When AQHA’s Regional Experiences began in 2005, I was lucky to be assigned to the Region Six, which that year was in Skowhegan, Maine.

Brandon Currier has been working the Region Six Experience since its inception in 2005. However, this year was the first time he showed in it and ended up winning two champion belt buckles with his halter horses. (Journal photo)

I ate lobster at least twice, admired the beautiful Maine landscape and enjoyed the upper New England weather. But most of all, I fell in love with the people of Region Six. They were just genuine, down-home folks out having a good time at this new kind of horse show AQHA was putting on.

I met my first French Canadian, Christian Beauchemin of Blainville, Quebec, who shared lots of wine with me and tried to teach me a few French words.

There was Donna Rosciti, who approached past AQHA President Frank Howell about an idea of starting a World Show-type event for the novice and run-of-the-mill exhibitor and started the whole idea for the Regional Experiences.

I also hung around with fellow journalist Barbara Breed, who worked for a small New England equestrian magazine and was instrumental in getting the Region Six Experience off the grounds.

And two who I really got to know were Pam Currier and her 12-year-old son Brandon. The two were always by the arena gate with a John Deere Gator full of ribbons and AQHA corporate partner prizes. Pam would organize everything, and Brandon would drive the Gator into the arena for the award ceremony. What made them special is they were just good, hardworking people who were having a blast at a horse show.

In 2006, the Region Six Experience was moved to Springfield, Massachusetts. For the next two years I walked the beautiful grounds of the Eastern States Expo talking to spectators and exhibitors while watching a five-day show where the air was full of enthusiasm and excitement.

However, in 2008, instead of Region Six, I traveled to London, Ontario, for the AQHA Youth World Cup. I had a great time being a part of the international event, but I did miss my friends in New England.

When it came time to assign Regional Experiences earlier this year, I asked if I could return to Region Six and was granted my request.

When I arrived late in the evening July 14, folks were busy getting their stalls set up and preparing for the next day’s first set of classes.

I ran into Donna almost immediately. She had lost a lot of weight in the two years since I had seen her. She told me she had gotten very ill last fall and was still experiencing some problems. Turning 50 this year, she had hoped to qualify her mare for the Bayer Select World Championship Show but because of her illness she was unable to. She said she is shooting for 2010, though.

I then ran into Pam, who looked great and was still in charge of organizing the awards. She told me Brandon was around somewhere.

“He’s more interested in girls now than horses,” she told me with a laugh. “But when you see him you won’t recognize him.”

She was right. It wasn’t long before Brandon showed up and here was this 6-foot-1-inch young man, no longer the little boy who drove around the Gator and shadowed AQHA Senior Director of Shows Charlie Hemphill everywhere.

However, Brandon informed me he was going to show for the first time at the Regional Experience the next day and he was a little nervous but excited.

“He’s done so well this year showing our gelding,” Pam said. “He wanted to go to one show to practice for the Regional Experience, but he liked it so much that he kept showing.”

Brandon even nationally qualified for the 2009 Ford AQHYA World Championship Show. Although the Curriers can’t afford to travel to Oklahoma City this year for the show, they are hoping they can next year.

I asked Pam about some of the others. Where were Christian and Barbara? I didn’t see them anywhere.

Purchase photos from the Region Six Experience!

“Christian wanted to make it down, but he’s pretty sick and won’t be here,” she told me. “Barbara died last August of cancer.”

The news broke my heart. Barbara’s cancer had prevented her from attending last year’s Regional Experience and now Christian was not here.

I was also saddened to hear that numbers were way down from the 2008 event’s of almost 1,100. Entries this year were around 800 with many exhibitors either not showing up because of the economy or traveling to AQHA shows in New York or Georgia to chase World Show points.

But even with the bad news, I was thrilled to be back in Region Six. It’s still a great show, and I could still feel the enthusiasm and excitement in the air.

Although Region Six as well as some of the other Regional Experiences wasn’t as big this year as it was in the past and many familiar faces were not around, I still believe the Regional Experiences are such enriching experiences.

It is the type of show Donna envisioned – a World Show-type event for the exhibitor who doesn’t show often or is just beginning in AQHA shows. Yes, it is still evolving and experience growing pains, especially during these tough economic times. But Regional Experiences are still places where you can not only show your horse but you can make new friends, learn from some of the top Professional Horsemen in the country and just have a good time.

Tonya Ratliff-Garrison
Field Editor
American Quarter Horse Journal

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Check out some of the photos from the first day of the Region Six Experience on July 15. Click on the photos to see the captions. Some of the photos are available for purchase at the AQHA Photo Store.

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