While most youth kicked off their holiday vacation making cookies and decorating for Christmas, Louisville youth Julius and Robert Culwell started their holidays at a horse show.
The Culwell brothers traveled early in December with their horses to Meridian, MS to compete in a combined Palomino Horse Breeders of America (PHBA) and Pinto Horse Association of America (PtHA) horse show. The Christmas in Dixie PHBA/PtHA Show at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center was sponsored by the Heart of Dixie Palomino Exhibitors Association (HOPE) and the Mississippi Pinto Horse Association (MSPHA).
After a busy weekend of showing, older brother Julius was high point exhibitor in the speed events for both the youth palomino and solid pinto classes with his 16 year old mare Hollywood NV ME. In the open speed events Julius also won high point in the solid pinto classes and tied for high point in the palomino classes.
Overall, Julius was named high point solid pinto youth and open exhibitor for the weekend, while younger brother Robert was reserve high point. Younger brother Robert Culwell, who is the PtHA Youth National Director for Zone 6, was high point youth in the youth solid pinto ranch riding and trail classes with his 23 year old mare How D My Valentine.
He was also reserve high point in the open and youth solid pinto speed events. After the show, both brothers were recognized at the yearend HOPE Christmas party as the 2019 HOPE High Point Youth with Julius winning in the 14-18 year old division and Robert in the 13 and under division. The brothers won 2019 HOPE High Point jackets and were elected HOPE youth officers for 2020. While Julius and Robert are finished competing in horse shows for 2019, they are looking forward to competing at the next combined HOPE and MSPHA show, which will be at the Lauderdale Country Agri-Center in April.
For further information about the upcoming spring horse show, individuals can refer to the HOPE Facebook page.
