AQHA Horse Show
Conducted in Civic Center

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Some of the finest Quarter Horses from across the state made their way to the Hopkins County Civic Center, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as Hopkins County was host to one of the first AQHA approved horse shows to be conducted here in over 30 years. The event was sponsored by the North East Texas Horseman's Association and attracted over 270 entries in novice, amateur, and professional classes.

 

 

"It was a great group of people and an outstanding group of horses," exclaimed Pansy Bell, Marketing Director for the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. "The three day event is one of those events that we are specifically targeting for our facilities, as the folks come into the area and stay three or four nights and house their horses in the new facilities that we offer here at the Civic Center."

 

 

Local sponsors for the event included: Texas First Lending, City National Bank, Comfort Suites, Tully Insurance, Tractor Supply, CPI, Century 21-Hometown, Star Country 95.9, Texas Heritage National Bank, Wal-Mart, Lowes, Longhorn Trailer Sales, Alliance Bank, Quality Inn, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, Farm Bureau, and the Hopkins County Judge and Commissioners.

 

 

 

Horses competed in both halter and performance classes and attracted a large number of spectators, as they enjoyed the air conditioned comfort of the Civic Center, to view the show.

 

 

"I really enjoyed watching the show and seeing these highly trained horses perform," expressed noted horseman from Hopkins County, Charles Sellers. "Of course, I especially enjoyed the cutting, roping, and reining classes!"

 

 

The horse show, held amidst the many Dairy Festival events offered just another opportunity to attract tourists to Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County and to offer a variety of activities for them to enjoy.

 

"We want to thank all of our local sponsors and the Northeast Texas Horsemen Association for sponsoring this event and bringing all of this business to Hopkins County," expressed Bell. "We have one of the finest facilities in the entire region and the more events we host the more the word will spread!"

 

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