The organizers for Back To Berrien brought exhibitors a number of different concepts to the show schedule from a "Numbered" Western Pleasure to Open and Non-Pro 3D Western Pleasure to an individual gait-judged class. The “Numbered Five Western Pleasure” used rider and horse lifetime earnings through June 1, and assigned a number to the riders of 1 with earnings of up to $50,000, 2 to the riders who has earned $50,001 to $100,000, 3 to the riders who has earned $101,000 to $150,000 and 4 to riders who have earned $150,001 and up. Similarly, horses were assigned a number of 1 up to $5,000 in lifetime earnings, 2 of earnings from earnings of $5,001 to $30,000, 3 to horses earning $30,001 to $50,000 and 4 to horses earnings $50,001 or more. 

To eligible to compete in the class, the rider number plus the horse number was required to total five or less. The class featured a $1,000 added purse and was held during the AQHA Special Event on Wednesday.

“The Numbered Western Pleasure was held earlier in the show on one of our weather days, so we showed it in the covered arena,” Gil explained. “With that concept, a higher earning rider needed to show a lower earning horse, or a lower earning rider could show a higher earning horse. It was well supported. I think we’ll continue to have it in the future.”

Chad Piper showed The Best No Doubt for owner J. M. Jonard and earned the first place check of $584.90. “I like the concept because it does even the playing field a little bit,” he said. “I don’t make my living on futurity horses, so the horses that I show generally have not won as much money. It was nice to have that opportunity to show in that group.”

Travis Duit earned fourth in the class showing Fredericka for Kylie Craven. “When you first read the rules, you didn’t know how it was going to end up, but once we warmed up and I saw everyone there, I think it ended up being a really even class,” he said. “It was super balanced and it was a good class. I was impressed – you didn’t have one clear winner. They are thinking outside the box and attempting these new classes, and it seems to be working. It looks fair when you see it placed.”

“I think it’s a good concept,” added Mark Katafiasz (pictured at left), who placed sixth. “We show against the same Green horses, the same 10K horses against each other, and it gives an opportunity to create some balance even within your own barn. It’s a clear way to track it and make something out of it.”

Continuing a class structure that debuted in 2025, Back To Berring again offered a 3D payout in its $10,000 Added Mid-South Arthramid Classic Three Year Old Open Western Pleasure. The 3D, 2D and 1D eligibility was determined by Rider lifetime earnings through June 1, 2026, and divided evenly between the exhibitors.

Tony Schurmann showed Friday After Five to fifth place in the 3D division and won the 1D division, earning $1,447 for owner Steve Strickland. “We like to enter to enter the 3D class, because it seems like the 3D class is broken down to where you’re competing against a smaller bracket of people, and it makes it a little more fair across the board,” he said

We like showing in the Open and the Intermediate, but that 3D class brings it down to the exact people that are on the same level as you are – and the purse money is outstanding. I just started concentrating on the futurities over the past couple of years, so having this class has been great.”

Chad also showed in the 3D class aboard The Best No Doubt. “I feel the 3D for the Non-Pro and the Open is the fairest of all the new concepts,” he said. “You’re not limiting someone who has made money and force them to a lesser horse. I had a great horse that I showed and I won the 2D and I was third in the 3D, so I was able to pull from that purse – in all reality, I won more money than the strictly 3D champion. From my perspective, after watching the 3D in the Non-Pro and showing in the Open 3D earlier in the week, the 3D seems to be the fairest way to go.

"Every person here with Back To Berrien makes a living showing this, and I love what they’re doing. From the managers, to the show staff, they did an amazing job.”

Like Chad, Mark Katafiasz showed in both the Numbered class and the 3D class. “What I love is that for the 1s and the 2s, you can place up into the 2 or 3 purse if you placed higher overall in the class, but even for the 3D, even though it’s only one level being paid out, it pays really well so the good return on investment for the entry fee is really good,” he said. “The lower divisions being able to place up is really good – I won the 1D, placed second in 2D and was third in 3D, my check was just under $7,000. Ropers and Barrel Racers have been doing this 3D concept for a long time, and it has worked well, and it’s a proven concept.

“I know that giving the owners the recognition takes time, but they are so appreciative of having their moment. Berrien has a bit of a grass roots feel and we’re excited to support it. Everyone who comes loves it.

“These are the type of ideas that lead to where we go next in this industry. I think this is the place where you can do these experiments. Even a class like the 50 & Over Three Year Old Western Pleasure, it was  one of the biggest classes, and those people are also the biggest supporters of our industry, so it makes sense to have it.” 

Drew DeBuhr was one of the 2D exhibitors. “t makes it a fair playing field when you see those groupings,” he said. “I think it gives you a psychological boost, and I definitely think it helped the number of entries in both the Open and the Non-Pro classes they did it in. I thought it was a very positive addition.”