No need to report the weather, it’s a re-run. It’s been a bright day anyway because we’ve had the opportunity to host our challenged rider leadline class and now we’re enjoying the “other” leadline class. I must tell you that I’m extra proud of the warm reception our Appaloosa audience gave to the challenged riders. I’m also thinking that anyone who complains about stall assignments, practice hours or traffic flow at the fairgrounds is probably feeling less intense about their issues after watching a military veteran participate in a challenged rider class. It’s just about too much to ponder.
By Juli S. Thorson
A member of the ApHC Hall of Fame since 1995, Laura Boggio Sordahl Brest has a well-earned reputation as a breed trailblazer. She became involved with Appaloosas in 1954, when she co-founded the Double A Ranch in Clyde Park, Montana. Her mare, Dark Shadow, produced two of the early great Appaloosa mares, Fire Opal of AA and Navajo Turquoise of AA – horses whose own produce included Fire Darter, a 1962 National Show reining champion with legendary trainer Bill Horn, and Little Navajo Joe, a stellar sire.
Along with her prowess as a breeder, Laura enjoyed great success in the show arena, winning many national championships. Her first was in ladies’ Western pleasure, at the ’54 National Show in Deer Lodge, Montana. It was at her urging that the ApHC added English classes to its shows; when she started, only Western classes were available.
Laura was one of the first women to become an approved ApHC judge, and she continued to judge for three decades. She helped launch several regional clubs, including the Montana, Center of the Nation, West River, Mon-Dak, and Southern Oklahoma groups.
She also passed her love of Appaloosas to her two daughters, Day and Stacey. Bother served on the Appaloosa Youth Association boards of directors. Stacey was 1985’s Miss Appaloosa America, and now serves on the ApHC board. Today, Laura makes her home in Texas where she’s surrounded by memorabilia from over half a century’s worth of Appaloosa involvement.
Be sure to greet this 60th National Show VIP as the ApHC thanks her for her contributions.
The excitement of competing — and occasionally winning ribbons and trophies — is not dampened by the weather in OKC this week. The Appaloosa Youth Association and youth exhibitors have renewed friendships, compared notes on horses and summertime activities, and spent some long hours with their equine pals.
The third photo from the left shows Debby Letham, ApHC director, receiving the Youth Supporter of the Year award from AYA. On the far right are winners in the AYA Speech Contest from earlier in the week.
The Land of Enchantment was the site for the American Horse Publications annual awards presentations held on June 23, 2007, during the AHP “Fiesta del Caballo” Seminar in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The coveted General Excellence Award is presented to publications who fulfill their statement of purpose and show excellence in editorial content and design. The General Excellence Association Magazine circulation 15,000 and over class winner was Appaloosa Journal, a monthly international breed specific magazine, with honorable mention to Paint Horse Journal, an official publication of the American Paint Horse Association, and The American Quarter Horse Journal, an official publication of the American Quarter Horse Association.
Member publications achieving multiple honors in a variety of categories included The American Quarter Horse Journal with 11 awards; Paint Horse Journal with 9 awards; Performance Horse with 8 awards; The Florida Horse and Thoroughbred Times with 7 awards each; Horse & Rider, EQUUS and Practical Horseman with 6 awards; Appaloosa Journal, Barrel Horse News; Equine Veterinary Management, Quarter Horse News, and The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal with 5 awards each.
Affiliate members who authored articles entered by Publication Members included: Jessica Jahiel for two articles published in Equine Veterinary Management; Cheryl Dudley for her winning instructional series published in Appaloosa Journal; Denise Steffanus for her article published in The Florida Horse; and Tracy Gantz for her Service to the Reader articles published in Paint Horse Journal and Performance Horse.
Participation in this year’s contest represented 113 AHP members and 1,006 entries. Held since 1977, the AHP Annual Awards Contest provides members with an opportunity to be recognized for excellence in equine publishing as well as professional critiques for improvement. A complete list of the winners is available online at the AHP website and is included in the 2007 Annual Awards Program, which is being mailed to all AHP members.
American Horse Publications is a non-profit association of over 450 members including publications primarily devoted to the equine animal and related lifestyles, as well as professionals, students, associations, and businesses which share an interest in equine publishing. AHP has continued throughout its 37-year history to promote better understanding and communication within the equine publishing industry.
visit the AHP website at www.americanhorsepubs.org.
It’s another day of excellent quality in the Appaloosa classes for youth exhibitors. As I told the Youth Association members earlier, they’re not just the future of ApHC, they represent the mission and goals of our organization today. We’ve seen plenty of really good horses and a group of terrific young people. They make Western Equitation look pretty easy. The judges are sorting through a line-up of mostly young ladies who really handle themselves and their Appaloosas well (I’m told it takes longer these days to “fit” and dress the riders than it does to clean, saddle and warm up a horse).
Stay tuned to the Web cam and stop by for another update. Maybe I’ll find some boys to talk to!
If you’re counting on me for good quality photos from the Youth World Championship — you probably shouldn’t. I’ll work on borrowing a few though, so stay tuned.
Day Three — we managed to work through the logistics of running two concurrent showmanship classes in one ring. After the initial learning curve, it went smoothly. I’m back in the main arena watching walk/trot keyhole racing for the 10 and under youth. Pretty fun. Kids and their horses are having a good time in OKC. They seem oblivious to the rain, mud and distractions. There’s just something about the bright smiles and friendly competition that is really encouraging.
Exhibitors, their fan clubs and the show staff had another long evening on Tuesday, but with the usual determination (and for many, the required dosage of caffeine) everyone is back at it today. Strangely enough, it’s another cool day in OKC.
I had the opportunity to brag about our youth exhibitors during a live radio interview this morning. We’re hoping to put a wide range of small but consistent pieces of the marketing puzzle together as we go forward.
More news as I gather it. I haven’t checked today, but we’ll get an earlier start on posting each day’s edition of the National Show Network on the ApHC website. Show results are getting posted regularly though, so visit often.
Day one of the ApHC Youth World Championship Show is complete. It’s refreshing and inspiring to watch our younger members compete while having plenty of fun. Despite the occasional rain shower, fairgrounds construction and long days, folks are tuned into the horses and high levels of performance.
I’m told we have approximately 1,100 horses on the grounds. Even better, we have lots of families working and striving together. The only apparent stress (besides the show staff) seems to be manifested in the parents and trainers who experience each class from the other side of the rail. There’s also plenty of support for all the exhibitors, plenty of enthusiasm and energy, and plenty of good memories being made.
Be sure to check out appaloosa.com pages for daily results.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Jim Shoulders, who built his name as a rodeo cowboy and achieved added fame as a beer pitchman, died Wednesday. He was 79.
Shoulders, who lived in Henryetta, had a longtime heart ailment, son Marvin Paul Shoulders said.
“He was the Babe Ruth of rodeo,” his son said. “Besides being one of the greatest rodeo cowboys, he was a great man.”
Jim Shoulders won 16 world championships, the most of any rodeo cowboy, and was a charter member of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
Years after riding his final bull, Shoulders starred with former Yankees manager Billy Martin in popular ads for Miller Lite.
Shoulders, who was born in Tulsa in 1928, was 14 when he entered his first rodeo and 21 when he won his first world title in 1949. He ended up with five world championships in all-around, seven in bull riding and four bareback.
Shoulders was “the best rodeo cowboy ever,” said Jim Bainbridge, a spokesman for the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Shoulders was also reserve champion 10 times, including four second-place finishes in the all around.
Shoulders was riding until a few months ago.
“He did not have to suffer,” his son said. “He wasn’t the kind of person who would handle that real good.”
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Shoulders; son, Marvin Paul Shoulders, and three daughters.
Steve’s note: I know he’s not necessarily an Appaloosa guy, but Jim Shoulders is a hero to lots of us anyway.
George Hatley has improved enough following last week’s stroke to be
released from the hospital and moved to a rehabilitation facility in
Moscow, Idaho. There, he will undergo therapy for regaining his
speech, lost as a result of the stroke’s effects. He’s expected to
remain there for several weeks.
George’s friend and regular visitor, Juli Thorson, reports that his
spirits and physical strength are strong. “George is really taking
great pleasure in the e-mailed ‘get well’ messages he’s received from
other Appaloosa lovers around the world,” says Juli. “He looks
forward to each day’s new batch of printed messages.” Messages may be
sent to George via Juli’s e-mail address, justhorson@aol.com.
Board member Glenn Popelka, Allyn, Washington, is recovering from an “equine incident.” He managed to break a few bones and will be hobbled for quite a while. Glenn says it sounds worse than it is, but we suspect he’s being brave. Our best wishes to Glenn during his recuperation.
The American Horse Council’s latest “Tax Bullentin” includes information about the recently released IRS fact sheet entitled “Business or Hobby? Answer Has Implications for Deductions.” The IRS says it is to remind taxpayers to follow appropriate guidelines when determining whether an activity is a business or a hobby, an activity not engaged in for profit. This fact sheet is directed toward all types of activities, not just horse-related endeavors. Generally, an activity qualifies as a business if it is carried on with the reasonable expectation of earning a profit (that may leave out quite a few of us).
Another item from the newsletter cautions about business activity conducted in states other than where you reside or are based. It is very important for horse owners to keep their tax advisors informed of any business activity they conduct in other states. Otherwise unnecessary costs can be incurred because in a lot of cases taxpayers who do not address the tax issues of nonresident states are not contacted by the state until years after the return should have been filed and the tax paid, if any. By that time penalties and interest have been assessed and in some cases additional professional fees are incurred in order to resolve the matter.
R Ms Kitty, a two-year-old Appaloosa filly, bred and owned by Jeff Adams of Oklahoma, won The Appaloosa Americana Stakes June 3rd at Remington Park. The filly ran the 350-yard race in :17.886, a 92 speed index, and won $17,500.
Breed pioneer George Hatley, 82, is hospitalized in his hometown of Moscow, Idaho, after suffering a stroke June 13. He’s able to walk, and has use of his hands, but at present is unable to speak. His doctors are still evaluating the full extent of the stroke’s effects and determining George’s best therapeutic options.
Get-well wishes may be mailed to George, c/o Gritman Medical Center, 700 S. Main, Moscow, ID 83843. Or, send e-mails to justhorson@aol.com; that address is for family friend Juli Thorson, who’s offered to print and take e-mails to George while he’s undergoing treatment and recovery.
According to Juli, who’s visited George daily since his hospitalization, he’s showing steady signs of improvement, and responds well to supportive messages from his fellow Appaloosa enthusiasts.
L-R = Hugh Williams, ride manager; Mike Howard, scout and wisdom dispenser; Dr. John Corpolongo and Joy, Doc was awarded a custom buckle in honor of 100 ApHC rides!; on the trail in New Mexico.
Think Tank Explores Issues and Concerns Facing Halter Horse Industry
(ApHC has initiated some of these same discussions, but it truly is an industry-wide concern that deserves attention).
(Fort Worth, Texas) More than 40 concerned halter horse owners, breeders and trainers from nine states gathered in Tioga, Tex., May 29-30 for a think tank strategy meeting to discuss issues facing the halter horse industry and methods for response, including the forming of an organization to address industry matters.
”Our industry is to the point where we have to think beyond the next horse show or breeding season,” said Peter Cofrancesco, III, of Sparta, N.J., one of the organizers of the event. “This group did a lot of hard work over 24 hours and I believe this meeting will be remembered as an historical day in the horse industry when a foundational segment of the horse industry got together and pro-actively addressed its issues, taking ownership over what it needs to do to see things improve.”
Facilitated by Julie Bryant, president of Latigo Associates of Fort Worth, Tex., and featuring Ohio Quarter Horse Association Executive Vice President Denny Hales of Richwood, Ohio, attendees worked through a series of exercises to examine its issues and develop a mission statement, along with a vision statement and values for the fledgling organization.
”The group determined that its purpose is not only to promote the halter horse segment, but to bring back the value of good conformation in the horse, regardless of the discipline it might be involved in,” Cofrancesco added. “As we move forward, you will begin to hear more about the conformation horse from this group.”
Named as committee chairmen during the meeting were governance committee chair Jodi Sullivan, Maumee, Ohio; finance committee chairman Dick Donnelly, LaPorte City, Iowa; membership and development committee chair Dorn Parkinson, Prescott, Ariz., and Candace Jussen, marketing committee chair of Pilot Point, Tex.
Committees are currently working to develop articles of incorporation, by-laws, a permanent name for the group, which is now being referred to as the Conformation Horse Alliance, member fees and benefits and a logo.
The group plans to officially launch the organization on October 17 during the All American Quarter Horse Congress, although Cofrancesco indicated information would be available before that date. He emphasized that the group will work with all breeds.
”We are currently exploring the feasibility of holding regional meetings to be able to share what work we?ve done and get more feedback from the industry,” he said.
For more information, contact Julie Bryant at 817-443-0686 or julie@golatigo.com.
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