and hunter derbies eventually,” she stated. “Right now I am hoping to move up from the Children’s and do the Junior Hunters at Dallas Harvest.”
 
“That show is a really good experience because it is run really well and the courses are a lot of fun in the jumpers and in the hunters,” Reid added. “They try hard to make it a good show and they do a really good job. I am excited to watch the hunter derby this year because we are going to have three horses in it.”
 
The 2009 Dallas Harvest Horse Show competition highlights include Thursday’s $3,000 Nordic Lights Welcome Stake; Friday’s $5,000 Jumper Classic and $10,000 2009/2010 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby beginning at 4:00 p.m.; Saturday’s Halloween Spooktacular featuring Horse & Rider Costume Contest & Parade, Spookiest Barn Contest & Trick or Treat Extravaganza, Habitat Horse Decorating Contest & Parade; and Sunday’s EMO Equitation Cup Year-End Final, $25,000 Harvest Grand Prix benefiting Habitat for Horses, and $2,500 Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic.
 
Tables and tickets for the Hunter Derby Reception are available. Tables of eight for the hunter derby reception are available at $500 per table for priority front row seating or at $400 per table. Tickets for the hunter derby reception are available at $50 each and elevated tickets are available at only $20 per ticket. Seating is limited. Anyone interested can include a separate check with their entries, payable to Southbound Show Management, and send to Southbound Show Management, 785 W. Jester Rd., Argyle, TX 76226.
 
For more information on the Dallas Harvest Horse Show please visit www.southboundshows.com.
 
For more information on Habitat for Horse, please visit www.habitatforhorses.org.

Courtney Calcagnini and Curtain Call

 

Photo Credit: Courtney Calcagnini and Curtain Call competing at the 2009 Capital Challenge Horse Show. Photo C 2009 Jennifer Wood/PMG. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.

2009 Dallas Harvest Horse Show Fast Facts

EVENT: Dallas Harvest Horse Show, with classes that benefit Habitat for Horses

WHAT: The most prestigious ‘AA’ rated horse show in Texas. Sanctioned and recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation, Rated ‘AA’ in hunters and three star in jumpers; Texas Hunter Jumper Association ‘A’ Rated. Judges:Linda Andrisani, Rob Bielefeld, Carl Hansen, Mike Lowry, and Lewis Pack.

WHERE: Texas Rose Horse Park; 14078 South Highway 110 North, Tyler, Texas 75704

WHEN: October 28 – November 1, 2009

HIGHLIGHTS: The Dallas Harvest Horse Show benefits Habitat for Horses, and is one of the largest fundraisers for the program.

THURSDAY: $3,000 Welcome Stake Sponsored by Nordic Lights Farm & The Bruheim Family

FRIDAY: $5,000 Jumper Classic $10,000 2009/2010 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby (4:00 p.m.)

SATURDAY: Halloween Spooktacular featuring: Horse & Rider Costume Contest & Parade, Spookiest Barn Contest & Trick or Treat Extravaganza, Habitat Horse Decorating Contest & Parade “Team” Calcutta, Exhibitor Dinner & Silent Auction Benefiting Habitat for Horses (6:30 p.m.)

SUNDAY: EMO Equitation Cup Year-End Final $25,000 Harvest Grand Prix benefiting Habitat for Horses $2,500 Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic

Dallas Harvest Horse Show is known for its great hospitality, friendly ambiance and top competition. In addition to great classes there will be many exhibitor parties, including the Hunter Derby Benefit Reception, Saturday Evening Dinner & “Team Calcutta”, Sunday Grand Prix Brunch, a silent auction and a chance to get “up close and personal” with a special group of Habitat Horses. Southbound Show Management and The Dallas Harvest Horse Show have also been selected as the presenting horse show for the 2009 South Central Region Year End World Champion Hunter Rider Awards.

ADMISSION: Free for spectators.

PARKING: Convenient on site parking.

VIP SEATING: Tables and tickets for the Hunter Derby Reception are available. Tables of eight for the hunter derby reception are available at $500 per table for priority front row seating or at $400 per table. Tickets for the hunter derby reception are available at $50 each and elevated tickets are available at only $20 per ticket. Seating is limited. You can include a separate check with your entries, payable to Southbound Show Management, and send to Southbound Show Management, 785 W. Jester Rd., Argyle, TX 76226.

DIRECTIONS: From the east (Shreveport area) take the I-20 west to the Van/Tyler, Highway 110 (exit #548). Turn left/south. Go approximately one mile. The equestrian center is on the left.

>From the west (Dallas area) take the I-20 east to the Van/Tyler, Highway 110 (exit #548). Turn left/south. Go approximately one mile. The equestrian center is on the left.

>From the South (Houston area) take US 287 north to TX-155 towards Tyler. At FM-2661 turn left. Turn left onto TX-64, right on to CR-413, then left at FM-724. Follow FM-724 to CR-42 and turn right. At TX-110 turn left. The equestrian center is on the right.

>From the south (San Antonio area) take I-35 north to US-84, turn right. Follow US-84 to TX-31, turn right. At FM-314 take a left, then right on to FM-279, then left on to FM-314, then right on to CR-4906. At CR-4907 turn left to a turn right on to CR-4908 (This road turns into CR-426). At CR-422 take a right, then right on to FM-1955 and right on to TX-110. The equestrian center is on the right.

THE CHARITY: The Dallas Harvest Horse Show is a very active supporter and contributor to Habitat for Horses. This charity has been in operation for the past 11 years. Habitat for Horses is an instrumental organization that saves distressed horses and provides a safe and secure home while rehabilitating them for adoption. Habitat for Horses is the largest equine protection organization in the country.

Habitat works hand-in-hand with law enforcement to uphold all animal cruelty laws and seek justice for those who mistreat horses. Through the wonderful employees and volunteers of the organization, Habitat for Horses has created and implemented educational outreach programs. Their facility creates a sanctuary for horses that are available for adoption, foster, and retirement.

Habitat is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and well-being of all horses. Without the help of the public, this program would not continue. Donations and volunteers help keep Habitat for Horses in operation. For more information, please contact Habitat for Horses at 1-866-434-5737.