We launched an awesome contest for those in attendance at the Nutrena American Eventing Championships this weekend, challenging contestants to decorate their stall or golf carts with the most insanity they could possibly manage.
We’re happy to report that our entrants were most definitely up to the challenge and delivered some of the craziest, most fun decorations we’ve ever seen. We’re thinking that this might have to be a perennial contest – what do you think, EN?
Our first place winners hail from BABS Eventing out of Great Falls, Virginia. We profiled Ashley Russell’s incredible story here on EN a few days ago, and she and her cohorts took their golf cart decorations to the next level. Judge Laine Ashker was beside herself with the skeleton (“Babs”), the C4 belt, and all of the pink she could handle. Way to steal the judge’s heart, Team BABS!
Team BABS for the win! Photo by Sally Spickard.
Ashley and the rest of Team BABS came away with plenty of loot from our generous sponsors: Cosequin, FLAIR, Success Equestrian, Do or Do Knot, and Smart Tie. Enjoy your spoils, Ashley!
That’s a winner! Ashley Russell and Laine Ashker. Photo by Sally Spickard.
The rest of the competition was close, making for a very tough decision for Laine. Not to be outdone, our second placed finisher hails from Minnesota, so they did a fun take on a northern theme for their golf cart.
A modern horse-drawn sleigh? Photo by Sally Spickard.
Decorated by Bill and Ingvill Ramberg and Jennifer Stevens, this cart looks like a modern take on the horse-drawn sleigh – something that’s probably much needed during those cold Minnesota winters!
Photo by Sally Spickard.
And last, but certainly not least, we had an appearance from the world’s cutest minions on our third placed entry. Decorated by Bigtime Eventing, consisting of Lauren Eckardt, Leila Saxe, Carla Jimmerson, and Annie Stolberg, this golf cart had two minions at the helm and plenty of color to stand out in the crowd.
How did they manage to see out the back? Photo by Sally Spickard.
Here’s where I share an embarrassing tidbit with you, EN: I actually have a massive phobia of balloons. I think I had some sort of traumatic (or as traumatic as you can get with balloons!) experience as a youngster and always feel some anxiety when I’m in close range. Luckily, I had Laine with me to judge so I didn’t have to get too close!
Look at those minion smiles! Photo by Sally Spickard.
All of the winners were thrilled to receive their prizes, rightfully so! We’re so happy to have had the chance to see everyone’s creativity. Once again, we’d like to extend a huge thank you to our sponsors who made this contest possible, as well as to Laine Ashker for taking the time out of her busy schedule to help out. We can’t wait to do it all again next year.
Ingvill Ramberg enjoys her prize. Photo by Sally Spickard.
Much more still to come from the AECs, so keep it locked right here on EN!
