Southern Saddlebred Sales and UPHA Chapter 8 Horse Show Join Forces April 26th - 28th
Southern Saddlebred Sales inaugural event is scheduled for the last weekend in April. The Spring Sale already has consignments from Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee. “We currently have around 100 entries, which we feel is a strong first sale, and we are especially pleased with the support we’ve received from all across the country,” said James Hale.
Hale is also the Chapter Chairman for UPHA Chapter 8, who has their 6th Annual Horse Show scheduled for April 19-21 in Cleveland, TN. Chapter 8 has decided to combine their horse show with Southern Saddlebred Sales, and will hold the show and the sale in conjunction with each other at the Murfreesboro, TN facility from April 26-28. “We have nearly sold out of stalls at our current showgrounds for the past two years,” said Lisa Bible, Chapter 8 Co-Chairman, “so in order for the show to grow, we need to move to a larger facility. Joining forces with the sale will have a positive impact on both events.”
The Hales have the Tennessee Miller Coliseum secured for a two-day event, and are donating the extra day to UPHA Chapter 8 for the horse show. “I didn’t want to see the facility rental go to waste, so we are happy to give it to UPHA Chapter 8 in support of the horse show and the Saddlebred industry,” said James. The show will now be held from April 26-28 and the schedule will remain the same. The sale will take place on Friday, April 27th at 10am, as there are no daytime classes scheduled on Friday.
SSS, Inc. is pleased to offer a full and exciting one-day sale, with a free webcast provided by the USEF Network. “Many of the regular Chapter 8 horse show attendees also have horses consigned to the sale, so this a perfect partnership,” said James. In addition to the many people already planning to attend the auction, the sale will benefit from the built-in audience at the horse show. The show will benefit by the move to the larger facility in Murfreesboro, and will likely pick up some new exhibitors as a result of the sale. “With fuel prices on the rise, combining the events will give people more bang for their buck. It is a Win/Win for everyone, and with 500 stalls, there is plenty of room for both events to grow,” said James. In keeping with their goal of promoting the American Saddlebred and growing the industry, the Hales are considering another show in tandem with their Fall Sale, October 19-21, 2012.
Southern Saddlebred Sales is extending the entry deadline until March 30th, giving people additional time to enter, now that the show is being held in conjunction with the sale. This will be an event reminiscent of Dewey Henderson’s Auction held in conjunction with Pro Am Horse Show in the early 80’s. Visit either event website for more information:
www.southernsaddlebredsales.com or www.uphach8.com
Contact James or Jackie Hale at 205-669-6649 for a sale entry form or a horse show prize list.