The Grand Gallop Show Q/A - for all shows hosted by @Bethmcc

Hi! I'm Bethany, and I'm the host of The Grand Gallop, A Christmas Canter, and The Turkey Trot shows (and more future shows, I'm coming up with names as I go haha!).

I wanted to introduce myself and create a space for any questions and answers related to the show!

I'm a 28 year old equine photographer. I have traveled around the country photographing horse shows, and this experience, with open shows, liberty shows, master classes and clinics, as well as all sorts of disciplines, oftentimes sat next to the judges, has given me a fun inside look at how these horses win, and what the judges look for. I've spent extensive hours studying breeds and conformation, and I like to reference a variety of horse encyclopedias if I'm left deciding between models while judging model horse shows.
I've collected Breyer horses since I got my first, at 7 years old - That Breyer was Sham! Followed by San Domingo, and now a whole stable full in my kids room.

I also ride, and currently own two beautiful horses, an Andalusian cross mare named Ella, and a Holsteiner mare named Mia. I live on a working ranch with around 30 additional horses. I love riding them around my local trails, studying and applying classical dressage principles, and having their help with product photography for a variety of brands I work with.

I'd love to hear more about you, and your experience if you've entered any of my hosted shows, and any suggestions!
My favorite are the performance classes - if you'd like to see any specific class opened up in that division, just let me know! I'd be happy to add more!

Thank you to so many of you who have consistently entered everything I've hosted - It's been a fantastic new hobby for me, and I absolutely love seeing all of your beautiful horses!

-Bethany

Hi Bethany,

Thanks for your introduction and the great notes about your background and experience. I'm sure you got a lot of great insights as an equine photographer!

I've been with OMHPS for around 5 years and have hosted a number of shows and show series with various themes (usually centered around Thoroughbreds or Draft specialty shows and others with various themes). I haven't been as active with hosting more recently.

For real-life experience with horses, we owned and bred--on a small scale--Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds (and a random Appaloosa!) and I was formerly active in dressage, local riding clubs, and hosting local shows. We have a small ranch, and are now down to only three horses here -- a retired TB homebred, a retired Irish Sport Horse military mount (my spouse's), and a Pintaloosa pasture ornament. :) We also have quite a few Thoroughbreds scattered across the country, including a few broodmares and a small share of a stallion in Kentucky.

I don't think I've entered any of your shows as yet, but I'll keep an eye out for them. Just for general show feedback, I have very few performance entries (and most are "at liberty" or "headstudy" or "other"), so I'm usually on the look out for shows with a variety of halter classes for Breyer, Stone, PVC/Rubber and other manufacturers, artists resins, and especially customs of all types and scales. I have a lot of drafts, stock and sport horses, so I prefer classes that don't lump together a large number of breeds into one class (especially if the classes are limited to only 3 entries) because it restricts how many I can enter. I also like to see classes for other purebreds and other partbreds included as a catch-all for breeds and grades that may not fit other classes. For what it's worth, I hope this is helpful. :)

I'll watch for your shows.

-Laurie

Laurie

That sounds wonderful to have nice themes for the shows! I've been playing around with that idea by adding special classes in some of the shows, such as Winter Scene Performances - It's been really fun!

Quarter horses and thoroughbreds are so lovely! It sounds like a wonderful life.

I appreciate your feedback a lot! I've expanded to have separate sections for Breyer, Stone, PVC, and Other Horses! The first time around, I ran into a few errors, but third time around now, and It's running smoothly, with many more entrants due to the added categories. I've also added categories (from other peoples requests via email) for foals, cross bred only, and unlisted pure breeds. The turn out has been awesome and WOW it has been hard to judge, because people on here have some really, really beautiful and flawless models!

Thank you again for the feedback! And anyone else here in the forum, please feel free to say so if there's a class you'd like added! I will add it! The shows are for all of you to enjoy!

-Bethany

Hi Bethany,

I have a specific question on the next show, so I’ll send you a direct message through this forum.

Really enjoyed your last shows. Very fun!

(PS. You may get the same DM multiple times. It didn’t seem to be sending at first, then sent multiples. 😊 )