WESTERN CLASSIC 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
an event with a heart and soul. Be sure
to see our 2007 Winners Circle.
The Sharon Camarillo Classic program is a unique event, solely supported by sponsorship dollars. Aside from being a student of the Sharon Camarillo Clinic, we do not have membership requirements, nor do we solicit entries. On the contrary, we limit the number of contestants to how many we can run in a five-hour performance. The Classic experience, in part, is about celebrating opportunities, spending time with family and friends, supporting Camarillo Classic Pink for cancer research, and honoring the fact that we are blessed to live in a country that provides us the freedoms to pursue our dreams and goals!
Sixteen years ago, we established the first Western Classic in Gardnerville, Nevada, with the idea of creating an event that would allow us to showcase our students and their horses in a simulated National Finals environment, and at the same time provide a resource for continuing equestrian education.
Left to right: Wade Camarillo, Gina Johnson, Bill Adams, Cyndy Smith,
Don Pederson, Tom Hull, Jenny Hull, Debbie Wood, Sharon Camarillo,
Cheryl Price, Chelsea Gaya, Holly Gaya, Terry Gaya, Jim Price,
Shirley Ankrum, Brent Ankrum, Juan Dudier. Not pictured: Sarah Grey.
and Debbie Wood, General Manager.
Please send thank you notes to Debbie
at 950 Karen Drive, Chico, CA 95926.
The Classic’s General Manager, Debbie Wood and myself, felt the format should include multi go-rounds to promote and reward consistent performance for those students who had the interest to strengthen their competitive skills under the pressure of competition. Our goal was to provide fair competition for beginners and experienced students alike. To date, the event has paid out over $1,250,000 in cash and awards and has been a learning ground for successful riders throughout the country.
It has become tradition for me to officially welcome the contestants, on behalf our staff, during the Grand Entry celebration. Each year as I ride into the arena, I can’t help but get choked up. Our contestants, all former students, look to me as if waiting for the blessing! Their eagerness is inspirational and their support of the program is humbling. Several of our riders, Susan Van Rein, Lauren Pai, Jeanette Emery, Nicki Olson and Susie Gunter have not missed a Classic and it is those loyal competitors, and many more like them, that truly are the heart and soul of the event.
Photographs by ProSportsPixOnline.