2014 KEYSTONE SHOWDOWN MAKING HISTORY!
The Keystone Quarter Horse Association could not be prouder than they were at the 2014 Keystone Showdown held in Centre Hall, PA on June 18-22. Only four short years ago the club took on many changes and a special group was pulled together strictly by fate.
That is a story within itself.
 
Before the Keystone Showdown was formed four years ago, the previous KQHA sponsored show rented 80 stalls and barely had enough entries to make an official show. Since relocating and branding the show as the Keystone Showdown and following through with a wildwest theme the show has grown to renting over 550 stalls with a record number of entries.  A majority of the classes had between 20 to 40 horses with several having to be split. A combined total of approximately 7000 entries were judged by Jennifer McGrath, Kendra Weis, Brent Maxwell, Laura Gilmore, Tom Robertson and Will Knabenshue. There were some late nights but management is already looking to accommodate the large number of entries going forward. The show went on past midnight and exhibitors were adding at midnight instead of scratching classes.

The first Keystone Showdown started out with no money in the budget though they knew they wanted the Showdown to be an event not just a horse show.  There are other clubs that hold shows at the same facility that do not have the financial concerns KQHA had.  KQHA was forced to be creative thinkers leaving no stone unturned, pulling resources and giving 200 percent. That same mentality is passed along from year to year.

Aside from the normal horse show circuit awards, KQHA is always thinking outside the box to offer exhibitors tons of opportunities to win.  The Mike Whitmore Non-Pro Walk Trot, honoring a trainer that passed away from cancer, had 73 entries, with $1000 added and a saddle given to a random entry by pulling the back number out of a sack.  The Hoedown at the Showdown was held Friday Night serving everyone a great dinner of chicken, ziti, baked beans, potato salad, desert and drinks. Entertainment featured a mechanical bull and DJ Jammin Jamie. Saturday night offered a pizza party and Frisbee toss. Frisbees were sold for a Frisbee toss contest with the funds going to the KQHA Scholarship fund. The winner received an I-Pad Air.  Each class winner was given a scratch off ticket to win big cash. Each exhibitor in Open and Amateur Performance Halter Mares and Geldings pulled from a money bag filled with several bills in different denominations including $50’s & $100’s.

Dubed the little show that could is surely making it’s mark on the east coast map.

BANQUET
Our annual banquet took place in February at the Holiday Inn Williamsport with a good time had by all thanks to the hard work and planning of Patty Beaver.  The open and amateur year end awards were phenomenal thanks to Patty and her ability to get the most bang for the buck.  The youth did a great job picking the youth year end awards, I’m sure no one walked away disappointed.  In addition to the youth year end awards, their budget allowed them to give a KQHYA hoodie to all point earners. The evening included a meal and basket auction.  The basket auction was a huge success and worthy fundraiser with the baskets being donated by the directors.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Our annual elections were held at the combined board/general membership meeting that took place at the Holiday Inn Williamsport. Our new officers are Brian Egan, President; Reed Sibley, Vice President; Patty Beaver, Secretary; Rochelle Mausteller, Treasurer.  A complete list of officers & directors can be found at the Officer/Directors tab of this website.  A complete list of meetings can be found at the Event Schedule tab of this website.  Each officer and director is committed to working for the KQHA members and making KQHA better than it’s ever been!  Please feel free to contact any officer or board member to offer your ideas or assistance.

KEYSTONE SHOWDOWN

HUGE CHANGES COMING OUR WAY!!!!

The most exciting news to come to KQHA was when AQHA approved a 5 judge circuit to be held in Centre Hall on June 15-19, 2011 with an indoor arena expected to be completed by this time.  The SHOWDOWN begins with a novice show on the 15th, then moves onto a 5 judge AQHA show through the 19th.  We are offering circuit awards for every class at the novice show along with clinics by Jonathan Meiller & Connie Sibley.
The show then moves on to the AQHA portion and offers circuit awards for each class, all around awards, and a Skeeters Work Saddle where one entry from each class will be put into a raffle to win the saddle.  Unique to our show we are having a SHOWDOWN TRIFECTA, this is awarded to the horse who earns the most points in Trail, Halter and either Western Pleasure or Hunter Under Saddle.  A special award will be offered for the TRIFECTA. 

KELLY GRAPHICS has been contracted to be our official show photographer, she brings with her a nationally recognized resume of photos and advertisements.

TREAS HORSE TRAILERS will sponsor our HOEDOWN AT THE SHOWDOWN for a fun filled get together June 17th.

We have a long list of tack and food vendors committed to our show.

We hope this change will bring a fresh look to KQHA and the SHOWDOWN will become one of the most desired circuits on the east coast. To be part of this exciting change, please contact any officer of board member.  We want to make this show #1 and that will require a lot of hard work from everyone in KQHA.  At this time we are seeking announcers and ringmasters for the SHOWDOWN, so if that is your talent please let us know.

With this news, KQHA will not longer hold the fall show, though an open show is being considered.  If this is something you would like to volunteer your time to please step forward.