Announcing the release of a new book titled, “The Legendary Appaloosa,” by Cheryl Dudley, and published by Lyons Press.
“The Legendary Appaloosa” holds something for everyone, from the trail rider to the cutter; reiner to racer; rancher to rodeo fan; from breeder to exhibitor to historian to therapeutic rider—to just plain Appaloosa lover. Aside from the breed’s distinctively unique color patterns, that all-around ability is what makes the Appaloosa such an incredible subject for this new book.
“The Legendary Appaloosa” has over 160 full-color photos of some of the breed’s most fascinating horses, including one full chapter dedicated to foals. You’ll read some heart-warming stories written by Appaloosa owners, and learn about the origins of the horse, whose name derived from the Palouse country in north Idaho, home of the Appaloosa’s international registry. You’ll learn about showing, breeding, and trail riding, and the reason why people who own Appaloosas feel so passionately about the breed. The book will be available in June at all major bookstores and through the Appaloosa Horse Club.
Earlier, we reported that Cornell University had released a test for the hereditary disease HERDA, found predominantly in Quarter Horses but also reported to have occurred in Appaloosas with lineage to the Quarter Horse stallion Poco Bueno and his close relatives. Zippo Pine Bar, whose bloodline remains popular in several breeds, including the Appaloosa, is just one of Poco Bueno’s many descendants.
The University of California-Davis has now also released a test for the disease. The university’s study of a control group suggested that 3.5 percent of Quarter Horses are heterozygous carriers of the disease. Because carriers don’t show symptoms of the disease, which include loose skin, lesions and inability for wounds to heal, owners and breeders rarely know they have a carrier. The disease itself manifests when a carrier is bred to another carrier, and the resulting foal inherits a copy of the HERDA-causing gene from each parent.
Most symptomatic horses diagnosed with HERDA are euthanized because they aren’t able to be ridden and have a low quality of life due to the condition of the skin, scarring and lesions along their backs. Horses don’t typically show symptoms until they are 2 years old.
The DNA test is available through the UC-Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. Further information, including pricing for the test, can be found at www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/service/horse/HERDA.html.
Less than a month remains for Appaloosa fans to make travel plans for attending the 60th National Appaloosa Show and World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show in Oklahoma City. Although pre-entries closed May 10, post entries still are being accepted, and those who’ll attend the show as spectators only will want to book flights and/or lodging soon.
This year’s show will be an anniversary celebration of the longest-running single-breed horse show in the United States. Now spread around the world, the Appaloosa breed was rescued from obscurity by a handful of pioneer breeders whose first National Show, two years after the end of World War II, drew 50 horses to a small fairgrounds in Lewiston, Idaho. The colorfully spotted Appaloosa is now consistently one of the top-10 favorite horse breeds in the country, and the National Show draws over 1,200 horses to the event’s host city.
The 2007 National Show will wrap up a multi-year run in Oklahoma City. Next year, the show moves to Jackson, Mississippi.
This year, the show’s first six days will be centered around competition and social events for contestants 18 years of age and under. A 60th-anniversary reception, honoring breed icons, past champions, Appaloosa Hall of Fame members, and other VIPs, will be held July 4 from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., just prior to the annual ApHC membership meeting. Open and adult non-pro competition will round out the show’s second week.
Throughout the show’s run, the Best of the West Gift Expo will feature thousands of items, including tack, fine jewelry, furniture, home décor, apparel, trucks, and horse trailers.
For more information, click on the National Show link at www.appaloosa.com, or call the ApHC Show Department at (208) 882-5578, ext. 400.
We wish you safe travels during this busy weekend on the highways. Whether you’re planning to enjoy horse shows, trail rides, a day at the races or a break in the action, it is also our sincere hope that you’ll pause for just a while. Give a moment of reflection and a huge dose of gratitude for all who have served and are serving in the nation’s military. It is especially important to offer a salute to those who gave their lives so that we might survive and thrive.
It’s been a somber day of reflection and remembrance here in Moscow, Idaho. A memorial service for a local police officer killed last weekend was the focus of our town. Like so many who work every day to preserve the peace, he placed himself on the front line of danger and faced true peril so that the rest of us wouldn’t. Hopefully, we can come up with a bit more than a word of thanks. Perhaps we can summon the energy to do just a few simple things to make the world a safer, saner and more civilized place to be.
Be well and do good.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Two of the nation’s three horse slaughter plants appear likely to remain closed after they were apparently denied reprieve by the state Legislature, then turned away by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Texas House let a deadline of midnight Monday pass without action on a bill that had been expected to authorize the reopening of Dallas Crown Inc. in Kaufman and Beltex Corp. in Fort Worth, the Houston Chronicle reported.
In a second blow later Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied hearing the plants’ petition to overturn a federal appeals court ruling that effectively shut down the plants this year.
“We’re very disappointed but not surprised,” said Karin Cagle, a Fort Worth attorney who represents the plants’ Belgian owners.
The other U.S. horse slaughter plant is the Cavel International plant in DeKalb, Ill. A ban on horse slaughter in that state was sent to Gov. Rod Blagojevich last week, and his spokesman has said Blagojevich will likely sign it.
American horse meat is sold mostly in France, Belgium and Japan, where it is considered a delicacy.
You are encouraged to read through the various motions and proposals that will be on the table at the Board of Directors meeting in July. Contact your directors and let them know what you think. But don’t stop at commenting on specific agenda items. Offer your insights and opinions relating to the bigger-picture issues that are especially important to you and your fellow members.
Two bills have been introduced this Congress dealing with Animal ID. The Livestock Identification and Marketing Opportunities Act calls for the establishment of a national identification system for livestock (that does not include horses). The other bill prohibits the institution of a mandatory animal identification system.
For more information visit: www.horsecouncil.org
There have been some calls to the office and to directors about election ballots not being received and even about various conspiracy theories apparently involving ApHC and the U.S. Postal Service. All ballots are handled by an outside auditor and were mailed on the same day, pre-sorted “class A” from Spokane, Washington, per the announced schedule. ApHC obviously has no control after that. Anyone who calls can request that we re-send a ballot, which is then mailed First Class from Lewiston, Idaho. The vote auditor checks each ballot received to strictly avoid any duplicate votes. Again, ApHC has no control over any of that. We categorically deny any claims of discrimination or undue influence! Spread the word.
Russell “Jack” Bowser of Worden, Montana, passed away Wednesday May 9th at the age of 65. Funeral services are this evening (May 16th) and a memorial service will also be held at a later date in his home town of Worthington. His obituary included the following:
His one true love was his Appaloosa horses of which he had many National and World qualifiers over the years. He was a strong advocate for the breed that he loved for over 45 years and was a past president of the Montana Appaloosa Horse Club. His favorite time of the year was foaling season and waiting to see if it was a filly or horse colt and what the color pattern would be. He loved nothing better than to walk people out to the pasture and show them his horses, as everyone knew he always had top bloodlines.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make a donation to the Jack Bowser Memorial Appaloosa Award fund. Memorials can be sent to 515 Cook Ave., Billings, MT 59101.
Approximately 70 riders (including crew members) participated in last week’s Apache Land Trail Ride, one of the “big four” ApHC-sponsored rides. The setting was the dramatically scenic Chihenne Ranch near Winston, New Mexico. Many thanks to Greg Evans, his family and crew for such great hospitality. I was able to find my way into the saddle for Thursday afternoon and Friday portions of the ride. It felt really good to be out in a region that has changed very little and offers a genuine historical perspective. Also a big thanks to Hugh Williams who coordinated the many details and managed the ride. I’ll have a couple of photos to share soon, including an awards ceremony for “Doctor John” and others.
Are you acquainted with a former National Appaloosa Queen or Miss
Appaloosa America? If so, please give us a hand! As part of our
celebration plans for the 60th National Show, we want to invite and honor
as many past queens as we can locate–but with name changes, non-updated address changes, and the sheer passage of time, we aren’t able to find them all ourselves. Supply your info-leads to ApHC’s Merida McClanahan,
(208) 882-5578, ext. 235, e-mail mmcclanahan@appaloosa.com.
Whether you plan to compete or not, here’s a way to be part of the
upcoming 60th National Appaloosa Horse Show, and 2007 World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show, June 25 - July 7 in Oklahoma City: Sponsor a class!
It’s a great way to increase exposure for your farm or stallion, to honor
a loved one’s memory, to surprise a friend, or to simply contribute to
this landmark Appaloosa event. Class sponsors are recognized with
announcements during the show, on the top-10 results page on
www.appaloosa.com, and in the “National Network” publication distributed
daily at the show. Bonus: Half the amount of all Youth World Show
sponsorships are recognized as donations to the Appaloosa Youth
Association. Cost to sponsor one class is $100; each additional class is
$50. For details, contact ApHC’s Merida McClanahan, (208) 882-5578, ext.
235, e-mail mmcclanahan@appaloosa.com.
I am in the Fort Worth area for National Pedigreed Livestock Council annual meeting this week. Representatives from equine, beef, dairy, swine, and goats/sheep organizations share information and common concerns. Topics on the agenda include discussions of animal identification, export marketing, strategic planning, lobbying, genetics research and other issues we can work on together.
Arrived in time yesterday to stop by the Dal-Worth Spring Spectacular Appaloosa show in Alvarado. I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with club leaders, exhibitors and assorted new friends. The show was rated as a good one (69 - or so - entries in trail). Thanks to everyone who shared thoughts, opinions and ideas. Your input is appreciated, but I especially value the ongoing commitment to our breed. Here’s hoping we can all find ways to support each other and all our interests.
Dignataries at the recent Australian National Appaloosa Show include, L to R:
John Etcell, AAA board member; Allan Smith, Mayor of Dubbo, Australia; Don Northey, AAA board member; Dennis Dean, ApHC President and show judge; Frank Larrabee, ApHC director/past-president and chair of the ApHC International
Appaloosa youth are being asked in the May issue of Appaloosa Journal to nominate their mom to be “Queen for a Day” at the World Championship Youth Show in Oklahoma City. Moms selected to be Queen will have their nomination letter printed in the Network on their day, will be asked to present awards in the arena, and will be featured in the September issue of Appaloosa Journal. To nominate a great show mom, send a letter telling us why she should be named Queen for a Day. Letters should be sent to Mandi Knapp, Youth Coordinator at mknapp@appaloosa.com. Winners will be drawn June 15.
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