Eric Rhoten, 17, of Cloverdale took first place in a juvenile classic pleasure class.

"All the money from this show will go to therapeutic riding centers in the area," said Judy Hart, show manager at Crossroads.

One of the benefiting centers is Hope Haven in Coatesville.

Jason Cagle of Greencastle shows one of eight horses he brought to the show during a men's show pleasure class.

Among the riders in the show was Jason Cagle, 31, who owns High Mark Stable in Greencastle. Cagle brought eight horses to the Blue Denim show. He has owned his own stables for a year.

"I was raised around horses and have shown them pretty much all my life," he said.

Also showing in several classes was Eric Rhoten, 17, of Cloverdale.

Rhoten rides and helps out at Easy Gait Farms in Stilesville, and has shown in four Special Olympics shows as well as a prior Blue Denim show.

He is home schooled and has been riding since he was 7.

"I really like riding and helping with the horses," he said, flushed and excited after a first place finish in one of his classes.

Crossroads is owned by Jim Skinner, Brent McCammack and Steve Jackson. The venue opened on March 1, and a few weekends ago hosted an American Quarter Horse Association show -- its biggest event to date.

"We have 500 stalls, and they were all full," said Skinner. "We had to rent 75 additional. It was huge. You have to figure there were 500 horses, so there were at least 750 people. There were campers parked all around here."

An Indiana Quarter Horse Association event will be held at Crossroads on Independence Day weekend, Skinner said.

Crossroads Arena is located at 253 W. Stardust Road.

For more information on any events at Crossroads, call (765) 795-4768.