When faced with cancelling the Oregon High Desert Classics this year, J Bar J Youth Services Event Coordinator Jenni Garner leapt at the chance to create a virtual horse show. The reaction from the equine community was terrific. Trainers and barns from Washington to Northern California and Idaho jumped in, several creating mini-horse shows with their own riders. They set up courses and filmed rounds, posting them on social media. Judges from the real shows participated, watching all of the rounds and leaving comments and scores. While it couldn’t replace the excitement and camaraderie of the Oregon High Desert Classics, this year’s No-Show Horse Show did bring the equine community together and provided a fun event for participants.
The No-Show Horse Show culminated with the Sheri Allis Memorial Virtual Grand Prix live-streamed on Facebook. The event featured interviews with the grand prix riders, a video of clips from other participants, and pre-recorded grand prix rounds from riders Lindsey Paton Garner, Rachel Long, and Kyle King. The winner was the highest fundraiser, with each rider getting their friends and clients to donate. It came down to an exciting jump-off with Lindsey and Rachel, each taking and losing the lead over the last few minutes. In the end, Lindsey came out ahead and won a stay for four at the luxurious Bay House Vacation Rental in Lincoln City!
The Oregon High Desert Classics is our largest fundraiser of the year, and its loss creates a large gap in our revenue. The No-Show Horse Show helped to offset that setback with donations and several OHDC sponsors who agreed to stay with us for the virtual event. Thank you to our sponsors for continuing your support! The WHH Foundation/ Les Schwab/Morgan Stanley- Schroeder Fain Group/Regence Blue Shield Blue Cross/ Bigfoot Beverages/ Meridian Peaks/Fratzke Commercial/ Jerry Jackson Insurance/ JTS Animal Bedding/ Pahlish Homes/ Eberhards Dairy/ Hamby House/ Coyote Rock Ranch/ Crystal Image Farms