Appaloosa Horse Club members from Montana, Idaho, Washington and Alberta gathered in Missoula April 26 & 27 for a Territory I Workshop. Discussions were productive and engaging. Ideas and strategies were shared among the regional club representatives. Thanks to Jan Phillips, president of the Western Montana ApHC, Lynette Thompson, Sandy Jones and all who helped organize the event.
My take on the meeting is that ApHC members are rallying together to find ways around current and projected economic conditions. There is more discussion of promotion and overall marketing at the local level. The group asked some really good questions, but also had some really good suggestions for ways to make the ApHC more user-friendly and effective. Not only did I take notes, I support many of the ideas offered and plan to share them with staff and directors. As an example, we’ll be talking about a better ways to build communications between new members and their respective regional clubs. We’ll be working on simpler language to explain some of the existing programs (ACAAP, trail ride approval and registration) and we’ll be providing more information about the Performance Permit and other recent developments.
Not only did Kevin and I enjoy the visit, we managed to win a door prize or two. Yes, we accepted gifts, but there were no promises made in return. Thanks again to all the members who attended the workshop. We enjoyed meeting you and sincerely appreciate your willingness to spend some time talking about our Appaloosa future.
ApHC Trail & Distance Program coordinator Kevin Pullen seems to like the latest piece of advice from Edith Stanger. They were discussing the 2008 Chief Joseph Trail Ride and the logistical challenges of moving 200+ horses, riders and support crew through the Bitterroot Valley and beyond. Edith made the trip from her home in southeastern Idaho to the Territory I workshop in Missoula, Montana.
Workshop participants engaged in good conversations about regional club issues, ApHC programs, member services and a host of topics related to ensuring a solid future for the organization and the breed. Higher costs of doing business and general economic trends tempered much of the discussion, but the members also focused on ways to cope and perhaps be more creative at the local level to maintain Appaloosa enthusiasm.
Sandy Jones, Deer Park, Washington, was the winning bidder for a terrific piece of art from the silent auction at the Territory I workshop this past weekend in Missoula. Sandy also helped organize the workshop and is a longtime Appaloosa breeder and supporter.
The artist is Kathy Hanson of Kalispell, Montana. She and husband Jeff operate J Bar K Horse Ranch and Rockin H Appaloosas. They participated in the workshop along with folks from regional clubs in Montana, Idaho, Washington and Alberta. Kathy is being recruited to do some artwork for the ApHC office!
I promised not to make fun of Rita Nicholson’s best friend, so let’s emphasize the positive and allow the little canine to show off her Appaloosa Fan Club attire.
There was no post-event press conference to hear analysis of what the pooch learned at the Territory I workshop this past weekend in Missoula, but she did seem anxious to head home to Salmon, Idaho, and apply whatever new knowledge had been acquired.
You’ll know Rita as the author of the popular book, NATIVE TREASURE, a wonderful tribute to the Appaloosa horse and its magical appeal. The book is available through the Appaloosa Museum and can be ordered on line.
We were able to tour some amazing country on our scouting trip for this year’s Chief Joseph Trail Ride. The Bitterroot Valley of Montana has long been one of my favorite places to visit, so it’s especially enjoyable to come back for a closer look at some of the less crowded parts of the area. This view is looking south from the “hills” above Stevensville.
In earlier posts I’ve issued an invitation for you to consider joining us on the 2008 CJTR. Though not an “extremely” rigorous trail this year, both you and your horse are advised to plan ahead and submit to some conditioning. Any time mountains are involved, there are laws of nature that say you will have plenty of uphill portions as well as the easier downhill stuff.
The ride starts at Lolo Hot Springs, offers some high country scenery, crosses the Bitterroot River and takes you through the foothills and mountains where the Nez Perce and those Lewis and Clark fellows traveled. You’ll get a feel for the history of the area and you’ll enjoy the comradeship of other Appaloosa enthusiasts. Check out details about the ride and find an application form by visiting the trail section of appaloosa.com. See you in July!
Robin Pedersen and Kevin Pullen check the map and evaluate potential campsites for this year’s Chief Joseph Trail Ride through the Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana. Robin is a resident of Florence, Montana, and a veteran of several CJTR’s. She’s also valuable as our local ride manager because of her experience as a National Forest Service employee in the area.
Kevin is the ApHC coordinator for trail and distance riding programs. He likes to hit the trails in the areas around the Palouse and Lewiston-Clarkston valley when he manages to find some spare time.
For more information about the Chief Joseph Trail Ride, give Kevin a call at the ApHC office.
While sorting through the backroads of the Bitterroot Valley in our scouting for this year’s Chief Joseph Trail Ride, we were impressed by this property entrance. Of course logs are plentiful in the area, but golly, this thing is huge. Not a lot of folks pass by, so it’s apparently a source of personal pride for the landowner.
Even with the clouds (or maybe because of them), this view of the Bitterroot Mountains from the foothills East of the river is pretty dramatic. One potential campsite for this year’s Chief Joseph Trail Ride is nearby, so I can safely say that riders will enjoy the scenery.
If you’ve thought about participating in the historic ApHC-sponsored trail ride but haven’t quite talked yourself into doing so, might I suggest that 2008 will be a gorgeous tour through a region rich with the heritage of the Nez Perce and Lewis and Clark. Details about the ride can be found in the trail/distance section of the appaloosa.com site.
Maybe it’s a topic unrelated to planning for the Chief Joseph Trail Ride, but while warming ourselves in Mike McNeill’s hobby shop, we were fascinated by this genuine made-from-scratch utility tractor. Parts for this little number came from all sorts of machines and pieces of equipment. Mike is either a genius or he has way too much time on his hands.
In the background is a 1955 Chevy that he occasionally drives. He’s also working on a couple of other vintage cars, a truck or two and a camper (or two).
The earlier photo of the Chief Joseph Trail Ride river crossing was taken from the back yard of Mike McNeill (right), shown here with kevin Pullen and our local trail ride manager, Robin Pedersen.
Mike has lived in the area for several years and was especially helpful with names and locations. His home is located on what was today a breezy (and cold) hilltop. Thank goodness he invited into his “hobby shop” to warm ourselves by the woodstove.
Among Mike interests are hunting, trapping, vintage cars, boating, fishing, camping and apparently whole bunch of other things. His shop is a guy place deluxe.
It’s definitely not the normal trail riding weather most of us enjoy, but plans are being firmed up for this year’s Chief Joseph Trail Ride. Like many of the rest of us, folks in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana are experiencing a chilly “spring”.
Kevin Pullen, ApHC trail/distance coodinator, and I toured the gathering site near Lolo Hot Springs yesterday, then made our way through some possible campsites for later in the week near Florence and Stevensville. The specific route through the Bitterroot is being worked out, depending on landowners and how well the various trails actually connect.
This particular photo is looking West at a likely crossing spot of the Bitterroot River on Day Three of the ride.
We’ve mentioned in previous posts some of the new ways to promote your spots and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Appaloosa Horse Club. We want to let you know that folks in the Performance Department as well as the Marketing Department are able to help you with options and details for placing an order.
If you’re already in touch with someone in the Performance Department about show-related matters, you can also visit with them about advertising and promotion opportunities in conjunction with the 61st National Show. We’ve added streaming video advertising options and some other affordable and effective strategies such as space on the Jackson Equestrian Center concourse, advertising on the official show blog and in the daily Network publication. Of course class sponsorships and banners are also available. Give it some thought and give us a call.
We thought you’d like to know that some helpful additions have been made to the website collection of information about registering your Appaloosa. From the appaloosa.com home page, click on the “registration” button and then go to the “FAQ’s” (Frequently Asked Questions) area for more details about HYPP and DNA testing. The DNA tutorial features a step-by-step guide to collecting, handling and shipping samples.
In case you missed it, there is also information about the Performance Permit Program that can be found in the registration section or by clicking on the “show” button in the main menu.
Owners of Appaloosas registered with the ApHCC have a wonderful opportunity to dual-register their Appaloosas with the ApHC.
IT’S SIMPLE! No Stallion Breeding Reports, Breeder’s Certificates, or Transfers of Ownership necessary!
To receive an ApHC Certificate of Registration, simply submit your request along with a photocopy of the front and back of the ApHCC Certificate of Registration, four current photographs of your horse, clearly showing both sides, a complete front and rear view, and a $100 fee (US funds).
For an ApHCC Re-Registration form, please go to this link: http://www.appaloosa.com/pdfs/CanadianOpenWindowRE_REG.pdf, or call us at 208.882.5578 ext. 300
ApHC registration classification and eligibility are subject to ApHC rules and regulations.
Volunteers from the ION ApHC regional club spent the weekend in Nampa greeting visitors at the Idaho Horse Expo. The three-day event is coordinated by the Idaho Horse Council and a raft of helpers. In addition to the trade show, clinics and exhibitions, there were several opportunities to support youth programs and interact with organizations involved with trail development and preservation.
Thanks to all the Appaloosa gang who invested their time in breed promotion at the expo.
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