Jaime Luce-Bartles (top, left) and husband Jim Bartels invite equine enthusiasts of all ages to join them at their farm above Meshoppen on Sept. 11 for a horse show and fundraiser to honor the late Jim Luce (above with his dog, Oakie) and increase awareness of melanoma cancer.
The second annual James “Jim” Luce Memorial Show will be held at Blue Stone Valley Acres, Meshoppen, on Friday, Sept. 11 at 6 pm. Proceeds from the Gymkhana Series equine event will benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation in honor of Jim Luce, who lost his battle to melanoma cancer in 2019.
According to Luce’s daughter, Jaime Luce-Bartles, who owns and manages Blue Stone Valley Acres with her husband, Jim Bartels, almost $7,000 was raised last year.
There will be basket raffles, and some nice antique raffle items donated by local residents, including a wood cook stove and a bench. Organizers plan 50/50 drawings and other fundraising activities. Food will be available for purchase. “It usually goes on into the wee hours of the morning,” Jim Bartles said of the event. “But we try to draw the raffles around 9.”
Classes cover all age groups from Little Junior (7 to 12) to Jack Benny (39 and older), as well as Open. Contests will include Keyhole, Poles, Barrels, Dash for Cash, Bleeding Heart, and a bonus game. All riders under 18 must wear a helmet. Proof of UTD coggins and rabies vaccinations are required, and all participants must sign a release form.
Jaime and Jim were grateful for the amazing turnout last year and hope to repeat their success and even maybe see the event grow. “We are a small business on a dead-end road,” Jim recalls. “We had no idea it would get that big.”
There is free admission and parking. For more information, follow Blue Stone Valley Acres on Facebook or email Jaime at bluepaisley13@yahoo.com.
