Trixie the One Trick Pony (Journal photo)

Laughter and “ladies” mix to raise money for a great cause at the Region Six Championship.

When “Trixie the One Trick Pony” stalked through the Coliseum on the way to the horse barns with her fuzzy red jacket fluttering and the spurs jingling on her zebra-print boots,  it was a hint of what was coming.

The competitive classes on the third day of the Region Six Championship, which included western riding, western pleasure, English equitation and hunter hack, were nearing completion, but Trixie was just getting ready for her moment to shine. A short time later, the classes had finished and folks gathered fro the “Ladies” Pleasure benefit class.

The event was the brainchild of Bud Bishop (who participated dressed as “Biker Bud”), and its ten participants helped raise more than $5,000 for the Breast Care at Hartford Hospital.

Decked out in a zebra-print dress, a red fuzzy jacket with matching red pearls and long blond hair (which matched the blond streak in her horse’s tail), Trixie – who moonlights as AQHA Professional Horseman T.R. Potts – guided A Likely Leaguer through some lead changes, then took off the 10-year-old mare’s bridle, loped her around, and did a reining spin while a calcutta bid brought in $1,350.

The highest bid of the evening was for AQHA Professional Horseman Jeremy Mimitz, who, dressed as “Bobbi Jo,” brought in $1,500 from generous bidders giving for the worthy cause.

The class included some counter canters, lead changes, and a lineup where they were allowed to show the judge a special talent. Trixie stood up on a very tolerant horse to wave to the cheering crowd, and was crowned queen of the event.

After the fundraiser event, participants celebrated with a barn “aisle hop.” Groups made potluck food, drinks and desserts (including a “Proud to Ride A Quarter Horse” cake) to share, and those who were brave enough tried out the karaoke machine.

The four-day Region Six Championship in West Springfield, Massachusetts, concluded Sunday.  For more, check out the slideshow below, and click on the photos to read captions.

Andrea Caudill

Editor
American Quarter Horse Journal

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