Source:  News Release/Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for PMG Inc.

Show By Appointment Brings Fun, Fair and Affordable
Reined Cow Horse Competition to Georgia

Unadilla, GA - Show By Appointment (SBA) made its Georgia debut with a successful two-day show at the Southeastern Arena in Unadilla on May 18-19. The Georgia show kicked off the summer season for Show By Appointment, a new reined cow horse series with the mission of making showing "Fun, Fair, and Affordable."

Kristin Cosentino

Competitors enjoyed the friendly environment and flexible, appointment-based scheduling that are hallmarks of SBA shows. For spectators, the feature of the event was the Down the Hairy Fence run, a thrilling competition that tests the communication of horse and rider as they work a cow at high speed.

John Jacob, who competed in the Down the Hairy Fence run and won the Open Bridle classes on both days of the show, said he enjoys the challenge. "It's pretty fun," he said. "You get to go show your horse - let them show at a little bit of a higher level. It's fun doing that with the other professionals because they push it a little more than they do at a regular show."

He added that SBA's format is helpful for him as a trainer who often brings several students to shows. "I like it for my students," he explained. "Scheduling an appointment means that they can ride at different times. It allows me to help them better. And it's friendly - it's a good environment for the kids and the older adults as well."

Kristin Cosentino agreed with Jacob, calling Show By Appointment "one of the best show environments you'll ever be in." Cosentino finished one-two in the Level 2 Boxing on Zena and Hannibal Lecter. She grooms for Rick Steed and enjoys being involved with Show By Appointment.

"It's by far the friendliest and the most cheerful environment," she said. "You're not going to have any more fun than you have at our shows. We have music, free food - it's a blast. Anyone that comes is going to have fun. And the sportsmanship is really good, which means a lot to us."

Cosentino was happy with her performance in Unadilla and is looking forward to the Championship Finals, held in Sarasota in October. "My horse is pretty much one of the most amazing out there," she said of Hannibal Lecter, whom she calls Hector. "He's probably one of the coolest horses I'll every ride. He tries so hard for you no matter what, and I've been so lucky to be able to show him this season."

Andreas Sanchez

Andreas Sanchez, who rode Lucy and Zena to high placings in the Level 1 Boxing, also praised his horses' performance. "I was happy with both of the rides and both of their performances," he said. "It's been several years since they've been in the arena, especially an arena like this one. I was happy with both of them both days."

Sanchez's daughters accompanied him on the trip to Unadilla, and they achieved success in the show ring as well. The Sanchez daughters, 5-year-old Carolina on High Dollar #3 and 8-year-old Cecilia on Lucy, traded off wins in the Little Britches Youth division.

"It's become a bit of a family dedication," Sanchez said. "The girls really enjoy it - they enjoy the competition aspect of it as well. It's really fun. It was a new experience for us to travel that far with the horses. It was nice and they did a nice job putting it on."

He added that the ability to schedule ride times in advance was helpful for showing with his young daughters. "Seeing that their attention span is really limited, it's great because we can arrive, they can ride, and they can leave," he said. "It's good for the kids. They have a ball and then you can just take them home. And it's great for us too - we can prep horses and get them ready and then watch them ride. It works out very well."

Josh Veal, who won the Open Hackamore class with Creeks Smart Lena on both days of the show, was happy with his horse's progress. "He's a very quick learner," Veal said, noting that he's only been riding the horse since February. "He's probably the best horse I've ridden so far, and I've done this for a long time."

As a professional trainer, Veal sees SBA shows as a great opportunity for his students.  "Because of the schedules and being able to make an appointment, it's easier for your trainers to be able to help everyone - they can schedule appointments around your riding," he explained. "That's also the same reason it's nice for us trainers who are having to travel a long way to show. We can schedule accordingly. If I get in late Friday night, I can show later in the day Saturday."

Josh Veal

Show By Appointment returns to Unadilla on June 29-30 for the conclusion of the series. On August 15-18, SBA will host their second summer series in Jackson, OH. The season finale, the Championship Finals with over $100,000 of cash and prizes, will take place October 10-13 at Triple J Ranch in Sarasota, FL.

View complete show results at http://www.showbyappointment.com/SBA-Show-Results.html. Download entry forms for the next Unadilla show at http://www.showbyappointment.com/Entry-Forms---Appointments.html. Visit http://www.showbyappointment.com/SBA-Show-Dates.html for upcoming shows and for information about discounted rates for Unadilla exhibitors from sponsor Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, located in Perry, GA, just a short drive away. 

Keep up-to-date with SBA's news by liking them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ShowByAppointment, following them on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ShowByAppt, and checking out their website at http://www.showbyappointment.com/. Learn about sponsorship opportunities at http://www.showbyappointment.com/SBA-Sponsors.html.

About Show By Appointment

John Jacob

Show By Appointment's fresh approach to reined cow horse competition has been an unprecedented success in its first season. SBA aims to make showing "Fun, Fair, and Affordable" for competitors.  To accommodate those traveling long distances to show and help busy riders fit showing in at their convenience, SBA allows riders to reserve their own ride times in advance. This cuts down on usual travel expenses such as stall rentals and hotels and encourages competitors to make the trip and join in the fun.

Each SBA series includes four shows. Riders who compete at three out of the four shows earn a place in the Championship Finals, slated for October 10-13, 2013, at Triple J Ranch in Sarasota, FL. The Finals offer over $100,000 in cash and prizes. Competitors may also qualify for the Finals in absentia by simply sending in entries and payment to each of the four shows. This system is designed to allow riders a chance to compete in the Championship Finals without spending the season chasing points and incurring excessive competition expenses.

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