A Texas horse show in November has proven to offer some of the best weather for competing. The Dallas Harvest Horse Show is held at Texas's premier show facility, the Texas Rose Horse Park. The sold out show will run through November 9, 2008.

Habitat for Horses and the Dallas Harvest Horse have partnered up for the second year in a row to raise money for the wonderful equine organization. Habitat for Horses is one of the countries largest horse protection organizations. While they adopt an average of 300 horses out to forever homes per year, they also have another goal.

Horse ownership and awareness education is a large part of what they do. Doing their part to teach the proper way to care for and train horses has helped to decrease the amount of horse they have to seize. Major supporters of Habitat for Horses include country singing legends Willie Nelson and Toby Keith.

The silent auction was in full swing this evening. A partial silent auction was opened last night during the $15,000 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby. The full silent auction opened during the Saturday Night Exhibitor Dinner located in The Saloon.

Items for bid included a $15,000 Phelps Media Group, Inc. PR Media Package, two custom saddles donated by Cheryl Crow, signed Willie Nelson memorabilia, Tyler Plastic Surgery gift packages, jewelry, sculptures, an Olympic souvenir package, and much more. All the proceeds from tonight's auction will directly benefit the wonderful organization of Habitat for Horses.

The last two classes of the day were the Low and High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumpers. The course was designed by the talented and distinguished Anthony D'Ambrosio. Table 2b was used in both classes.

Coming out on top was up-and-coming jumper rider Eirin Bruheim of Nordic Lights Farm. A newer establishment, Houston-based Nordic Lights Farm has already built a reputation for owning and housing top hunters and jumpers. Bruheim is trained by Mike McCormick and Sherre Sims, who have also had their turn in the winners spotlight this week.

Bruheim won the class aboard MTM Trans Atlantic, who is owned by MTM Farm. According to McCormick, the horse has only been in Texas for four days, and he is already winning.

Bruheim finished with a clean time of 34.461 in the jump off. She galloped everywhere, so that is where she thinks she made up the most time.

"He is really fun. As long as you go for a spot and you know that it is there, he will pretty much take it. He has the heart to do anything," said Bruheim. The course rode hard today. I had another horse in it and we had a stop. It was kind of difficult, but I think the second time I got it a little more. There were a lot of technical lines that you had to be on your game to ride."

In the High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumpers, winning the class was none other than Bruheim, this time aboard her own horse Je M'Applle Chester. The pair clocked in for the win with a jump off time of 33.924. She was the only one in the class to make it to the second round. Not only was she first in the class, she was second as well.

"He is a really cool horse. We brought him back from Germany about two years ago. He did some grand prixs until I got good enough to ride him," said Bruheim. Now, he just goes around, and he is a champion. He is a bundle of muscle. You kick him and his stride changes from eight feet to one hundred feet. He is so predictable and strong."

Tomorrow wraps up the final day of competition for the Dallas Harvest Horse Show. On the agenda will be the $25,000 Harvest Grand Prix benefiting Habitat for Horses, which is scheduled to begin at noon. Accompanying the grand prix will be a catered Sunday Brunch for exhibitors while proceeds go to Habitat for Horses. Following the grand prix will be the $2,500 Children's/Adult Jumper Classic.

Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper

1. MTM Trans Atlantic, MTM Farm, Eirin Bruheim, 0/0/34.461
2. Bandersnatch, Elizabeth Kigin, Alexandra Ansteth, 0/0/37.022
3. Paolina, Sleepy P Ranch, Wilton Porter, 0/0/39.159
4. Opportunity Knocks, Nigel Potts, Nigel Potts, 0/4/31.847
5. Ulona, Beth Von Brecht, Beth Von Brecht, 0/4/33.833
6. I'm Lovin' It, Heather Howland, Heather Howland, 0/8/39.987

High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper

1. Je M'Appelle Chester, Nordic Lights Farm, Eirin Bruheim, 0/0/33.924
2. MTM Valhall, MTM Farm, Eirin Bruheim, 4/59.040
3. CR Aryenne, Brett Gage, Brett Gage, 4/63.114
4. Schefferkes Solo, Olivia Herbert, Olivia Herbert, 4/64.073

For more information, please visit www.southboundshows.com

For full results, please visit www.horseshowsonline.com

For more information and to view adoptable horses, please visit www.habitatforhorses.org

Eirin Bruheim and MTM Trans Atlantic, winners of the Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper class. Bruheim was also the winner of the High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper class. Photo (C) 2008 Jenny Underwood/PMG

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