Texas Loves Derbies! Horseback Congratulates the Pin Oak Show

Texas Loves Derbies! Horseback Congratulates the Pin Oak Show:

Texas High Performance Series

LEXINGTON, (Pin Oak) – A Texas flair was in the air at the 2010 / 2011 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals Draw party in Lexington, as the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, Great Southwest Equestrian Center and Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show sponsored the event. But there were no ten-gallon hats to be seen– this party was all about Derbies. The coalition hosted the Draw party to call attention to its Texas High Performance Series, which for the second year, will offer over $80,000 in Derby prize money at the beautiful Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas in March.

Lynn Walsh, President of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, was enthusiastic about the series. “Texas can stand up and be counted with any other circuit in the country now. With the Texas High Performance Series, we offer over half a million dollars in Hunter / Jumper prize money. With our five Hunter Derbies and five Grand Prix events, this series is loaded with opportunity. Plus, we have so many other things that interest all Hunter/Jumper competitors– the history, tradition, hospitality and southern charm that Pin Oak is famous for.”

USHJA CEO Shelby French enjoyed the Texas touches. “The fact that ‘Texas Loves Derbies’ was really evident at the Draw party for the International Hunter Derby Finals,” said French. “Every rider received a wonderful gift bag from the sponsors with the slogan emblazoned on it as they drew for their place in the order of go for the finals. It was a fun event and featured real Texas hospitality in Kentucky!” Even more fun, riders chose from a gallery of toy foxes in hunting attire, whose back number revealed their place in the order of go.

Junior rider Lillie Keenan and her horse C Coast Z ultimately earned the $100,000 Championship First Prize. She drew numbers 4 and 13 for her entries.

Amy Uniss, representing Great Southwest Equestrian Center, was enthusiastic about the improvements to the facility that hosts the Texas Performance Series. “We’ve done over a million dollars worth of improvements so far, including two new OttoSport arenas, working toward our vision of being the top show facility in the Southwest,” says Uniss. “It’s an ongoing project, as there is always something that we can do better. We focus on how to exceed the customer’s expectations next year. It’s a good business model—we never forget who our customers are and we appreciate everyone who shows here.”

The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show forms the first two legs of the Texas High Performance Series, continuing its theme of Step Up and Step Out for Children. Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show is held the following week.

Pin Oak Charity Horse Show’s dates for 2012 are March 21 – 25 and March 27 – April 1. For additional information, call 713-621-6290 or visit the website at www.pinoak.org.