In the wake of Eight Belles’ euthanasia following injuries in the recent Kentucky Derby, a Gallup poll (www.gallup.com/poll/107293/PostDerby-Tragedy-38-Support-Banning-Animal-Racing.aspx) reveals that almost four in 10 Americans (38%) say they would favor banning sports that involve competition between animals.
Women were slightly more in favor of banning racing than men, and those 18 to 29 favored a ban slightly more than older age groups. There was little difference in these attitudes by church attendance or by political party. Results were based on telephone interviews, with 1,017 national adults 18 and up, conducted May 8-11.
In addition to the question about banning horse and dog racing, Gallup’s annual Values and Beliefs survey updated a broader question about the treatment of animals, last asked in 2003. A quarter of Americans said animals deserve the same rights as humans, while almost all of the rest agreed animals should be given some protection from harm and exploitation.
Gallup reported that the aforementioned attitude toward the treatment of animals is virtually the same as it was five years ago.
– Bloodhorse.com
Every once in a while it’s my duty to broaden the range of topics available to Blog Spot readers. This photo is of Drew Eggers, a mint farmer from the Nampa, Idaho, area. His irrigated farm was part of a tour for folks attending a Livestock Publications Council workshop this past week in Boise. As a relative newcomer to the Gem State, I continue to learn about the variety and inter-connectedness of our agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Eggers produces peppermint and spearmint, processes the harvested material through the distillery in the photo and markets the oil. His product ends up in your toothpaste, chewing gum and a host of other everyday stuff. As with most other commodities, the value of mint oil has doubled in the past year. Of course almost all of a farmer’s input costs have soared as well. But it’s pretty impressive to think that a barrel of mint oil is worth approximately $10,000 these days. Almost makes gasoline seem affordable.
The Appaloosa Horse Club is pleased to announce the results from the 2008 Board of Directors election.
There were contested elections in two territories. In Territory I (Zone A) the new director will be Lynette Thompson, Garfield, Washington. In Territory III (Zone A) Jim Jirkovsky, Kearney, Nebraska, is re-elected. Each will serve a three-term on the board.
The following directors ran unopposed and are therefore re-elected to an additional three-year term:
In Territory II (Zone A), Dennis Dean, Apple Valley, California;
In Territory IV (Zone A), Larry Baker, Sumner, Texas;
In Territory VI (Zone A), Laura Lyon, Howell, Michigan;
*In Territory V (Zone A), Although technically “properly nominated and deemed” re-elected, Eric Beené has declined the directorship term which begins July 3, 2008. According to ApHC bylaws, the Board of Directors may make a termporary appointment of any directorship to be filled by appointing an ApHC member domiciled in the affected geographical zone, but a special election is required when the unexpired term of the vacancy exceeds one year.
The bylaws do not require a special election to be held immediately, therefore a temporary appointment could be made and remain in effect for the period of time between swearing in and the next regularly scheduled election. Of course, the appointed person may then run as a candidate for the unexpired term.
I was drawn to a feature in last weekend’s New York Times about the Horse Institute in Ancramdale, N.Y. The writer, Harry Hurt III, participated in a session for corporate types and came away with some interesting insights.
According to Marie-Claude Stockl, the executive director and co-owner of the Horse Institute, “Horses are like people, they introduce themselves at their own pace.” This was in reference to an exercise in which the participants needed to figure out how to catch their horse.
Another good quote from Stockl: “The biggest problem in the corporate world is that we don’t live in the present. When we come to the workplace, we bring in grudges and things from the past and worries about the future. Horses live in the present. They don’t hold grudges. They’re happy to try something new, unlike many of us who remain stuck in the past. Living in the present works for horses. I think it works for humans, too.”
The Horse Institute is a specialized offshoot of the nonprofit Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (see, there really is an association for everything and everyone).
ApHC members from several regional clubs gathered in Moscow, Idaho, this past weekend for another in a series of Territory I workshops. The group visited the ApHC office and the Appaloosa Museum before settling in for some good discussion and idea sharing. As you might expect, topics ranged from the economy to the rulebook. It was encouraging to hear quite a bit of conversation about ways regional clubs could do more things cooperatively, or at least communicate more with each other about what works and what doesn’t.
It was a treat for the members to have George and Iola Hatley join us for dinner on Saturday evening. Mr. Appaloosa was also our celebrity tour guide during the museum visit.
Member services, ApHC programs, marketing, registration questions and suggestions for ways to reach out to prospective members were all discussed. A summary of meeting topics will be posted soon, but here are a few items from my notes:
Keep working on some version of an “Appendix Registry” and consider expanding to include sport horses and others.
Consider adjustments to requirements for show approval such as the application deadline, minimum distance between shows, mandatory classes, number of horses entered, etc.
Allow youth and non-pro exhibitors to lease their horses.
Add a “horses-wanted” section to the website.
Upgrade the ACAAP program to make it more prestigious (and understandable).
Provide incentives to groups hosting show circuits or multiple shows.
The ApHC recently sent a survey to breeders (owners of mares at the time of breeding) who, according to our records, owned a mare or mares bred in 2005 and 2006, which did not produce an ApHC-registered foal in the year following breeding. Our intention was to verify breeding and foaling records for those two years and, specifically, to categorize the reasons why foals were not documented.
For example, if the mare was sold while still in foal and the new owner did not register the foal, or the mare failed to conceive, the foal died or the owner simply chose not to register the foal, it would be helpful for us to know about it.
Only those breeders who received the survey need to respond, but we encourage them to visit the website identified in the letter and provide information electronically (preferred method), or send the survey card to ApHC by mail.
Thank you to all the breeders who have responded. Contact the ApHC Registration Department if you have questions or need assistance with the survey.
This year’s Apache Land Trail Ride, the 25th, was staged in Western New Mexico near Gallup. Forests and meadows in the Zuni Mountains on the Cibola National Forest provided a scenic backdrop. The area’s cultural history is rich and riders were able to visit important sites ranging from cliff dwellings to sweat lodges to sawmills.
The Apache Land ride is one of four ApHC-sponsored rides and usually attracts participants from all walks of life and all parts of the country. An Appaloosa horse is not required, but having one reduces the risk of overnight spot applications by your “trail pals.” It’s obvious that lifelong friendships have been formed on this and other ApHC rides. If you’ve never been with us for a trail ride, give it some serious consideration. The enjoyment and stress-reduction benefits are worth more than a country club membership or bus tour.
A special thanks to JOANNA BRYANT for letting us use her photos. Although I managed to snap a few, most of what we’ve used here belong to Joanna.
Blue skies, the sweet aroma of pine trees and the company of good people made for pleasant days on last week’s Apache Land Trail Ride. Based at the Z Lazy B Guest Ranch in New Mexico, the ride included approximately 80 participants who came from 19 states.
Being the 25th Anniversary of the ride, some special awards, prizes and recognition were offered during the week. We’ve captured a few of those in other ALTR posts. I had the opportunity to ride with the group on Friday and enjoyed every minute of it. These folks are true ambassadors for the breed and help define the recreational category of horse ownership. Thanks to everyone for your support of this year’s ride.
These are the people who make it all happen on an ApHC-sponsored ride. The “crew” is responsible for everything but the weather. They literally scout the best trails, organize the riders and keep them safe, tend to the health of people and horses and share some really good stories. In the case of Hugh Williams, coordinator for the ride, there are countless other details, not the least of which is putting together an impressive collections of awards and prizes.
Left to right: Dr. Leon Self, Oklahoma – official trail ride veterinarian; Gene Latham, New Mexico – scout; Jeff Hoffman, Texas – scout; John Young, Texas – scout and personal valet; Kirk Knowlton, Texas – farrier and coordinator of pranks; Mike Howard, Texas – chief scout, emcee, storyteller, etc.; Dr. John Corpolongo, Oklahoma – official trail ride physician; and Hugh Williams, New Mexico – ride manager.
Thanks to these gentlemen for all their work and support. The 25th Anniversary Apache Land Trail Ride was truly a success and these guys get most of the credit. All the riders get a good dose of thanks as well for their significant investment of time, money and good will.
We need to shine the Appaloosa spotlight on some true veterans of the Apache Land Trail Ride. These folks have been involved from the beginning and share the distinction of participating in all 25 rides! Their brand of dedication is humbling and certainly worthy of our gratitude and congratulations.
Left to right: Al Maxey, Colorado; Cathy Benoit, Florida; Dr. John Corpolongo, Oklahoma – official trail doctor on this and all other ApHC-sponsored rides; Judy Haas, Arizona; Martha Howard and Mike Howard, Texas – Mike is chief scout, emcee, cheerleader, etc.
As you can guess, these people are long-time promoters of the Appaloosa breed and find numerous ways to support the efforts of the Club. “Thank you” doesn’t quite do the trick, but it’s a start.
Jeff and Kathleen Hoffman, Paradise, Texas, are regulars on the Apache Land Trail Ride. Jeff serves as a scout/wrangler for the ride (thus the red vest) and the pair of young retired folks always enjoy the company of old and new friends who participate. They also happen to be excellent dancers and all-around good people. We appreciate the fact that they continue to set a good example by riding Appaloosas that look good and know their way along the trail. Thanks Jeff and Kathleen for being loyal supporters of the Apache Land ride.
Absolutely the happiest person among Apache Land Trail Ride participants was and is Marge Anderson, winner of a drawing for a three-year-old Appaloosa filly generously donated by Mike Mataya. She’s shown here with Mike and Hugh Williams (left), ride manager. Mike is headquartered in nearby Thoreau, New Mexico, and is a long-time supporter and promoter of the Appaloosa breed.
Marge was on the ride with a group from the Wisconsin area to celebrate a friend’s birthday. In fact, it was her very first ApHC trail ride. Marge says, “I didn’t know how dumb I was to have missed doing this ride.” She happens to have a 23-year-old Appaloosa gelding (Bandit) at home, but he’s too old and out of shape for long rides. Marge says she’s been thinking she needed another horse. What a deal!
Regarding the Apache Land Trail Ride, Marge says “This has been one of the greatest adventures of my life – something that truly feeds my soul. Winning this filly has been the frosting on the cake. The generosity of Mike Mataya has stunned me. I cannot thank him enough.”
A native of Wisconsin, currently living in Pewaukee, Marge says she’s never lived more than 20 miles from where she was born. Her family traces back to pre-statehood days. She’s also spent most of her adult life avoiding the city, but she works there and commutes in plenty of traffic. As for her thoughts these days she says, “I need to get to the country – forever!”
One of the special features of the 25th Anniversary Apache Land Trail Ride was the prize drawing for a new saddle. Ride manager Hugh Williams presented the anniversary saddle to ApHC trail ride veteran Patricia McGlothlin, whose home is in Colorado.
The crowd was tense and excited as the name slips were stirred and a single chuck of paper was pulled from the hat (or was it a bowl?). Patricia’s eyes got very big and she literally jumped for joy.
A word of thanks to ApHC director Chuck McWhirter for his help in providing the saddle.
An important part of this year’s Apache Land Trail Ride was the opportunity to see and learn about native cultures that are so closely linked to this area of western New Mexico (near Gallup and Fort Wingate). Although I wasn’t along for the ride when this photo was taken, I’m guessing ride manager Hugh Williams is offering an explanation about the ruins and who lived there. Each day took the riders in a slightly different direction and through a variety of terrain and scenery.
The Apache Land Trail Ride is one of four ApHC-sponsored rides held each year. Anyone who enjoys exploring wide open country and the chance to mingle with like-minded horse enthusiasts is advised to make plans for next year.
Approximately 80 riders participated in the 25th Anniversary of the Apache Land Trail Ride last week. The Z Lazy B Guest Ranch served as headquarters for the “wagon wheel” ride. Each day featured different scenery and landscape, as well as some historic reference points related to various cultural groups which have called this region of New Mexico their home. Hugh Williams was the main man as ride manager, but he had a great support crew and a roster of folks who were determined to have an enjoyable week away from just about everything.
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