When cowboys dress in drag for a good cause.

The March to the Arch charity AQHA horse show uses good fun to raise serious money for cancer research. (Journal photo)

There’s only one place in the AQHA horse show world where you’ll find cowboys dressed in drag and a live auction featuring things like “micro” piglets alongside the sobering reality of cancer.

But that’s the March to the Arch charity AQHA horse show in a nutshell.

Founded by trainer Doug Landon in 2006 and held every year since at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, the all-volunteer show has grown to be a big draw for top AQHA show competitors across the country.

The show has raised more than $120,000 total and has supported cancer research by the American Cancer Society and the University of Oklahoma Cancer Institute. This year’s funds go to the Children’s Hospital of St. Louis.

Why has it been so successful? “Because cancer affects everybody, it really does,” Doug told the The American Quarter Horse Journal on March 12. “We just had another lady here at the horse show; she just got diagnosed (with cancer) this week. People want to help where they can.

Check out the “ladies” western pleasure class and live auction photos from the 2010 March to the Arch. (click on each photo to see the caption).

“We tried to put even more into the show this year because it’s our fifth anniversary,” Doug added. Pink flowers, drapes and giant toys decorated every corner of the main show arena and grandstands.

“Last night, we served 100 pizzas from the Italian restaurant across the street – that’s just one of the parties the show sponsors,” he continued. “Yesterday, we had more than 1,300 entries; I think there were more than 200 in the trail and more than 90 western riders.”

Everyone associated with the show donates their time to be there, from the AQHA judges to the show management company, Mark Harrell Horse Shows. Sponsors and vendors fund exhibitors’ parties and items for the live and silent auctions.

“It was my idea,” Doug said, “but (show managers) Mark (Harrell) and David (Pardue) have been the key to its success, too. The judges have been great, the ring stewards, our sponsors; it’s a neat thing.

“We have sponsors like Rita Crundwell, she can’t ever come because she foals out so many mares, but she has been a big support. And all my customers have been a big part of the show, like Steve and Kathy Hedley. Sundowner Trailers, they’ve been with me for 5 years. And DAC products, we use them for our circuit awards. It’s hard to name them all.

“I never thought it would be like this (when we started).”

Held March 11-14, the show had stalls sold out early in February despite the economy. Doug said that some people bought stall space on eBay.

The show’s signature fund-raising event is always the Friday night of the show, featuring a live auction and the much anticipated “ladies” pleasure class. Each year, a handful of horsemen agree to dress in drag and compete in a western pleasure class calcutta.

Denny Mae Hassett (aka AQHA Professional Horseman Denny Hassett of Auburn, Kansas) had the dubious honor of winning this year’s class.

Total funds raised at this year’s show won’t be known for a few more days, but Doug is optimistic about the effort this year.

Doug is a six-year cancer survivor himself. It was the support he received from the horse community during his battle that led him to found the show.

“We can’t grow anymore,” he said with a laugh, thinking about the show’s future. “I don’t know, I just hope everybody keeps coming and supporting it and has fun. That’s the most I hope for.”

Christine Hamilton
Editor – general, rail & pattern, halter, health, breeding
American Quarter Horse Journal

The American Quarter Horse Journal is your one-stop source for everything about the Quarter Horse. Don’t miss a single issue.

Related Posts:

• 2010 Sun Country Circuit
• No Ordinary Horse Show
• 2010 Ford Youth World — July 30
• Live at the 2010 Texas Classic
• 2010 Versatility Ranch Champ