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Behind the Saddlebred Scenes Horse Show Spotlight: The Silicon Valley Horse Show

This past #SaddlebredSaturday the ASHA took a virtual visit to the Silicon Valley Horse Show. This one of a kind show took over the ASHA Instagram for the day and gave us a Behind the Saddlebred Scenes perspective of planning, attending, and enjoying a horse show with COVID-19 protocols in 2020! We thank co-chairs Helen Roy and Lexie Saine for helping make this takeover possible. We enjoyed hearing about their experiences and how the ASHA Star Show Grant helped promote academy entries at the show!

Silicon Valley Horse Show Interview with Helen Roy and Lexie Saine

“It took weeks of uncertainty and rescheduling and waiting, but we finally had the first West Coast horse show since March! We worked closely with Fairgrounds officials and local officials to ensure that we put on a safe and compliant show and still kept it fun and entertaining for our exhibitors. Due to the quarantine, we faced some challenges with finding several new officials, but everyone who was asked jumped in with enthusiasm and did an amazing job officiating the show. We followed USEF guidelines and recommendations, completed the WHO Risk Assessment, and adhered to local ordinances to ensure everyone's safety. We utilized masks, social distancing protocols, sanitizing stations, and reminders of frequent hand washing to keep everyone safe.  Despite all these "restrictions”, everyone had a great time.

The number of barns attending was smaller than we would normally expect, but all of those who were there brought their top stock including many current World Champions in every division. Everyone - trainers, exhibitors, owners - were itching to get back in the ring and show off the hard work they'd put in over the quarantine break. We were thanked over and over during the weekend for persevering and not giving up on the show. It was such a dose of normalcy that everyone had been missing for these many months. They were also anxious to get out of their houses and get to a show. While some were initially a bit nervous, once they saw the protocols we had in place, and how they were still able to have fun, any apprehension quickly wore off. Although we didn't hold any parties on or off site, we provided hospitality for the Saturday afternoon classes at the socially distant placed sponsor tables which led to a lot of fun and socializing in the individual barn aisles. 

The show had wonderful weather, a fantastic location at the Pleasanton Equestrian Center, great prizes with thousands of dollars awarded in prizes and giveaways, incredible camaraderie, support and enthusiasm from participants, and top-notch officials. We could not have put the show on without the incredible management skills of Kent Moeller, the calm presence of Lori Nelson in the show office, the steady handling of the ring by Sean Cassidy, the charming voice of Peyton Hamilton as the announcer, the incredible photography skills of Howard Schatzberg and finally the fair and even presence of David Rand as the center ring judge. We are so grateful to these individuals, several of whom jumped in at the last minute to fill unexpected vacant spots, for helping us put on an incredible show.

We were happy to provide a "horse show bubble" for the weekend and we know that everyone who was there was very appreciative of the time and effort that went into getting the show off the ground. Every single person on the grounds said they will be back next year and plan on bringing even more horses!” – Helen Roy Co-Chair of The Silicon Valley Horse Show

ASHA Welcomes Back Horse Show Saddlebred Smiles 

#ASBDreams on display at horse shows across the country this past week! Thanks to National Horseman, Saddle & Bridle, Saddle Horse Report, Show Horse Magazine, and more for helping #sharethesaddlebred and capturing these special moments with the American Saddlebred!