For many years, the Arabian horse has been promoted as the ideal family horse.  One can certainly say that about the Pitassi family whose two daughters, Brooke and Nicole, show along with their mother, Karen.  Both Brooke and Nicole started riding about 13 years ago, beginning with an innocent riding lesson just for something to do during the summer.  As you guessed, they were both hooked – attracted by the beauty and gentle ways of the Arabian lesson horses.  Since that time, they have learned lots of riding skills from different trainers and have been at Becker Stables for the last four years.

While wtching the girls take their lessons, Karen renewed her childhood interest in horses.  “It was just as much fun for me as for them,” says Karen.  Equally fun was her 2009 National Reserve Championship in Western Pleasure AAOTR 36-54 and her 2008 Canadian National championship in Western Pleasure AAOTR 36-54.  What a thrill it was with her two daughters cheering her on!

Dreams do come true as Nicole made her victory pass with the roses this year as the U.S. National Unanimous Champion Western Pleasure 18-35 and U.S. National reserve Champion Hunter Pleasure AAO Maturity.  Nicole has also competed in Reining, Hunter Pleasure and Equitation over the years.  She is now thinking of pursuing English riding as she balances college along with showing horses.

Brooke was the moral support for both mom and sister at this year’s National.  A top horsewoman in her own right, Brokke was 2009 Region 2 Champion Open Half-Arabian Junior Horse with Vexxing.  Having shown in reining and Hunter Pleasure, Brooke would also like to ride English in the future.  She is returning to Oregon State next term to pursue a second degree in Elementary Education.  Teaching is another passion outside of the horses and something that her students will definitely benefit from with her intuitive skills.

“What I think is the most fun of all is it truly was a family efford,” says Karen.  “It took Brooke, Nicole and me to prepare and help each other.  We never would have done it alone.  I really love seeing my girls on the rail when I am showing, just to give me that extra help.  I’m a lucky mom to have such great kids.  It just doesn’t get any better than that!”

When it’s winter in Oregon, the horses come home for a six month break of showing.  So it’s cleaning stalls and turning horses outside – something different from the show ring.  “We love having our horses home and enjoy looking out the kitchen window to catch a glimpse of a National Champion running free in our pasture,” says Karen.  “Arabians are beautiful just rolling in the grass.  We are truly blessed with the gift of the horses!”

SHOW SEASON is thrilled to be dressing these three lovely ladies in very fashion forward attire.  From intricate shirts and trimmed chaps to the hunt jackets and reining shirts, they trust Melissa and Patti to design and guide them to a winning look.  “We talked mom into buying ‘just one more’ outfit,” teases Brooke.  “The clothes only get better and better – getting dressed is half the fun!”

Scottsdale Entries Close On December 15th!

Sooooo, is your wardrobe ready for 2010?  We can help!  SHOW SEASON has custom tailored your clothying for 30 years, so now let us customize a PRICE PACKAGE for you!  We are listening to you and we know you want choices, so here is something good for everyone.

TRADE UP

Bring us your saddle suit, western attire or hunt coat and receive up to 30% off your new custom order for like items.  It’s time to trade in those outrgrown items and update your show clothing.  Clothing must be in excellent and clean condition and we will accept all custom clothing labels.

RECEIVE A DISCOUNT

If you have nothing to trade, ask us about our Incentive Discount on all custom orders for English, Western or Hunt attire.  This is an attractive way to add to your purchase and receive more for your dollar in return.

TRAINER PACKAGE

Come in and talk with Melissa or Patti at the 2010 Scottsdale Show so we can tailor a package that works best for you in these tough economic times.  As a professional, you need to look your best, so let us customize your new garments while making it easy on the pocketbook.

BECOME A FAN OF SHOW SEASON ON FACEBOOK

The FACEBOOK icon is located to the right in the sidebar.  Join our fan page and post your horse photos, talk about the shows, clothes, anything you wish.  Give us some ideas of what you would like to see on the site.  We want to keep it fresh for you!

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT GIFT?

Consider giving a SHOW SEASON Gift Certificate to your trainer, rider or friend.  Gift Certificates are always the right size and color for every equestrian on your list.  Just give us a call at 480-998-7256 or contact Melissa or Patti today.

SHOW SEASON will be closed for the Christmas and New Year Holidays from December 23rd to January 4th, 2010.

Your SHOW SEASON staff …

Melissa, Patti, Sue, Steve, Daa, Pat, Sommai, Lek, and Tom

We can’t think of any two people we would rather feature for the first SHOW SEASON BUZZ than Lori Cantero and her daughter Chelsea.  Chelsea, now 22 years old, has been shopping at SHOW SEASON since the tender young age of 4.  Together as a family, Robert, Lori, and Chelsea share all aspects of this sport – riding lessons, horse shows, traveling, friends and of course, tons of fun.  Together they travel to ride their horses.  From Grass Valley, California where their western horses are trained by Margie and Brett Becker, to Burleson, Texas to ride their English horses with Gordon Potts of the Brass Ring.

Like many people, Lori started riding as a child which morphed into showing at 30.  She was attracted to the Arabian horse by their beauty, riding both English and Western at various times over the years.  Her favorite recent memory is etched into her mind after showing at the 2009 U.S. Nationals for the very first time and earning a Top Ten with her purebred English Pleasure horse, JDM Rain Dance.

Chelsea’s all-time favorite memory is going National Champion in Half-Arabian Western Pleasure AAOTR 18-39 recently at U.S. Nationals in Tulsa.  Starting to ride at a very early age, Chelsea has continued her passion for riding into adulthood and the Championship roses became hers just a few weeks ago.  What a success story!  And not only did Chelsea win the roses, she also won the SHOW SEASON $500.00 Gift Certificate presented by SHOW SEASON apparel specialists, Melissa Holmes and Patti Kossmann.  Talk about a win-win moment!

Both Lori and Chelsea share another passion … shopping at SHOW SEASON!  Lori claims,

“Melissa has made showing 100 times more fun!  I don’t know if I would want to keep showing without Melissa.  After all, it’s no just about the horses … the clothes make you feel like a champion before you ever hit the ring!”

Chelsea adds…

I would not show without Melissa’s expert opinion before I go into the ring.

Now that’s a great endorsement!

At SHOW SEASON, you start as a client and become a friend.  You admire a beautiful horse and you become a rider.  Does clothing make the person or does the person become the attire?  Most feel it adds to the confidence and ability of showing.  These ladies have decided and it has paid off for them.  We are proud to have Lori and Chelsea represent our clothing so well in the ring and honored to be a part of their showing experience.

The second U.S. Nationals held in Tulsa was a great success.  Weather was good, business brisk and spirits high.  SHOW SEASON sponsored $500.00 gift certificates to the Champions in six different amateur classes throughout the show.  Congratulations to all the winners and thank you for your thoughtful comments.

PROUD RECIPIENTS OF SHOW SEASON $500.00 GIFT CERTIFICATES:

Katie Harvey – Champion Arabian English Pleasure AAOTR 18-39
Brianna York – Champion Arabian Hunter Pleasure AAOTR 18-35
Carrie Fritz – Champion Half-Arabian Country English Pleasure AAOTR 36-54
Diane Athey – Champion Arabian Western Pleasure AAOTR 36-54
Samantha Hilliard – Champion Half-Arabian Hunter Pleasure 40 & Over
Chelsea Cantero – Champion Half-Arabian Western Pleasure AAOTR 18-39

Winning the SHOW SEASON $3000.00 Gift Certificate for the English Pleasure Open was Afires Heir with Joel Keisner, owned by Shirley and William Reilich.  Congratulations everyone for the second year in a row.  Wow!

We are thrilled to see so many National Champions, Reserve Champions and Top Tens dressed by SHOW SEASON.  Included in our monthly SHOW SEASON BUZZ, we will feature our winning clients giving a little background story for your reading enjoyment.  We love showcasing our clients as they present our clothing so well in teh ring.  It is a joint effort between horse, rider, trainer and the clothing to achieve the ultimate status in the ring.  We are pleased to be a part of that experience over the last 30 years.

We wish to express our deepest sympathy at the passing of Russ Vento.  An active member of the Arabian horse community for many years, Russ was not only a valued client and friend, he was very astute in dressing the clientele at Battaglia Farms.  No detail was ever over-looked and his riders were turned out impeccably for the ring.  We will miss his wit, his humor and his presence.

SCOTTSDALE, SCOTTSDALE, SCOTTSDALE!  Are your clothes ready?  Give us a call at 480-998-7256 or e-mail melissa@showseason.com or patti@showseason.com.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!