RANCHO MURIETA — California’s Quarter Horse Show scene got off to a booming start of 2015 at the Murieta Equestrian Center Feb. 11-15, as the Back to Basics Show came to town for five days of busy competition.

The circuit hosted almost 900 entries per day with classes for everyone at all levels and age groups — both AQHA and all-breed. From halter to pleasure, cattle classes to trail, ranch riding to hunters under saddle, this show had it.

“Lori Crow designed custom Ranch Riding patterns for us, and those were a big hit with the exhibitors,” said Show Manager R.L. Davis. “Overall, folks just seemed to be enjoying the show and the beautiful weather. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits all week.”

Most classes were big, so point totals were large, added Davis.

“Happy people are contagious, and it was great.” The Back To Basics Show has been a tradition for several decades, and this year exhibitors arrived from throughout the Western U.S. and Canada. Total Equine Event Management (TEEM) manages the event.

Innovations this year included the “Dirt & Diamonds” Open and Non Pro All Breed Trail Stakes with Lori Crow Trail Designs designing and overseeing all of the trail.

The Dirt and Diamonds Open Trail Stakes had $1,000 in added money, sponsored by Markel Insurance, bringing the total payout to almost $2,000. A Special Kinda Love, ridden by David Busick for owner Candy Bava, won the Open Trail Stakes Championship, earning $580.50 as well as a custom bronze sculpture and a gift certificate from Barbara’s Custom Hats.

“We had a blast!,” said Bava. “The great trail lady Lori Crow designed courses that were fun and challenging, not to mention her wonderful smile and sense of humor everyday. Even though it was nightime and we showed in the indoor arena under lights, I always figure they are trail horses and should be able to weather anything put in from of them, so no worries for our barn. I know our group really enjoyed it.”

“I want to thank Market Insurance for sponsoring the Open Trail Stakes and Jerry & Shelly Alvord for making this happen,” she added.

The Open Trail Stakes Reserve Champion was Ok Ima Good One, shown by Cheryl Busick and owned by Ingrid Miller, who took home a check for $483.75, a custom chest and a gift certificate from Barbara’s Custom Hats. Third place went to Michael Weaver showing Zippos Ultra Gold for Kathryn Devries, receiving a custom leather checkbook and a check for $387. Pam Araujo’s horse, Look Im Good, captured foruth place and a check for $290.25, and Barbara Fletcher rode her Paint Horse, Eddie, to fifth place, earning $193.50.

The Alvords sponsored $500 for the added money in the Non Pro Trail Stakes, bringing its payout to almost $1,000.

“The trail exhibitors have been asking for something special in their arena, so we structured something similar to what we provide with our NRCHA Derby, and it paid back really well to the exhibitors who participated,” said Davis. “We are hoping that it generates enough interest from the trail exhibitors to continue to offer it in 2016 and beyond.”

For exhibitors and their friends and families, the Back 2 Basics AQHA show also offered some “good ol’ hospitality.”

“We try to create a schedule that makes time for people to get together, relax and have fun outside of the intense competition of the show,” said Kathy Davis, Show Secretary. “Last year, we had nice weather and a very large show. This year, you couldn’t have asked for better weather and our entries shot through the roof!”

“It’s challenging to get through the large list of classes each day with so many entries and still get done at a reasonable hour,” she added.” But the exhibitors were thrilled with all of the points available at such a big show.”

A Wednesday night exhibitors welcome party and Thursday night Lucas Oil/Protect the Harvest Dirt & Diamonds NRCHA Derby party, hosted by Protect the Harvest, were crowd-pleasers.

The NRCHA Derby portion of the show increased by 26 percent from 2014, largely in part to the increased added money from their sponsors,including title sponsors Lucas Oil Products / Protect the Harvest, as well as two very nice stallions, Real Smooth Cat and Brother Jackson, whose owners also provided added money.

Total payout for the Open Derby division was $12,250 and the Non Pro payout was $4,300.
Clayton Edsall won the Open on Johnny Isalena for owner Chelsea Barney, earning a custom bronze trophy, Protect the Harvest/Lucas Oil product package and Barbara’s Custom Hats gift certificate along with a check for $3,675.

Reserve Champion was Skyline Cat, ridden by Brandon Staebler for Michael Walsh,earning a custom chest, Protect the Harvest/Lucas Oil product package and Barbara’s Custom Hats gift certificate, plus a check for $2,940. Tucker Robinson finished third on CDs Catalena Cash for San Juan Ranch, receiving a custom leather checkbook and a check for $2,205.

The Non Pro division of the Lucas Oil/Protect the Harvest Dirt and Diamonds Derby was also host to a tough field of competitors vying for the $4,300. Many were return competitors from last year’s event, in addition to several new exhibitors.

After battling it out along the fence, only a half-point separated the top three with Ramona Wold claiming the title on Jules Hickory Star,winning the custom crystal trophy, a Protect the Harvest/Lucas Oil product package, a gift certificate from Barbara’s Custom Hats and a check for $1,720.

Debby Sanguinetti was reserve on Diesel Cat, earning a custom chest, Protect the Harvest/Lucas Oil product package and Barbara’s Custom Hats gift certificate, along with a check for $1,290.

The show circuit is also a PCQHA Youth Qualifying show and has always drawn large numbers of entries in all of the Youth and Level 1 Youth classes.

Many “Special Circuit Awards” were presented and some brought tears to a few eyes. Receiving the Senior Trail “Sybil Hardy Memorial Sculpture” was David Busick riding A Special Kinda Love for Bava. After the big win, Bava said “the Senior Trail Sybil Hardy Memorial is such a beautiful bronze — this award is quite heart-warming and such a great tribute to one of our industries great icons!”

The Alvords also sponsored this beautiful trophy.

RL & Kathy Davis sponsored a crystal sculpture to present to the Circuit Champion in Select Amateur Trail in memory of the late Kathy Hunt. Linda Gluckman riding her gelding, Rockin Out In Style, had a great week in the trail pen and received the special award.

2015 Back To Basics Quarter Horse Show
Feb. 11-15,2015 * Murieta Equestrian Center, Rancho Murieta, Calif.
Special Circuit Champions
Class/ Horse/ Rider

Junior Cutting/ Busy Being Catty/ Travis Jensen

Am. Ranch Horse Pleas/ Chex This Chic Out/ Michelle Roye

Op. Sr. Cow Horse/ Real Smooth Cat/ Ken Wold

Am. Select Trail/ Rockin Out In Style/ Linda Gluckman

Op. Sr. Trail/ A Special Kinda Love/ David Busick

Op. All Around/ Shes Nu Nitro/ Kathy Torres

Am. All Around/ The Krymsun Moon/ Stephanie Kofu

Select Am. All Around/ Lookin Krymsun/ Lorraine Jewett

NovYouth All Around/ Sleep By Invitation/ Nadalee Vasquez

Youth All Around/ Certainly Suited/ Michelle Patin

NovAm. All Around/ Wall Street Mogul/ Brenda Mansur

11-Under All Around/ Getyourenginerunning/ Zetta Reid