Spring Horse Show Kicks Off 2018 Buckle Series

Harm and Tulleys Event Center held their first horse show of the year, Saturday April 21, 2018 with a GREAT turn out for an over casted gloomy day. The show was the first of three open horse shows for the 2018 Buckle Series where 3 Trophy Belt Buckles will be awarded to 3 individuals, one in each age division; 10 and Under, 11-15, and 16 and Over. The sponsors for the Trophy Belt Buckles are Central Valley Ag, Josie Ketelsen of Norfolk, and Somer Klein Richards of Norfolk. Without their sponsorship, we would not be able to have the Montana Silversmith Trophy Buckles to award! The show hosted over 25 exhibitors from across Nebraska and Iowa. We had trailers pull in from local communities as well as trucks that put miles on from Cedar Bluffs and Shelby to Atkinson and Westfield Iowa.

With 33 classes on the show bill, we ended the day with over 165 entries which made it a full day for our Judge, Brandon Essink from Syracuse. The Trophy Belt Buckles will be awarded at the end of the June 9, 2018 show. The buckles will go to the individual in each age division with the highest cumulative points from all three shows, April 21, May 26, and June 9. Each class an exhibitor shows in, they will receive one point. If they place in the class, they will get additional points. Along with points being earned, at our May 26 and June 9th shows, exhibitors will be able to earn payback money if they place in classes. Harm and Tulleys will award 50% payback to the top 5 placings in all classes in the May 26th show, and will pay back most classes for the June 9th show. Also a feature during our June 9th show will be the District Challenge Class, open to any 4-H members planning to compete at a Nebraska 4-H District Horse Show in the weeks following the show.

May 26 will be the next open horse show being hosted at Harm and Tulleys Event Center. The show will start at 9am with Chantel Sempek as the judge. Chantel Sempek has been riding and showing horses from a very young age. She has competed in western, English, and speed events. Later she focused more on reining and competed at local and state CPRHA and AQHA shows. Chantel also began judging at a young age, competing at the Pitzer Judging Competition and Nebraska State 4-H Horse Show in both Hippology and Judging throughout her 4-H career. She continued competing at a collegiate level at the University of Nebraska Lincoln for several years. Now Chantel focuses on judging local shows, barrel racing, is a Hippology coach, and is a co-leader of a 4-H group in Columbus, NE.

Classes will include English performance classes, Showmanship, Western performance classes, Novice Rider Walk-Trot, and speed events. The show is open to riders of all ages and there will be a concession stand with a full lunch and snack menu. Exhibitors will continue to earn points toward the Trophy Belt Buckles.

​Respectfully Submitted by Kate DeHaan.