From Sherry Caisley-Wilkinson, Museum Director
The winning name in the 2007 Appaloosa Museum Horse Raffle will be drawn on Friday, October 5th. Don’t miss the opportunity to buy your tickets for this year’s horse, a registered Appaloosa yearling filly named E Arrow Tac Meeymi. Yes, she’s the one in the photo.
Tac was named after the Nez Perce word ta’c meeywi (tots may-wee) which means “good morning”. A good looking bay with white blanket, a star and a snip, and three white socks; Tac’s pedigree includes National & World Halter Champion James Bond and ApHC Hall of Fame horses Wapiti, Goer, and Apache. Tac is halter broke and should be a great all-around prospect.
This delightful filly was generously donated by Dennis and Patricia Smith of E Arrow Acres in Cheney, Washington, making Tac the sixth horse they have donated to the Appaloosa Museum. The proceeds from this annual fundraiser are used to grant internships to students from our neighboring universities, University of Idaho and Washington State University. Additional funds benefit the Museum’s operating expenses and the new Live Appaloosa Exhibit behind the Museum where Tac and the Museum’s companion horse Apache Wyakim War (Pache) have lived since May.
Entries are $5 each or 5 for $20. You may purchase as many tickets as you wish and all donations are tax deductible. The raffle drawing will take place on Friday, October 5, 2007 at 12 noon. Winner is responsible for all transportation costs. For more information contact the Appaloosa Museum at (208) 882-5578, ext. 279 or visit www.appaloosamuseum.org. Thanks for supporting the Appaloosa Museum!
A new feature for the 2008 National Show is a set of “slot” classes with added prize money and prestige. Slots must be purchased in advance – the ApHC begins accepting slot payments October 1, 2007 – for the six classes making up the inaugural event. Reservation forms and rules are available from the National Show section of the appaloosa.com website or by calling (208) 882-5578 ext. 400 to request a form.
Futurity classes include 3-year-old Western Pleasure, 3-year-old Hunter under Saddle, Yearling Fillies Halter, and Yearling Colts/Geldings Halter. Futurity slots are available at $1,250 each. The “Sweepstakes” classes are Non-Pro/Youth 5 and under Western Pleasure and Non-Pro/Youth 5 and under Hunter under Saddle. Sweepstakes slots are $750 each.
Slots are permanent and the fee must be paid each year. The first 20 payments received by the ApHC will be given a permanent slot. Depending on demand, an additional five temporary slots may be sold.
The prize money (based on purchase of 20 permanent and five temporary slots totaling $28,125) will be paid out through six places. First place will pay $7,500 in each slot futurity class. Top limited exhibitors will also be eligible for added money.
Twenty-five (25) permanent slots will be available in each of the Sweepstakes classes, with an optional five temporary slots as in the futurities. Prize money will be apportioned similarly through six places with first place paying $6,000. Top youth exhibitors will be eligible for added money.
Slot owners will vote for the judges who will be hired to judge these classes only. Slot futurity classes will be held each year at the National Show beginning in 2008 in Jackson, Mississippi.
What: Benefit Trial Ride
For: St. Jude Children’s Research Center
What can you do?
Ride, Sponsor someone else, or volunteer
When: November 17, 2007 (Sat.)
Time: Sign up at 9 am ride out at 10:00 am (distance about 5 miles)
Where: Bexar Co. Texas Sheriff Mounted Posse Arena 11755 S. Foster Rd.
Cost: $20 donation all goes to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
Meal: Harlendale Masons will provide a meal complete with drinks
Coordinator: Sherri Mell, HALL OF FAME COWGIRL (210) 633-2042
Event Sponsor sheets can be acquired by calling Sherri
ALL RIDERS WILL RECEIVE A LAPEL PIN
Aug. 18 & 19 2007
Co-sponsored by the Calgary Regional Appaloosa Club
And the Appaloosa Horse Association of Alberta
This show, held at Claresholm, Alberta, broke new ground in the cooperation between Regional Clubs of the ApHCC (CRAC) and of the ApHC (AHAA). Due to diminishing numbers at the shows held by both organizations in the last few years, it was decided to try a dual-approved show. One original plan was for each organization to sponsor a show each day of the weekend, with two judges, but it was felt that the members of each organization ( many of which are members of both) might not show in the other’s show. Consequently, a format was suggested of a four-judge circuit over two days, two judges a day, with all classes run as a “class within a class”. Doreen Hooker, Show Manager for CRAC and Shelby Biddlecombe, President of AHAA, got together and studied both rulebooks, noting differences in rules, and decided that it would be possible to run a show in this format. All minor differences could be overcome, such as the ApHCC rule that certain score sheets be posted. The ApHC does not have a rule about specific scoresheets, so the ApHCC ones could be used.
The difficulty of the judges being able to identify which horses were in which organization was addressed by using a number system. The “100” numbers were used for horses in ApHC only, the “200” numbers for ApHCC only, and “300” numbers for horses showing in both.
Both CRAC and AHAA provided a show secretary, and entries for each organization were provided a different entry form and sent to the appropriate secretary. Different colours of paper in the program were used for the entry forms, but this didn’t identify them completely as some exhibitors had to photocopy forms for more horses.
Each organization collected it’s own entry fees and show fees. The CRAC collected the stall fees (on a separate form) and looked after paying for the facility. The CRAC paid for the judges, plus their expenses, for Saturday, and the AHAA paid for the judges for Sunday. All judges had to be carded by both ApHC and ApHCC.
The show was very successful, from both the management and exhibitors point of view, giving people the opportunity to compete for eight sets of points.
If this type of show is held in the future, however, it would be an advantage to the exhibitors to pay only one entry fee per class, as it was an expensive show for those who showed in both clubs. It should be possible to pay only one entry fee per class (as used to happen in dual-approved shows) plus the appropriate judge’s and point fees for each organization. Also, then all horses could be counted as entries in each class, giving exhibitors opportunity to win more points in each organization. For example, in the format that this Congress was run this year, if in a class of ten horses, five were shown in the ApHCC, and five in the ApHC, each judge’s card would have “5” as the number of horses in the class. If both organizations would recognize all horses in the class, then the number of horses would be “10”, all placings would be on the same judges’ card (then sent to each breed association) and horses would qualify for the resulting points from a class of ten. This would also be less confusing for the judges as they would then have to fill out only one card per class. This is the way dual-approved shows were run not too many years ago, to the benefit of everyone concerned.
Those involved in the 2007 Appaloosa Congress feel that it was a great step forward for the breed in North America. Too many years have gone by with division between the two breed associations. This show proves that we can get together for the good of the Appaloosa horse.
Doreen Hooker
Gone to greener pastures
When Rick Klaus of Hastings, Minnesota purchased a bay yearling named Willie Can Dance from Victoria Ennis of Texoma Appaloosas, he couldn’t have known the blessings this horse would bring to him.
“It was an honor and privilege to train him,” Rick says. He broke “Willie” as a 2 year old. He and longtime client and friend Marcia Melde described Willie as “freaky flat” in his front end during movement.
Annalise Larson, one of Rick’s students, began riding Willie when she was 15, and the pair were successful at Appaloosa and open events across the country. Willie earned titles at the ApHC National Show, ApHC World Show, Reichert Celebration, Just For Pleasure, the Minnesota Corporate Challenge, with the NSBA and the ApPHA.
Annalise and Willie won the ApPHA 5 and under hunter under saddle youth/non-pro class for three consecutive years. She holds many fond memories of Willie, including his habit of sticking his tongue out of his mouth to play. Annalise took her high school senior pictures with him, and thought of him as her best friend.
Willie was also shown by Rick and other talented riders including Trish Yamber, Vicky Holt and Brian Isbell.
It was with great sadness that Willie Can Dance was put down shortly after colic surgery at the 2007 Youth World. He died as the reigning 2-time open World Champion junior hunter under saddle horse. It was Annalise and Willie’s last Youth World. It was indeed a great loss to the Larson and Klaus families, as well as the Appaloosa breed. Willie held a special place in Rick’s heart as a once-in-a-lifetime horse.
The Klaus and Larson families would like to thank the judges, trainers and spectators who recognized the abilities of this great animal and for all of the cards, gifts, and condolences. Your support is greatly appreciated.
*** Photo by Jim Davis, www.jimdavisphoto.com
It was a remarkable victory for Jack Hennig and High Jo Lena in the FRCHA (Florida Reined Cow Horse Association) Bridle Spectacular show on September 8 and 9th, 2007 in Sarasota, Florida. Jack and High Jo Lena AKA Wysi Wyg placed first in the Open Bridle on Saturday and second in the Open Bridle class on Sunday and third in the Bridle Spectacular. The Bridle Spectacular included Cutting, Reining and Working Cowhorse. “This was a tough competition”, said Jack, who competed against two NRCHA World Champions. “Her cow work was exceptional on both days, and she was really strong down the fence”.
This was not Jack and Wysi’s first win, back in October of 2006, Jack and Wysi placed first in the FRCHA Bridle Spectacular and together they have won many NRCHA events and ApHC World and National Championships in Reining, Working Cowhorse, Roping and Games.
Wysi Wyg (pronounced Wizzy Wig) stands for “What you see is what you get”; she was named so by her breeder Bill Cookshaw of Cee Arr Appaloosas in Canada when, upon seeing her as a foal for the first time remarked, “Well, what you see is what you get!”, as he looked down and saw a colorless all black filly with one white foot. Now the once colorless filly is loaded to the brim with color, says Justin. She is now a beautiful, loud blue roan mare with one white foot.
It does not come as much of a surprise to know that Wysi Wyg is descended from the legendary hall of fame stallion High Sign who also excelled in multiple events under Jack. Wysi was sired by Canadian Superhorse High Sign Nugget and is out of a double-bred Ima Doc O’Lena mare, Im Jessalena owned by Bill Cookshaw. The Bowles family (owners of Bowles Ranch), purchased Wysi Wyg in 2003 from Bill as a three year old. “After watching a video of the mare, we knew she would be a perfect match for Justin, she had such a great way of moving” said Erica. Shortly after purchasing Wysi, the Bowles went to Jack to train both Wysi and Justin. “Jack has always been such an inspiration to me, ever since I was a young boy and I first saw him at a show aboard High Sign” said Justin. Justin has shown High Jo Lena in the FRCHA starting in Green I and has worked his way up through the Green Program and is now showing down the fence in the Non Pro Bridle. In 2006, Justin and Wysi won the Non Pro Working Cow Horse at the ApHC National Show. This was Justin’s first time competing at the Nationals. “Jack’s training and instruction were instrumental to Justin and Wysi’s success.”, said Erica.
In 2004, the Bowles Family purchased High Paddy O’lena, Wysi’s younger brother. A 2001 Red Leopard Stallion, High Paddy O’lena is following in the “hoofprints” of his older sister. Wysi has set a high bar for Rebel to follow, but we have confidence in him. He is doing really well commented Erica. “Both horses are under the careful guidance of Jack. Jack is truly one of the greatest horsemen; it has been an honor to ride with him. If I had to describe Jack in three words, it would be humble, honest and driven. We are really proud of his many accomplishments and proud to be his students”.
(note from Heather McLevin)
I thought I would let you know about some Appaloosas that have been doing well in reining, reined cow horse & cutting.
Bill Cookshaw’s horse, “Ima Docs High Sign” with Shawna Sapergia has won or been reserve in some bigger NRHA events (Reining Alberta Spring Classic & the Hungry Horse). They are leaving for the CRBC this week & I believe they also will be shown at the Canadian Supreme the end of this month.
“Absolutely High” and Jim Dobler were Reserve Champions in both the Caton Ranch Amateur & Non Pro Derbies (NRCHA). Geoff Hoar and “Nu Cash Sign” were the Reserve Champions in the Caton Ranch Limited Open Derby.
Several Appaloosas competed in the recent Goodyear Canada Canadian Snaffle Bit Futurity and Championships (high ranking reined cow horse futurity with over $62,000 in cash & prizes). Quite a few did very well. “Smart Little Leaguer” was the high score fence horse ($300) in the Open Snaffle Bit Futurity & finished 4th overall ($1840). “Ima Bootscootin Lena” was 3rd in the Limited Open Snaffle Bit Futurity ($1050). “Mighty High Sign” was 3rd in the Non Pro Limited class $150). “High’O'Lena” won ($270) & “Immortal Sign” was the Reserve Champion ($210) in the Youth Limited.
At the Canadian Super Stakes, “Test This Remedy” was the Champion in the Open Bridle Class (ARCHA). “Sign Of Hail” placed & won NCHA money at the Cutters Classic Open Futurity.
“High’O'Lena” also finished 4th in the Reining Alberta Spring Classic Limited Open class & Co-Reserve Champion in the Beginner Youth 13 & under.
At the Reining Alberta Summer Classic he was 3rd in the Limited Open. “Classic Image Too” tied for 7th in the Rookie Reining (55 horses).
Many of these horses will be shown at the Canadian Supreme at the end of the month. This is year 31 for the Supreme. The added purse is over $300,000 plus a payback from entries. Also the Wrangler Cutting Futurity is coming up.
Three generations of Schroeders — Jan, left, her granddaughter Samantha, her son Robin and her husband, Chuck — line up for the start of Delaware’s All-Horse Parade
Note from Brian Amerine:
Our daughter rode her Appaloosa mare this Sunday through the streets of downtown Delaware Oh., as a member of the High School Equine Science group. There had to be 30 or more Appaloosas in the parade. Next year we plan on getting a group of various regional club members to ride together (Working with Chuck). In the meantime I thought you would be interested in this article about the parade, with a feature on Chuck Schroeder and his family. Chuck is a regional club president and Appaloosa carded Judge.
Horsing around in Delaware is an annual affair for family
They’ve been in all 22 All-Horse Parades
Monday, September 10, 2007
BY HOLLY ZACHARIAH
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
DELAWARE, Ohio - Funny things, those sewer grates. Seems there aren’t any in pastures, so Dreamer doesn’t cotton to ‘em so well. But since Delaware city streets are full of them, the pregnant, 8-year-old mare had to toughen up yesterday and skirt them as best as she could.
It was as if the horse sensed how important was the task at hand. Seventeen-year-old Samantha Schroeder has never missed riding in Delaware’s All-Horse Parade — though as a baby, she was carried in her daddy’s arms. So scary sewer grates or not, Dreamer had to ferry Samantha more than 2 miles along the route.
They were carrying on a tradition. It was the 22nd annual All-Horse Parade, billed as the largest of its kind east of the Mississippi River, and at least one member of Schroeder’s family has ridden in every one of them. This year, three generations of Schroeders were atop four appaloosas — Samantha; her father, Robin; and her grandparents Chuck and Jan.
They joined hundreds of people and more than 500 horses and a few mules readying for the parade at the Delaware County Fairgrounds under a miserable, steady rain, and they stepped off under a blistering sun. The Schroeders didn’t mind. They wrapped plastic around their cowboy hats and carried napkins to swipe the sweat from their faces.
The weather, Jan Schroeder said, never stops them. Although her family raises and trains Appaloosas and Quarter Horses for Western pleasure riding on their farm west of Delaware, she saddles up just once a year. Only for the parade.
“The people just line the streets, three and four deep, and call out your name and wave and cheer,” she said. “It’s like a reunion. Sometimes I only see someone once a year, and it’s along the route.”
She wanted to wave to the crowds, really she did, but mostly she just held tight to the reins. Katie was a bit skittish. Sewer grates didn’t bother her, but boy horses? No, Katie didn’t want any of them around.
Still, with so many animals in one place, she couldn’t help but mingle. The parade did indeed have something for everyone. There were draft horses with tails that dragged the ground, and miniature horses whose bellies almost did. There were horses with bells, bows, braids and beads, and even a Barbie “unicorn” with painted pink tail and pink hooves. (No one told it that, sadly, the horn shooting from its head was made of only paper and twine.) There was a team of mules all the way from Michigan, a Conestoga wagon and a surrey or two. (Yes, one had fringe on top.)
The variety is one of the things that keeps the Schroeders coming back year after year. The afternoon is a lot of work, with saddles to oil, manes to brush, shoes to repair and buckles to shine.
But when someone called out Jan Schroeder’s name, and she was able to let fly a queen-worthy parade wave, the smile on her face made it clear that every sore muscle she’ll have this morning was worth it.
A brief stop along the trail at the Bar U Ranch in Alberta is almost a must. The ranch is a National Historic Site and at one time encompassed 157,960 acres of deeded and leased land in cattle country. The photo is of a statue of George Lane inspired by a Charlie Russell painting. Mr. Lane arrived from Montana in 1884 and became foreman of the North West Cattle Company. In 1902 he and some partners purchased the Bar U. The scene depicted by the statue represents a true story of Lane’s encounter with wolves. George Lane is best remembered as one of the “Big Four” who underwrote the first Calgary Stampede in 1912.
Okay, this doesn’t have much of anything to do with the equine world, but I couldn’t resist a tourist moment while traveling through Alberta last week. Next door to a terrific ice cream parlor cleverly named “Two Scoop Steve’s” is a little shop full of goat milk products such as soap, hand cream, candles, etc. The biggest attraction though is the sight of goats “grazing” on the porch roof. Who can resist a marketing effort like that?
By Judie Shults
Back in April I had the pleasure, along with DS OLYMPIC GOLD (aka Sundrop, owned by my daughter Tiffany Bradford) of representing Dixieland ApHC at the “2007 Urban Youth Farm Day” presented by Alabama Cooperative Extension System Urban Affairs. This Program provides a fun and educational learning experience that will familiarize inner city youth with life on the farm.
We handed out ApHC literature to 337 students along with 59 teachers & chaperones. After a brief history about the Appaloosa Horse and the role horses have in our society past & present I asked if anyone had questions. As usual, there were many questions about Appaloosas and horses in general. The students couldn’t wait to pet “Sundrop” and they wanted to brush him or feed him. Sundrop, like our other 7 Appaloosas is so patient and loves the affection they receive from the students, teachers & chaperones.
Special Note: There were 2 baby goats and their nanny in the next stall and the babies kept getting out and walking under Sundrop… it didn’t bother him at all… of course at home the cats & dogs are always walking under the horses.
My daughter & I have always supported the Cooperative Extension programs through the years. At 4-H events we were always elected to bring one of our Appaloosas as a demo horse for clinics.
Additonal note from Judie (see post above): We enjoy presenting our Appaloosas to the public here in Alabama. This year I met a student, Maggie Pugsley, at this event who is very interested in horses. After some riding at my place she and Sundrop showed in the Halter Gelding, Stallion & Colt class at the June 2007 Tennessee Valley Arabian Open Horse Show in Huntsville, Al. out of 15 horses (the only Appaloosa in the class) and next received Reserve Championship. She had never shown, but received 1st place! They also placed 1st in the Youth Walk/Trot and 2nd in the Gelding Sporthorse in Hand class. Maggie has joined the ApHC and Dixieland ApHC and showed in the Dixieland ApHC Lots - O - Spots Spectacular show in Huntsville, Al. She placed 1st & 2nd with Heza Catcher in the Youth Most Colorful. Some day she hopes to be able to afford to have her own Appaloosa.
Beginning with the National Appaloosa Show in Jackson, MS in 2008 the ApHC will be offering slot futurities and sweepstakes classes. One of the people who has been involved in developing the guidelines for the slot classes is Jack Zuidema, Chair of the ApHC Finance Committee and member of the Executive Committee. He is also a member of the Show Committee subgroup that was charged with this task.
I interviewed Jack to learn all about it so I’m going to let him tell you the story. In the interview he describes exactly what a slot futurity is and how it works. He also provides a very comprehensive overview of the rules, costs and potential payouts for these new classes.
You can listen to my interview with Jack here: 
Interview with Jack Zuidema (13 min MP3)
After five very competitive events, a few weather episodes and lots of scoreboard watching, Team Appaloosa was officially declared the Champions of the 2007 Battle of the Breeds at Spruce Meadows in Calgary. Today’s trail class proved to be the difference, but every single point earned by each horse and rider/driver was critical. Our breed earned the admiration and respect of thousands of fans and made it to center stage at one of North America’s premier equestrian events. Feel free to offer your congratulations with a comment. These ladies proved that competition can be fun as well as rewarding. They are genuine ambassadors for the Appaloosa brand. Thanks to each of them and to the supporting cast that worked hard to keep things going. Participants are identified in the previous post.
Absolutely any fan of Appaloosa horses would have been thrilled by the sight of Team Appaloosa receiving the Battle of the Breeds championship trophy in front of thousands of spectators today at Spruce Meadows. The team left to right: Sherry Gresko, Leduc, Alberta; Lynn Johnson, Rimbey, Alberta; Anita Wilson, Wolf Creek, Montana; and Jessie Halabura, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan;. Congratulations ladies!
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