The Appaloosa Horse Club Board of Directors in July approved some changes to rules pertaining to “conditionally permitted medications.” Much of the impetus for amending the current rules came from a desire to make any disciplinary actions or punishment more appropriately fit the seriousness of the violation. For example, the use of behavior-changing or performance-enhancing medications carries stronger punishment than a small margin overage of ordinary pain medications or therapeutic drugs.
A board committee established for the purpose of reviewing medication rules and making a final recommendation to the full board worked with several veterinarians and also consulted with our drug testing laboratory to ensure that their proposal included humane treatment options, at the same time including medications that would not interfere with testing for performance-enhancing drugs. The board also reviewed a comparison chart indicating that ApHC approval of certain medications would bring us closer to the specifications followed by organizations such as AQHA, American Paint Horse Association, NSBA and the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
The Appaloosa Horse Club continues to be very specific in its definitions of “forbidden substance,” administration guidelines and permitted exceptions. The overall goal is quite simply to give ApHC members the benefit of “modern therapeutic measures” for improvement and protection of the health of the horse, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, unless the drug given also may stimulate or depress the circulatory, respiratory, or central or peripheral nervous systems.” It is important to remember that when maximum limits of any drug or medication are exceeded, ApHC considers it a “forbidden substance.”
To read the motion and accompanying data, please see motion #16-07-07 on pages M21–24 in the September issue of the Appaloosa Journal. The motions are also on the ApHC website at this address: http://www.appaloosa.com/association/bod.htm. Once there, click on Summary of Motions (July 8, 2007).
Dal-Worth ApHC Regional club is celebrating it’s 50th year in existence and the group observed the anniversary in a big way last Saturday night August 26th, 2007 at their Summer Sizzler show. The show was a roaring success with 752 entries — the largest show in the state of Texas in many years! Thanks to the tireless hard work of Dal-Worth Secretary Larry York and Vice-President Leslie Goolsby
(co-show managers) along with many other volunteers the show went off without a hitch.
It was a HOT time in the Pen and a HOT time at the free BBQ dinner that was offered to all exhibitors. “In a state as big as Texas we knew we would have to have a BIG party and pull out all the stops,” stated Larry York the clubs secretary.
Dal-Worth offered free t-shirts to every exhibitor in celebration of their anniversary and had
exhibitors come from as far as California! All exhibitors were welcomed by a big Texas Smile and that Southern hospitality!!!
If you missed the Summer Sizzler then you missed a hoop hollerin good time!!!! Dal-Worth still has one show left this season (November 17th and 18th), their Holiday FunFest show with more prizes and a guaranteed good time. So if you missed the summer sizzler, mark the FunFest on your Calendar and to all the exhibitors who made it a great show and a great time:
Ya’ll come back now Ya Hear!!!!!!
Dal-Worth ApHC
The Center of the Nation Appaloosa Horse Club held an open trail ride on July 21, 2007. Twenty-six riders enjoyed the hills and valleys of the Wolf Creek Valley outside Freeman, South Dakota. Trail boss Craig Roth guided riders thru creeks and down paths that led by original 1880’s homestead homes, including a sod house and a rock house. A good time was had by all on the ride in the valley with weather conditions almost perfect. 
Riders even got to spend some time cooling off in the spray of an irrigation pivot and a few horses were reluctant to leave the cool mist. Following an afternoon of riding, Doug Richards tended the grills and served hamburgers and hotdogs provided by CON ApHC. Lots of other food to share was brought by the trail riders and everybody ate well.
Plans for the next club ride may include the southern part of the Wolf Creek Valley that leads to the James River. Please check the CON ApHC website at www.conappclub.com for more news about the club and information about future activities.
We are in the process of cataloging 89 consignments for the Appaloosa World Sale to be held October 31st in Fort Worth. We have 68 in the Yearling Incentive Sale and 21 in the Select Sale (breeding and performance horses).
You can help spread the word that real-time, on-line viewing and bidding will be available on the Internet! Folks can go to LiveAuctions.TV to sign up for a bidder number. We’re also trying something new with the sale catalog this year. It will be produced on-line and available at the ApHC website as well as at HorsesOnly.com. One specific improvement will be the inclusion of a photo of each horse consigned. The program used to develop the catalog is pretty neat. Stay tuned for more news about the sale.
The 10th Annual Apalousey All-Breed Trail Ride and Dutch Oven Dinner, hosted by the Appaloosa Museum board of directors, was dedicated to raising funds for improving museum facilities. This event was held at the beautiful Pony Club Grounds on George Hatley’s ranch near Deary, Idaho. Approximately 40 riders (and a bunch of other suppertime guests) participated this past weekend. It’s a real toss-up to determine which is more enjoyable, the scenic ride or the fabulous Dutch oven dinner. Okay, it’s not that difficult. The dinner is the big attraction. 
But the opportunity to mingle with George and Iola, loyal trail riders and long-time friends of the breed is a special treat as well. Folks were encouraged to shake loose from a bit of their money during silent and live auctions. The weather was perfect and the gathering proved once again that Mr. Appaloosa and the museum have plenty of true friends.
It’s always a good time to support the Appaloosa Museum. If you’d care to help, please contact the Museum at (208)882-5578 x279 or museum@appaloosa.com.\
Oh yeah, in the middle photo are King Rockhill, Museum Board President, and Alice, his trail pal wife. The other two are scenes along the trail. Although they seem to be pointed in all directions, they’re really just resting.
There’s no doubt that one of the big reasons why people travel considerable distance to participate in the Apalousey Trail Ride is the opportunity to visit George Hatley, otherwise known forever as “Mr. Appaloosa.” It’s great to see George out and about and doing so well after his recent stroke. It’s safe to assume that the Dutch oven dinner wouldn’t be quite so splendid without his expert supervision. George did manage to take off his flour sack apron long enough to pose with longtime friend and ApHC Communications Coordinator Juli Thorson.
We received a bubbling note from Noelle Schmidt, and rightly so. Congratulations Noelle!
Chocolatey, aka “Harry” did just win the Reichert Intermediate 2 y/o today (Thursday). Pat and all at his barn as well as Joe and I are so excited not just for our horse, but also for the app breed!!! Big Congrats to Frank Larabee’s great huntseat stud, Radio Flyer who also won @ Reichert in the Color class! These are such special wins for our breed and it gives me goose bumps to know I had a horse that was part of it. Congrats Frank & Radio Flyer!!!!!!!!!
Noelle
Shannon Keenan, writer/filmmaker
TRAIL END screened before a sold-out theatre at the Crested Butte Reel Fest in Colorado last Friday night. At the awards ceremony, TRAIL END took the 1st Place Audience Award. Thank you to the cast, crew, family and friends who were able to attend the screening. Mom, Dad, Steve and I were on hand to accept the award. It was a great time in the Rocky Mountains!
Don’t forget other upcoming Colorado screenings at the TriMedia Film Festival in Fort Collins, Sunday, September 9 at 12:00 p.m., and the Estes Park Film Festival in Estes Park, Friday, September 14 at 2:00 PM.
TRAIL END has been accepted to the Moondance Film Festival and LA Shorts Fest (Hollywood and Burbank).
TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI—Excitement reached a peak for Appaloosa enthusiasts during the National Snaffle Bit Association’s prestigious Southern Belle Invitation as Appaloosa stallion, Chocolatey, wowed crowds and judges at the multi-breed show held July 18-22 in Tunica, Mississippi.
The 2-year-old was only shown in two classes—2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure and 2-Year-Old Color Horse Western Pleasure—but in those few moments in front the judges and spectators, Chocolatey made quite an impression as the only horse in the entire show with a blanket.
Troy Compton showed the stallion, also known as “Harry”, in the 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure class, where Harry tied for first place with My Sensational Cookie (AQHA), taking home $1,937.74 in prize money. Though My Sensational Cookie was awarded the coveted champion trophy by the tiebreaker judge, owners Noelle Schmidt and Joe Geraci could not be prouder.
“For me, Harry finally received recognition for the horse he was, for the horse I always thought he was,” Schmidt said.
Chocolately also showed his dappled backside in the 2-Year-Old Color Horse Western Pleasure class with exhibitor Patrick Heeley, where he placed fourth among a dozen great horses of various breeds.
“I consider the NSBA-level horse to be the best,” Schmidt said. “And I am happy to have horses that can hang at that level.”
President Eric Beené and I had the opportunity to visit with Appaloosa enthusiasts at the Canadian National Show last month in Brandon, Manitoba. Exhibitors enjoyed the additions and improvements at the Keystone Centre, deeming it a great facility. There aren’t many horse show venues where you can walk down the hall from the hotel lobby to the stalls and arena. It’s an impressive place.
Though numbers were smaller than usual, the Canadians hosted a very nice show and displayed their famous hospitality and down-to-earth friendliness. The quality of horses and riders was quite good. At some level, it’s nice to be reminded that people have any number of other choices for how to spend their time and money – and make the conscious choice to hang around in the equine world. We would all do well to replicate the enjoyable and rewarding atmosphere we experienced with the ApHCC.
A priority for ApHC is to improve our relationship with the ApHCC. Frankly, we’ve let things stay too long in the fermentation stage without paying enough attention to the most logical partners and allies we have just north of the border. As several Canadian directors and members pointed out, we have so much in common and only a few distracting differences. There really is no good excuse for not making more of the natural alliance that should exist between the U.S. and Canada. It’s time to promote the breed of horse we all love and spend less time focusing on organizational politics or perceived differences (most of which can be dispelled with just a quick lesson in what’s real and what’s third- or fourth-hand information).
Eric and I met with ApHCC directors and staff to discuss where we are in the relationship and where we’d like to be. You shouldn’t be surprised to learn than everyone in the room expressed interest in working together in more ways to promote the breed. Both organizations face similar challenges and deal with the same issues of membership retention, keeping youth involved, helping young trainers get started (and keeping them in the Appaloosa realm), providing incentives for people to try our horses, and finding more ways for people to enjoy them.
Thanks to everyone at the show in Brandon for the warm welcome and the helpful discussions.
A custom detailing job as shown on this truck was auctioned off at the Canadian National Appaloosa Show last month in Brandon, Manitoba. It also served as a pretty good billboard as it was parked along the main street through town all week during the show. I’ll admit to being jealous. It’s a neat look and a great promotional touch. In case you can’t read the lettering - “Appaloosa” appears on all three sides of the truck bed. Thanks to Sandy Landry for the photo.
We’re pretty sure it’s time to catch up on some news from the Appaloosa racing world. There are some impressive horses running this year and here are results from July races.
Strike It Rich Futurity
A Day Before, a two-year-old dark bay appaloosa gelding made his way to the winners circle at the Strike It Rich Futurity July 7th. The 350-yard race, at Fair Meadows race track in Tulsa, Oklahoma, provided a total purse of $30,000.
A Day Before, sired by Dispensing Speed and out of It’s Cash’s Perks, completed the race in 18.197 seconds. The gelding is owned and trained by James Limbaugh and ridden by Adam Wade Roughley. Winning by ¼ lengths A Day Before earned $9,000, making his life time earnings $14,208.
Finishing Second and taking home $6,000 was Love Um N Leave Um, a two-year-old gelding owned and bred by V. Victoria Ennis. Love Um N Leave Um is sired by I Love Willie and out of Lavish Moon. The horse is trained by Eddie Willis and ridden by Larry Payne.
Zevis Dash owned and trained by Raymond Venn and bred by Nicholas Schramm came in third with Jay James aboard taking home $3,600. Zevis Dash is sired by Zevis Scooter Bug and out of Missy Mit Dash.
Horses completing the field included R Girl Gone, Beer Bait and Ammo, Mr Coupe De Ville, Call Me Speedy, Eyes Easy, Perky Patrick and Moonin Mamy.
Spots N Dots Stakes
A hot and humid Friday the 13th in Tulsa, Oklahoma turned out to be not so unlucky after all for Im A Marble To who won the Spots N Dots Stakes at Fair Meadows Track. With a distance of 870 yards and a total purse of $27,500 Im A Marble To completed the race in 46.34 seconds, winning by one length and earning $16,320.
The 9-year-old, dark bay gelding, owned by G&G Partnership/Geier and trained by 74-year-old Hubert Blankenship, proved that superstitions do not apply to him by bringing his lifetime earnings to $160,702.
Im A Marble To is sired by My Designated Driver (AQHA) and out of All The Marbles, was bred by Jeff Rutland of Kanas and ridden by Adam Wade Roughley.
Finishing Second was Boy of Summer, a 6-yesr-old Paint gelding, earning $5,440. The horse is trained by Tim Weeder and ridden by Paul Nieto.
Zevis Kidd owned and bred by Nicholas Schramm and trained by Raymond Venn came in third with Jay James aboard taking home $2,992. Zevis Kidd is sired by Zevis Scooter Bug and out of Missy Mit Dash.
Horses completing the field included Suzys Hero (APHA), Lone Star Rising, DD Marble, Roman Guard (APHA), Special Judy (APHA), Earth Wind and Fire (APHA) and Braggin Rights.
CMB A Legacy wins the Colors of Houston Paint and Appaloosa Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park July 21, 2007. With a distance of 400 yards on a fast dirt track and a total purse of $10,500, CMB A Legacy completed the race in 20.45 seconds earning $6,300.
The 3-year-old, sorrel gelding, owned by CMB Don Keys Racing Stable in Idaho Falls, Idaho and trained by Judd Kearl and ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo broke well and defeated Treasured Form the even money favorite.
Finishing Second was Treasured Form, a 7-year-old Paint gelding, earning $2,100. The horse is trained by Frank Mendez and owned by Francisco Acuna ridden by Russel Hadley.
Dominated Attitude a 3 year-old Paint colt owned by Merle Rutherford and trained by James Lackey came in third with Jose Alvarez aboard taking home $1,155.
Horses completing the field included Stillaintscared (APHA), Grand Point (APHA) and Big Bad Mama (APHA).
I caught up with the Chief Joseph Trail riders on Day Three at Howard Camp, elevation 6,110. It’s located on a high ridge along Road 500, otherwise known as the Lolo Motorway. Sometimes even the Government can have a sense of humor. The informational sign before the turnoff to the camp explains that tourists should not be misled by the term “motorway.” It happens to be a mostly one-lane, dirt/rock trail with tight turns and not much clearance. I’d suggest your vehicle should not be too tall, too wide, too low, or too timid if you’d like to experience the route.
At Howard Camp, accommodations were crowded for horses, people and the caravan of support vehicles. This photo shows one of the picket lines. There were at least four others scattered along either side of the “driveway.”
One more photo from Day One. Crossing a fairly noisy wooden bridge first thing in the morning created a pleasant mix of sights and sounds. It served notice to horses and riders that they should be prepared for a variety of terrain and obstacles. No big deal to these Appaloosas, most of which have seen a lot of trails and met every challenge.
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