SUMMERAMA 2002

by Jeffrey Reed

In a year when the Toronto International Quarter Horse Show (TIQHS) rode into the sunset, the OQHA, and its Area 3 Promotional Club came to the rescue with Summerama 2002. In fact, long before the TIQHS folded before its scheduled appearance in Toronto this year, the Summerama show has stolen the spotlight from the horse show in Canada’s largest city.

The scenic and storeyed Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, Ont., just northwest of Toronto, hosted a record Summerama attendance of 4,404 entries – up from 4,000 in 2001 – plus a new twist: NSBA entries in 13 classes, held concurrently with AQHA classes. In addition to the numerous awards, prize money totalled $5,000. Competitors from across Canada and the U.S. (Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Tennessee) – including numerous Congress and World Show riders and horses – braved sweltering heat but enjoyed dry conditions at Ontario’s largest quarter horse show, June 28 through July 1.

This year’s judges arrived in the respected foursome of Mark Defreece (Texas), NSBA judge Chris Kozlowski (Texas), Karen McCuistion (Oklahoma) and Randy Wilson (Georgia). The format of this year’s edition of Summerama changed, due to the addition of a two-ring format.

On June 28 and July 1, the same classes (Showmanship, Driving, Hunter Under Saddle and Equitation) were held in Ring A. On June 29 and June 30, the same classes were held concurrently in two rings. Ring A, beginning at 8:30 a.m., hosted Halter, Long Line, Walk/Jog, Western Pleasures and Horsemanship. Ring B, beginning at 7 a.m., hosted Jumping, followed by Trail and Western Riding. The Trail and Western Riding were ridden free choice, but there was a set time for the running of Trail. All exhibitors were to have ridden their patterns during the set time, posted during the day of the show.

Show manager, Ken McLellan, says the addition of a second ring made Summerama 2002 a much more "people friendly" event. "In past years, we were much more limited, and sometimes ended up finishing a day of competition at 11 p.m. or midnight. This is just part of the reason for the show’s success," McLellan says. "It’s an excellent facility, and when you get the kinds of (attendance) numbers we do, it only attracts more people from greater distances, and makes the show even bigger the next year."

NSBA Introduction A Hit

The third and fourth days of Summerama 2002 saw a large number of entries in the NSBA 2 Year Old Snafffle Bit Western Pleasure, Junior Western Pleasure, Junior Hunter Under Saddle, Amateur Hunter Under Saddle, Senior Hunter Under Saddle classes, as well as Western Pleasure Youth 14-18 and Hunter Under Saddle Youth 14-18. 

Area 3 president, Carol Reeves, says the success surrounding record attendance and concurrently record stall numbers was totally dependent upon the "dedicated pool of volunteers. Summerama is a huge undertaking," Reeves says. "We were blessed with good weather, instead of the thunderstorms that have plagued us during the past two shows. The NSBA classes, which were pulled together by (Area 3 director) Alicia Aitchison just 60 days before the show, came off quite well for a new class, and we’ll build on that for next year."

Experiencing substantial growth during the past year, the NSBA (est. 1983) strives to define, promote and improve the quality of the pleasure horse; to promote exhibits, events and contests in expositions and shows; to promote the training of pleasure horses; to promote interest in pleasure horses among younger horsemen; and to use and encourage the use of the standard rules for holding and judging contests of the pleasure horse. Thanks in part to shows like Summerama which are now on board, the NSBA projects "unprecedented growth" in the number of participants, events available and award purses.

Sponsors of the NSBA classes at Summerama 2002 were: Dave Aitchison, Aitchison Performance Horses; Wayne Davis, Rick Leek, Chris Lenhart, Lisa Nicholson, Bill Rinzema, Rinzema Quarter Horses; and Gord Wadds,

World Class Show

Area 3 assistant show manager, Jean Walker, concurs with McClellan that Caledon Equestrian Park is a major reason why numbers continue to grow at Summerama. "Anyone who visits the show comments on how well kept the park is, and how scenic it is," says Walker. "That’s something that sometimes gets overlooked when you hear talk about the success of Summerama: the facility itself."

Walker also agrees with Reeves that Summerama is one of the top quarter horse shows in North America, in terms of overall operations, and the level of competition. She says, "This is a world-class show. A lot of the Americans I spoke with told me they rank Summerama among the top three shows in all of the circuits they attend – and some of them go to all of the shows."

Equestrian Management Group Inc. (EMG) of Bolton, Ont. plays an instrumental part in the operations at Caledon Equestrian Park. Since 1987, EMG has produced Canada’s top hunter and jumper events. In addition, EMG’s horse show management software has been widely adopted across North America. In 2000, EMG became the leader in adopting Internet and database technology to make event results and standings universally accessible. Also, EMG offers products and services including jumps, stabling, footing, and event staffing.

All three Summerama spokespeople cited the fact that despite the tough competition once again provided by their American counterparts, Canadian competitors held their own. Reeves says, "The Americans are awesome. They do it full time and take it very seriously. They ride harder and longer, and show longer than we do thanks in part to their weather. But if you want to beat them, you have to also ride harder."

Giving an example of the world-class competition at Summerama 2002, Walker points out the inclusion of Karen Evans-Mundy of Tennessee, multiple winner of the World Show Amateur Super Horse Title. Evans-Mundy, an AQHA Performance Champion, was the High Point All Around Amateur winner at Summerama 2002. She was Reserve World Champion in Equitation Over Fences (1998), and World Champion and High Point in Hunt Seat Equitation (1997).

Canucks Hold Their Own

Two Canadians captured High Point awards. Janet Termorshuizen of St. Anns, Ontario showed a lot of poise, capturing the All Around Novice Amateur title at a level relatively new to her. Termorshuizen was High Point Canadian All Around winner in Novice Amateur, and, riding Top A Triple, she captured the Amateur Trail Circuit Award.

The High Point All Around Awards included a new class at Summerama 2002: Select Amateur. Gretta Hutton of Meaford, Ontario won this class. An Area 3 member, Hutton rode Move Your Asset (by Good Asset), a seven-year-old gelding, 16.2 hands. "He’s a great horse," says Hutton, who has ridden for 37 years, but credits trainers Kelly Simpson and Cara Lemieux of Orillia, Ont. for her recent success.

"It’s unbelievable. It’s like I have a different horse this year," says Hutton. "Kelly and Cara understand me and my horse. I’ve added Showmanship and Equitations and Horsemanship this year. I was mainly competing in Hunter Under Saddle last year. In fact I hardly rode from August of last year to May of this year, because I was renovating my home and busy working as a special education consultant with the Bluewater School Board."

Hutton explains, "Kelly and Cara make sense to me with their lessons. I can’t praise them enough. I’m happier riding now than I ever have been in the past." Hutton’s daughter, Shauna Rickerby, used to train with Ian Millar in Europe, and now trains in Harrisburg, Penn.

Joining Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle and Western Pleasure as new Select Amateur classes at Summerama 2002 were Novice Youth and Novice Amateur Trail classes.

Sarah Black, 14, of Orangeville, Ont. also turned some heads with outstanding performances at Summerama 2002. Already a veteran with 10 years of riding and seven years of showing under her belt, Black captured All Around Canadian Novice Youth, Top Canadian Novice Youth Hunter Under Saddle, and Novice Youth Hunter Under Saddle Circuit Award. She was also Reserve All Around Novice Youth winner, and a member of the Aggressor Automation team which won the 2002 Ontario Youth Team Challenge.

Sarah Black & Generally Charming - photo by Holman Photography

The Challenge began during the Area 3 Spring Classic in May, and concluded at Summerama. It began with an Ice Breaker Game and Scavenger Hunt. Teams accumulated points throughout the two shows, resulting in 480 points for Aggressor Automation, which included: Christine DeBrouwer, Alicia DeCou, Jesse Elders, Brandi Goulding, Valerie Grills, Rhiannon Harry, McKenzie Harvey, Taylor Simpanen, Michelle Wright and Black, who was Most Sportsmanlike runner-up to Jesse Hepburn of the Hepburn Trailers team.

With a little help from her 1994 "pen mix" Generally Charming (barn name Tye), Black was able to produce some outstanding results at this year’s Summerama show. "Tye and I get along really well," says Black. "It really helped me this year, because there was so much tough competition, especially from the States. But I kept confident and was really happy with my results." Black adds, she is "totally dedicated" to quarter horses, and hopes to become a trainer down the road.

"One of the challenges we have with this show is, people say, ‘Oh well, with all of the Americans competing, Canadians can’t win," says Reeves. "Well, that’s not true. Canadians can hold their own, as has been proven with the High Point Awards at this show, with people like Sarah."

Walker adds, "The Canadians faired very well amongst some tough American competition. They should all be very proud of their accomplishments."

Overall, Reeves says, "The changes to the show schedule were well received by both the exhibitors and the judges. Everyone appreciated getting the day finished at a reasonable time, and having the evenings to relax. The Trail classes saw a great number of entries and took over six hours to complete. I cannot imagine what the day would have been like if that division was run consecutively to the rest of the show."

Reeves thanks Walker and fellow Summerama 2002 chairperson Dianne Howe; Andrea McGowan for hours of effort put into stall bookings; and the entire ring crew.

The following sponsors helped make Summerama 2002 a huge success: Heritage Farms, Dave & Judy Hickey; Metal Door; The Party Ponies; Pronto Automotive; Peace Acres Farm (The Next Star); Fox Chrysler; Zeiger Quarter Horses; Ontario Amateur Quarter Horse Association; Heste Sport Inc.; Pickard Quarter Horses; Hepburn Sales/Trailers; Jensen Trailers, Sales & Service; Heather Shaw; Silver Willow Farm; Donna’s Performance Horses; Affleck Quarter Horses; Colley, Borland and Vale; The Fordham Family; Paul Quail Transport; Greenhawk Harness & Supply; CherWood Acres Farm; W.D. Keeling Printers Ltd.; Davis Feed & Farm Supply; Wellington Trailer Sales, Doug Campbell; Equiline & Roots Apparel; Acappella Information Systems; Rick Fleetwood; Granton Trailers; and Dave and Susan Stevason.

Summerama 2002 included a well-received wine and cheese party, sponsored by Jim and Barb Lockyer of Peace Acres Farm, home of The Next Star; and an exhibitors dinner sponsored by Area 3. As well, there was even a fun dog show, judged by Will Western, OQHA president, and assisted by Rick O’Donnell, OQHA director and chair of promotion and publicity.

How do you improve upon an already highly successful show? Walker says the introduction of the two-ring system will be improved upon next year at Summerama 2003. And, the show committee will meet to discuss other ways to better the show.

Summerama is unique in that it allows for accumulation of necessary World Show qualifying points, and therefore avoiding the need to travel to a number of shows – a big selling point, Walker says.Here’s betting that Summerama 2003 keeps them coming back for more.

Jeffrey Reed of London, Ontario is a leading Canadian freelance journalist. For more than 20 years, he has been an active broadcaster, writer and photographer. Well-known for his contributions of news, sports and entertainment reports, Jeffrey is now writing equine-related stories for a handful of publications, including AQHA Journal, Northern Horse Review, Horse Canada, Ontario Farmer and Business London Magazine. Jeffrey and his wife, Elizabeth, are both members of OQHA, and Area 1 Quarter Horse Promotional Association. You can e-mail Jeffrey at  or visit his web page or visit his second website,  featuring a selection of his horse photography.