Approximately 200 riders will be gathering at the Musselshell Work Center near Kamiah, Idaho this weekend for the Chief Joseph Trail Ride. The group will hit the trail on Monday August 6th. This year’s segment of the ride will travel the Lolo Trail, located in the Clearwater National Forest, a remote area between the nearest towns of Kooskia, Idaho and Missoula, Montana. The Lolo Trail area is a National Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. It includes the Lolo Trail Corridor, the Nez Perce and Lewis and Clark National Historic Trails, and the Lolo Motorway.
We’re excited that a writer for Homestead Magazine, a John Deere publication, will be doing a story on the ride. Our resident photographer Kevin Pullen will undoubtedly be providing some great pictures as well.
From: American Horse Council
Date: July 25, 2007
Timely Response is Needed
The House of Representative is scheduled to vote on the 2008 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill (H.R. 3161), which would fund the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Fiscal Year 2008, early next week.
Section 738 of that bill would be devastating because it would cut-off funding for USDA activities important to the horse industry. It would eliminate funding necessary for USDA to operate quarantine facilities and to pay personnel to approve and facilitate the import and export of horses for exhibition, competition, sale or breeding. The bill would not only cut off direct funding to USDA, but also eliminate USDA’s authority to impose user fees, which support the operation of the three major USDA Animal Import Centers and the land border ports along the Canadian and Mexican borders.
We are asking AHC member organizations to contact Members of Congress from their state asking that this provision be removed.
NOTE: Although the language is an apparent attempt by proponents of legislation to end the slaughter of horses for human consumption by taking the USDA out of the process, as was done last year, the language in Section 738 would have a far broader impact and would affect the movement of all horses.
While an individual’s or organization’s position on limiting USDA’s authority to inspect horses for slaughter may be based on their position on the federal bill banning slaughter, the industry should be opposed to this overly-broad limit on USDA’s authority and economic ability to protect animal health through inspection, quarantine and oversight of the movement of all horses.
For more information, visit www.horsecouncil.org.
*According to tax status of ApHC, we are not in the business of lobbying, but individual members are free to express themselves and to communicate directly with their representatives.
“Heartland” is the name of a new limited-edition Breyer model shown here in a photo from Laura Lyon. According to Laura, this is one of the models people waited in line for each morning of the recent Breyerfest event at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. There are only 1250 of this special edition.
There was a terrific Appaloosa presence at the recent Breyerfest at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Thanks to ApHC directors Laura Lyon and Tracy Meisenbach for all their efforts at this event. Laura also gets credit for this photo: Breyerfest Master (or Mistress?) of Ceremonies, Stephanie Macejko, Breyer-Reeves VP of Marketing. She presided over arena activities aboard Little Ricky Rocker.
Janelle Radney receiving the Dee Cole Memorial Sportsmanship Award from Jim and Sandy Jirkovsky at the Youth World Show in OKC. Dennis Dean and Steve Taylor serve as bookends. Photo by Larry Williams.
Janelle Radney - Amazing Courage and an Award Winner
By Diane Rice
For most Youth World Show participants, competing in three classes and the speech contest isn’t all that remarkable. But for 13-year-old Janelle Radney of Wood River, Nebraska, they’re extraordinary feats. Just a few weeks ago, Janelle suffered so much pain that she was unable to walk and had to be carried. Doctors told her she’d never walk, let alone ride at the show. But this week, she showed in western pleasure, western equitation and showmanship, and to top it all off, she won the speech contest.
Janelle suffers from NOMID: neonatal-onset multisystemic inflammatory disease, a condition caused by genetic mutation that, left untreated, causes chronic inflammation and rashes, hearing loss, blindness, kidney failure and limited life span. Two years ago, severe leg pain led her to Shriners Hospital for bone scans and later to the Mayo Clinic where a biopsy indicated NOMID.
She received the first of her treatment regimen of daily injections just four weeks ago. Within four hours, the rash she’d had since birth disappeared. Her treatments, though painful, have brought Janelle relief. She rode for the first time just 10 days ago.
In the speech contest on Sunday, June 24, Janelle said her illness had taught her “…not to judge others by what they look like, but by what they are like on the inside. Looking at my horse, ‘Denny,’ you might think that he isn’t worth a penny, but if you could see his heart and what he is all about, you wouldn’t be able to put a price tag on him.”
Although she didn’t place in the top 10, she did win a personal championship. And her tenacity and heart are an inspiration. “Denny taught me to never lose my confidence and to always believe in myself,” she says—“just like I believe in him.”
Thanks to those of you who forwarded the obituary and other information: We are assuming that condolences can be sent to the ranch address: Clear View Farms, 8177 Day Pike, Maysville, KY 41056.
Maysville – Shelby G. Osborne, 72, passed away Monday, July 23, 2007 as the result of an accident on his Day Pike farm.
Mr. Osborne was born in Lewis County on June 10, 1935 to the late Oscar and Eliza Jane Hook Osborne. He was a well-known insurance agent, serving as an agent for State Farm Insurance Co. since the 1960’s. He was an active member of the Seddon United Methodist Church where he served as worship director and was Chairman of the Board of Directors. He was a member of the Gideon’s International, the Concord Masonic Lodge, and was a Kentucky Colonel. He loved gospel music and horses and was a lifetime member of the Appaloosa Horse Club.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Phyllis Wilson Osborne; one son, Shelby L. Osborne and his wife Brigid of Maysville; two daughters, Sabrina Osborne of Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, and Andi Ream and her husband Andrew of Maysville; two grandsons Tyler Ream and Dylan Osborne; one granddaughter, Aly Osborne; one sister Phyllis Stanfield and one brother Davie Osborne both of Tollesboro.
Three brothers, Delmar, Wendell, and Lowell Osborne and one sister Wanda Rankin preceded him in death.
Services for Shelby G. Osborne will be held Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Seddon United Methodist Church with Rev. Charles Shoemaker and Rev. Mason Harrod officiating. Burial will follow in the Hillcrest Garden of Memories.
Visitation will be after 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Church.
Pallbearers will be Tyler Ream, Dylan Osborne, Andrew Ream, Johnny Conley, Bill Dearing, David Best, Herb Doyle, Dale Irwin, Harry Sapp, and Raymond Bridges.
In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Seddon United Methodist Church or the Gideon’s International.
(Excerpt from The Ledger Independent, Maysville, Kentucky)
Shelby Osborne Sr. died Monday afternoon in a tragic farming accident.
A well-known insurance agent and farmer in the community, 72-year-old Osborne died after a bull he was attempting to place into a stall charged a gate, which was not yet locked and knocked Osborne back, according to Mason County Sheriff Patrick Boggs.
When he fell, Osborne apparently received an injury to his head. Boggs said it did not appear that the bull had actually had any contact with Osborne.
“I was actually the first one on the scene, and it was rough, because I knew him,” said Boggs, who described Osborne as a “great, great man,” who was very involved in the church and was a gospel singer.
Steve’s note: Most of us know Shelby as the energy and personality behind Clear View Farms Appaloosas. As recently as the National Show in Oklahoma City, Shelby expressed the usual optimism and enthusiasm about the breed and our organization. To say he will be missed is pretty weak. Shelby was a consistently positive promoter and marketer. More importantly, he was a good man who inspired good feelings. Maybe we need to say we’ll not forget his contributions and we’ll try to be more like him.
From: American Horse Council
Last Thursday the House Appropriations Committee approved the funding bill for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Fiscal Year 2008. Included in the bill was language that is apparently intended to prevent USDA personnel from inspecting, certifying or approving horses intended for slaughter. This is an apparent attempt by Members of Congress opposed to the slaughter of horses for human consumption to stop this activity by taking the USDA out of the process, as was done last year.
Overly-Broad Language on Horses
Unfortunately, the language in Section 738 of the bill appears to have a far broader impact than it seems intended to have. It would affect horses not intended for slaughter too. Indeed, as written it could affect the entire horse industry because it would eliminate funding, effective January 1, 2008, for important USDA activities over and above inspecting horses for slaughter. It would eliminate USDA funding for import/export functions of all horses including health certificates, inspections and quarantines. The bill would cut off not only direct funding by the federal government, but also reimbursement by inspected parties, and cooperative agreements with the states, for any of these inspection activities. USDA would be prohibited from expending funds to maintain quarantine facilities and the personnel needed to operate them or to seize diseased or infected animals and materials.
The health and welfare of all horses and the horse industry is based to a large degree on the many safety nets that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has set up to protect the health and well-being of our domestic horse population, not only at the U.S. border, but also within the country. This provision would dramatically impact the authority and ability of the USDA to maintain those protections because it would deny funds for the various inspections required under current federal law for ALL HORSES.
An individual’s or organization’s position on limiting USDA’s authority to inspect slaughter horses may be based on their position on the federal bill banning slaughter. If you support a federal ban, you may support such a limitation. If you oppose a federal ban, you may oppose such a funding limit.
But regardless of your position on a federal ban, the industry should be opposed to any overly-broad limits on USDA’s authority and economic ability to inspect, quarantine and regulate the international and interstate movement of all horses. The industry needs these safeguards to protect the health of all horses, keep them moving and ensure their availability for breeding, racing, showing, and recreation.
Clarification Needed
Efforts will be made to clarify this language and its effect on all horses before the bill goes to the House floor, scheduled for July 30.
Please call with any questions.
Washington DC 20006 . 202-296-4031
Fax 202-296-1970
Email: AHC@horsecouncil.org
Web Address: www.horsecouncil.org
News from writer and filmmaker Shannan Keenan: Colorado loves TRAIL END!
In addition to being accepted to the Crested Butte Reel Fest, TRAIL END has also been accepted to the TriMedia Film Festival in Fort Collins, Colorado and the Estes Park Film Festival in Estes Park, Colorado. The TriMedia Film Festival runs September 7-9 and the Estes Park Film Festival is the following weekend, September 14-16. Screening dates and times will be announced soon.
The Crested Butte Reel Fest screening is scheduled for Friday, August 10, 6PM at the Majestic Theatre in Crested Butte, Colorado. Several of the crew and family members will be attending.
Kansas City screening is Saturday, August 4, 11AM at the Glenwood Arts Theatre (9575 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS.
Thanks to Brian and Ben Mossman, TRAIL END will be screeing in KC. This is a FREE screening and a great opportunity for the TRAIL END KC cast, crew, family and friends to see TRAIL END on the big screen.
For those of you who haven’t kept up, TRAIL END is a short film starring Barry Corbin and Hank the Appaloosa. You’ll want to visit the official film website at www.justhank.com for all the background and information.
The 2008 National Appaloosa Show will be June 23 - July 6 in Jackson, Mississippi. The Convention and Visitors Bureau website can be found at www.visitjackson.com. Information about official ApHC hotels will be published later, but we thought you might like to take an early look at what the city has to offer.
For a preview of the show facilities you can check out lots of information and photos at www.mdac.state.ms.us and then click on the tab that says “Mississippi Coliseum and State Fair Grounds.”
Are you a roper whose mount is an Appaloosa? Or, do you know someone who ropes on an Appaloosa? In either case, that athletic Appaloosa could be eligible to win a portion of a new $40,000 timed-roping incentive package to be awarded at this year’s World Championship Appaloosa Show, set for October 26 - November 3 in Fort Worth, Texas. The package includes $10,500 in cash; plus a horse trailer, a ton of feed, trophy saddles and buckles, roping dummies, and saddle pads.
The cash and awards will be distributed to the top performers in these four classes: open and non-pro timed tie-down roping and open and non-pro timed heading and heeling. Details are available by calling the ApHC Performance Department at (208) 882-5578, ext. 400.
The ApHC thanks Mike Mataya, M&C Ranch, and Hyman and Julia Young, owners of Appaloosa performance horse Last Day Lite, for their cash contribution to the prize purse. Thanks also the Sundowner of Texas for its donation of an S&H trailer; Nutrena for its feed donation; Luskey’s/Ryons and Coats Saddlery for donating the trophy saddles; Gist for providing the trophy buckles; Hot Heels for furnishing he roping dummies; and Classic Equine for awarding the saddle pads. And, the ApHC also gives a tip of the hat to Appaloosa enthusiast Darren Locke for his efforts in helping generate this new incentive for Appaloosa timed-event ropers.
Week of July 16, 2007
Calendar
Tuesday – Jackson Planning/Promotion Committee
Wednesday – Museum Board Meeting (Moscow)
Thursday – Executive Committee
National Show Stats
Summary - Youth entries increased by 2.6%; non-pro entries were down 15 total entries, open entries were down 19 entries overall. We were down 15 horses but overall saw a slight increase in total entries as compared with last year.
1174 horses in ’07; 1189 in 06
4344 entries in ’07; 4319 in 06
Halter 291/290
Performance 689/709
Non-pro 1033/1048
Youth 2331/2272
American Horse Council Study Finds Horse Show Industry Has Significant Economic Impact
WASHINGTON, DC - For anyone that has participated in a horse show, be it at the national, state or local level, there is no doubt that these activities generate a lot of money. The American Horse Council’s Economic Impact of the Horse Industry on the United States study includes some impressive statistics that confirm the significant impact of the horse show industry.
Among horse owners, 481,238 are primarily involved in competition. That accounts for 10.33 percent of the total number of people who participate in equestrian activities, be they horse owners, employees or family members or volunteers.
To take a closer look at the population of the showing segment of the horse industry, the Economic Impact Study breaks down the number of horses by breed. There are more than one million Quarter Horses being used specifically for showing purposes. Meanwhile, 336,992 Thoroughbreds and another 1.3 million horses belonging to “other” breeds are involved in showing and competitions.
The owners of all of these horses spend and generate a lot of money to stay in the show ring. The resulting effect on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the showing industry alone is $28.8 billion - $10.8 billion are direct effects and $18 billion are indirect and induced effects.
4-H Holds its First Ever Curriculum Summit
For the first time in its 105-year history, the 4-H Youth Development organization took an in-depth look at how it meets the educational and developmental needs of our nation’s young people through hands-on learning experiences during the National 4 H Curriculum Summit June 12-14, 2007, at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Md.
Co-sponsored by Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service’s (CSREES) National 4 H Headquarters at USDA, its private partner National 4 H Council and the Cooperative Extension System, the National 4 H Curriculum Summit was called to strengthen and revitalize the oldest youth development organization’s curriculum process. During the Summit, 4-H youth and volunteers and land-grant university leaders from across the country examined strategies to successfully develop high-quality, forward-looking curricula that speaks to the interests and needs of 21st century youth. Information collected during the course of the Summit will be posted at www.4-hcurriculum.org shortly.
4-H is a community of more than 6.5 million young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H is led by CSREES’ National 4 H Headquarters at USDA, the nation’s 106 land-grant universities and colleges and National 4-H Council.
Action on the Farm Bill in the Full House Committee Expected
2007 Farm Bill action in the full House Committee on Agriculture is scheduled to begin Tuesday, a week and a half after Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) released his draft mark and after a full week of discussions on the Hill.
The House Committee will also consider an alternative bill providing more funding for nutrition and conservation programs that could be brought to the floor if offsets are found and Members can tap into a $20 billion so- called “reserve fund”.
On the Senate side, there remains no firm date on which action is scheduled to begin, though Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said this week he is looking at a six or seven-year bill to ease funding issues.
Missouri Governor Signs Into Law New Loan Program for Large Animal Vets
A new loan program for select students of large animal veterinary medicine at M-U has been signed into law in Missouri. The program provides loans to those students and forgives loan principal and interest, provided the students work in areas of the state where there are vet shortages. Governor Blunt signed the bill on Friday.
World Conformation Horse Association industrys newest equine group
(Fort Worth, Texas) In just a short 45 days, the group formerly known as the Conformation Horse Alliance is now the World Conformation Horse Association and boasts nearly 100 founding members. A celebration announcing the formation of the group, and providing interested persons with an opportunity to join, will be held October 17 in Columbus, Ohio, during the All American Quarter Horse Congress.
The newest among equine industry associations, the WCHA began when 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.
We have been extremely encouraged by the response we have received from the industry, said Peter Cofrancesco, III, of Sparta, N.J., WCHA steering committee chairman. There has been nothing but positive support from all sectors of the stock horse industry as the WCHA has begun delivering its message regarding the value of good conformation in the horse, regardless of the discipline it might be competing in.
In order to gain financial support needed to develop the fledgling group, the WCHA solicited founding member donations at $500, offered through August 15. Donations received then become Founding Lifetime memberships upon completion of document filing for the association as a not for profit 501(c)(6).
Since we formed 45 days ago, our committees have been hard at work developing articles of incorporation, by-laws and membership guidelines, Cofrancesco said. Membership fees for the group will be very reasonable at prices of $50 for regular memberships, $40 for non pro and $25 for youth.
Cofranscesco said the kick off event October 17 will provide more information about the direction and focus of the group and special announcements will be made regarding competitions to be held in 2008. The event will be open free to all interested persons, although you must have a ticket to attend. Tickets are available from any WCHA committee member, at indicated stalling areas at the Congress or by e-mailing julie@golatigo.com. Tickets will be available through October 12.
For more information, contact Julie Bryant at 817-443-0686 or julie@golatigo.com.
Moscow, Idaho — July 11, 2007
By Diane Rice
As the world watches news of the funeral arrangements being made for former First Lady “Lady Bird” Johnson, who died in her sleep today at age 94, ApHC member and trail boss Mike Howard prepares to leave for the Johnson ranch in the heart of Texas Hill Country near Stonewall, Texas.
Mike, of McKinney, Texas, has a long history with the family of former President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Mike’s relationship with the Johnson family began during his years as a Secret Service agent, during which he was assigned first to President and Lady Bird’s daughter Lynda Bird (now Robb)—whose godfather he is—then to President Johnson, then to Lady Bird. “I worked a total of 10 years with them,” Mike says.
After talking with Lynda Bird today, Mike says the funeral will follow an outdoor meal for approximately 500 guests. “That’s the tradition here,” Mike says. “When someone dies, we feed everybody.”
The invitation-only funeral ceremony will take place at a church located along the Pedernales River next to the LBJ Ranch cemetery, followed by a service at the LBJ Library that will be open to the public. The former first lady will be interred at the ranch cemetery. Presidents Clinton and Carter, and possibly President Bush, are expected to attend.
Lady Bird, who was known for her beautification efforts—planting wildflowers and restricting billboards along highways—was instrumental in passing the Highway Beautification Act in 1965. Even after her stroke in 2002, Mike says she continued to work for her passion. “Every year, she gave an award for the best roadside park or rest area. She was involved up until just a few months ago.
“She never said anything bad about anyone,” Mike adds fondly, “—except one person: Colonel Sanders [of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame].
“We were driving from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard one time and she said, ‘Oh, that awful man, I just wish he wouldn’t do those billboards like that!’
“She wasn’t talking about him necessarily—just what the signs looked like,” Mike explains.
Mike relates that his Appaloosa and LBJ’s Tennessee Walker—a gift from former Tennessee Governor Buford Ellington—were pasture buddies. “LBJ made fun of my spotted horse,” Mike says, “but my horse was the only one that could stay with that Tennessee Walker. He had what George Hatley calls that Nez Perce shuffle.”
In addition to daughter Lynda Bird, Lady Bird leaves a daughter, Lucy Baines Johnson Turpin.
To summarize the National Appaloosa Horse Show I interviewed Steve Taylor, CEO, by phone after Sunday’s board meeting.
In the interview Steve says that all indications are that the 60th show was a success in spite of show site construction and lots of rain.
At the board meeting he says they discussed an international registry incentive program and the launching of a pilot program in the coming year in several countries. He says discussion of the move of the show to Jackson, MS next year was a big topic and also marketing. For example he says the ApHC will be looking more closely at how to provide benefits to sponsors and look at them more as “marketing partners.”
You can listen to my interview with Steve here: 
Interview with Steve Taylor (12 min MP3)
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