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The KMSHA/SMHA International Grand Championship is here upon us. This year’s Futurity boasts significant changes. The biggest change is that we can now nominate and show our wonderful mares and broodmares the same as our stallions. Their foals will be eligible to show in the Futurity and the mare owner will be awarded 10% of her offspring’s winnings.

Weanling, Yearling and 2 year old Conformation classes. These classes are combined Futurity and Conformation classes this year. The horses do not need to have a nominated sire or dam and geldings will be allowed to show.

2 & 3 year old, and the 4 year old and older, under saddle classes. It will cost you a total of $100 to nominate and enter your horse in your desired under saddle class. Geldings will need a Futurity Nominated sire or dam to show in the under saddle classes.

KMSHA/SMHA 5 year old and older Stallion Stakes, are still part of the Futurity. The winners in these classes will receive $500. The Spotted Mountain Futurity Stallions are welcome to show in these two stakes classes. If your stallion is new to the Futurity, it will cost you $150 to nominate and enter him in the Stallion Stakes. However, if your stallion has been nominated in a previous year, it will only cost you $100 to renew his nomination and show.

New this year are the two Spotted Mountain Grand Championship classes. The winner in this class will receive $300. You will need to show and be judged in a qualifying class and in a Championship class to be eligible for the Grand Championship classes The Grand Championship classes will be Country Trail/Trail Pleasure and Classic/Park Pleasure.

Weanling/Yearling In Hand Trail Obstacle class. On Saturday morning we have the trail obstacle for the little guys. Last year’s winner was a little black tobiano weanling colt named Zorro, owned by The Richards Family. (Who ever said that weanlings could not beat the yearlings has never seen this little guy take on the obstacles.) You can show in a rope halter with rope shank in either Western or English attire. Why don’t you try your hand this year?

Natural Horsemanship class. This class was won by a Spotted Mountain Horse last year, Merry’s Painted Surprise, better known as Chuckles, and his proud owner Josette Knowles. They really put on a show for us, ending in a canter with a rope halter and one rein.

Spotted Versatility Award. Lt.’s Blue Ribbon with Elise Pacholewski, Shawn Magrum and owner rider Nichaela Noebe in the irons took this prize last year. The winner of this award is the horse that accumulates the most points at the International. It takes more than one rider to win this special award.

As always the Spotted Mountain Horses are eligible to show in all of the following classes, Country Trail Pleasure, Juvenile, Amateur, AOT, Novice, Western, 14.3 and Under, 4 Gait, Trail Obstacle and Driving classes. There is plenty to keep us busy this year. Come and enjoy the show with us, either as a spectator or an exhibitor.

If you are interested in competing for any of the Awards remember to sign up for them early. The sign up sheet must be turned in before the first class needed for that award.

Are you planning a fall/winter trail ride or camp out? Please let us know as there are many of our members all over the country looking for trail riding buddies. If you happen to be near Lexington, KY this October 31st then you might like to checkout the CKRH 12TH ANNUAL TACK SALE AND CKRH TRAIL RIDE at the CKRH Facility in the Kentucky Horse Park. The Tack Sale opens its doors at 8 am and the ride is from 8-4pm with lots of land to ride over and new friends to meet and visit with. The KHP and Barton Farm have miles of acres to ride at your own pace, so it is a great place for a family trail ride before winter sets in and slows some of us "Fair Weather Riders" down.

We need to get out and show our support for the Spotted Mountain Horse by continuing to register, trail ride and show our beautiful spotted horses.