The 2011 Riders’ Cup has added 39 horse shows thus far and is continuing to receive applications each week during the season.  Last year over 90 horse shows participated in the program that allows professional riders’ the opportunity to gain points in open classes that have a jackpot payout at the end of the year.

Leading the standings as of May 17, 2011 is 2010 winner Jimmy McConnell.  McConnell has amassed 9,680 points in 32 classes thus far in 2011.  In second place is Charlie Green, who also finished reserve in the 2010 final standings.  Green trails McConnell by 1,690 points.  Rounding out the top five are Tim Smith, Knox Blackburn and Edgar Abernathy.  Brock Tillman, Joe Cotten, Bill Cantrell, John Allan Callaway and Dick Peebles occupy sixth through tenth.

All horse shows that are affiliated horse shows are eligible to participate in the Riders’ Cup.  Horse shows can add Riders’ Cup classes for a $100 affiliation fee and $10 additional entry fee in those Riders’ Cup classes.  For more information contact the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association office.

The Smoky Mountain Classic, Petersburg, and Northeast Georgia horse shows this weekend (May 20-21) are affiliated with Riders’ Cup and the upcoming Spring Fun Show in Shelbyville, Tenn. on May 26-28 will be a double-point Riders’ Cup show.