Story by: Patti Ansuini © 2009 ~ All photos courtesy of Charles Hilton Images ~
www.charleshiltonimages.com
Dan Lopez admits he’d heard about Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Race and had even seen the number one rated RFD TV show a time or two. It was fun to watch, but adds that it had never occurred to him that he might one day become a seriously Extreme contender.
At 74, Dan is semi-retired but still trains and shows a few horses for long time clients. The past few years he has geared down his operation and enjoys some free time riding his favorite mount, a colorful 12 year old Appaloosa stallion known as Badger Lee. The pair help friends out at cattle round ups and of course he wouldn’t miss a spring branding with his friends and neighbors.
During the holiday season several of Dan’s friends had stopped by and talked up Craig Cameron’s Extreme Cowboy Race. They asked his opinion on how he felt about entering the fast paced event that was scheduled for a run during the upcoming Equine Affair in Pomona, California. Several of his clients had asked that if he weren’t interested in taking a shot at the title himself perhaps he’d consider training them.
Dan reflected on the idea for a short time and gave them the answer most had hoped for. He didn’t feel he could honestly train someone to do something he’d never done himself so all bets were now on Dan. Family and friends alike reasoned, ‘wouldn’t it be something for that old Reinsman to show those youngsters how it’s really done’.
To read the rest of the excellent article about Dan Lopez, complete with additional photos, click here: extreme-cowboy-race
We’re looking at a potential business partnership with a company that would offer ApHC members a discount rate for an identity-protection program. Would you be interested?
Since we’re closing in on the deadline for declarations of candidacy from folks interested in becoming a director of the ApHC, I’ve been looking at procedures used by other groups and notice that some equine groups require an endorsement from a regional club as well as individual members? Would that matter to you?
Share your successes. Tell us about a good experience you’ve had with regional club community outreach (partnerships with charitable groups, fund-raising or educational activities, public service projects or unique promotional opportunities).
The April issue of the Appaloosa Journal enters production this week and completes March 6.
Final corrections are being made on the National Show premium book.
The 2008 Yearbook is also in process.
Entries were mailed last week for American Horse Publications editorial and design competition for materials published in 2008.
The National FFA Organization will celebrate National FFA week Feb. 21-28, 2009. “Step Up, Stand Out” is the theme this year, challenging FFA members to step up to responsibilities, stand out from the rest of the crowd and reach for success. Nearly half a million FFA members across the nation will participate in National FFA Week activities at the local and state levels.
The Montana House of Representatives voted 66-33 yesterday to approve and send to the Senate a piece of legislation (House Bill #418) that would authorize “investor-owned equine slaughter or processing facilities” in the state.
FROM THE AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL
President Obama has signed into law the Stimulus Bill, which is intended to provide a jump-start to the U.S. economy. The Stimulus Act continues the bigger write-off for horses and other property purchased and placed in service during 2009. These benefits were part of the 2008 Tax Stimulus bill, but expired at the end of 2008. The Stimulus Bill also includes a few other provisions that may impact horse owners.
Expensing Allowance
The first incentive allows an owner who purchases a horse or other business property and places it in service in 2009 to expense up to $250,000 of the cost. This so-called “Section 179” expensing allowance applies to horses, farm equipment and most other depreciable property. Once total purchases of horses and other eligible property reach $800,000, the expense allowance goes down one dollar for each dollar spent over $800,000.
To illustrate the expensing allowance, assume a horse business purchases $750,000 of depreciable property in 2009, including $650,000 for horses. That business can write off $250,000 on its 2009 tax return and depreciate the balance. If instead, purchases were $900,000, the expense allowance would go down by $100,000. In either case, the amount of the purchases not expensed may also be eligible for bonus depreciation, as explained below.
Bonus Depreciation
The second incentive continues the 50% first-year bonus depreciation for horses and most other depreciable property purchased and placed in service during 2009. It applies to any property that has a depreciable life of 20 years or less. Also, the property must be new, meaning that the original use of the horse or other property must commence with the taxpayer. For a horse to be eligible, it cannot have been used for any purpose before it is purchased.
To illustrate expensing and bonus depreciation, assume that in 2009 an owner pays $500,000 for a colt to be used for racing and $50,000 for other depreciable property, bringing total purchases to $550,000. The young colt had never been raced or used for any other purpose before the purchase. The horse business would be able to expense $250,000 (as explained above), deduct another $150,000 of bonus depreciation (50% of the $300,000 remaining balance), and take regular depreciation on the $150,000 balance.
Other Provisions
State and Local Sales Taxes. The Stimulus Bill provides all taxpayers with a deduction for state and local sales and excises taxes paid on the purchase of new cars, light trucks, and recreational vehicles through 2009. The deduction phases-out for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of $125,000 and $250,000 for taxpayers filing a joint return.
NOL Carryback. Current law permits net operating losses (NOLs) to be carried back to the two years before the operating loss occurs and carried forward to the twenty years after the loss. For 2008, the bill would extend the maximum NOL carryback period to five years for small businesses with gross revenue of $15 million or less.
Estimated Tax Payment Relief. The Stimulus Bill reduces the 2009 required estimated tax payments for some small businesses.
Please call the AHC if you have any questions.
Phone: 202-296-4031
www.horsecouncil.org
Greetings everyone,
I hope your year is starting off well. I wanted to send an update around as I’ve received dates of a promotion that John Deere is running across the Eastern half of our country. Last fall I went to a John Deere Equipment training in Florida and they are caravanning that equipment throughout your member areas over the next few months showcasing their new tractor line. They are giving away three tractors with a 1 year lease in a random drawing of attendees. They will also have food and some other giveaways at each of these events and allow time for people to test out the equipment.
This is a great thing to promote to the ApHC members in your territories and we can further help them to know that there are programs like our John Deere program that can help save them money in 2009 through our Appaloosa Members Advantage Program.
Here’s the link to a schedule of upcoming events: www.JohnDeere.com/DriveGreen
Our NTRA Advantage office is working with the majority of the event dates by providing them info on our NTRA & ApHC programs to the dealers for distribution at the events as well as seeking to get the word out to members to let them know about it so they can attend.
The next event will be next week with Southern Tractor in MS. For all those ApHC members that want to attend there are two locations. This is the dealership that we’ve worked with in the past to provide tractors for use at the National Show. They also help with the Dixie Nationals and are very supportive of our Equine John Deere Savings Program with the ApHC and other equine association groups.
February the John Deere Caravan will visit through: MS, TN, AL, & GA
March it will continue on to: NC, VA, KY, OH
April it will finish through: PA, NY, DE
Jennifer Evely
Appaloosa Members Advantage
Toll Free: 888-304-SPOT (7768)
We received a note from George and Iola Hatley about the recent death of a friend of the ApHC. Almon D. Manes, 85, a lifelong resident of Clearwater, Idaho, passed away Feb. 11, 2009. Mr. Manes was a rancher, fiddle maker and pilot. He was Idaho National Fiddle Champion in 1968. Almon served his country in 1944 in the 79th Infantry Division, Company A, 113th Regiment of the Army.
“When the Appaloosa Horse Club was producing the movie ‘Appaloosa,’ Almon rode an Appaloosa mare through some very difficult rocks, proving the breed was very sure-footed,” George said. “Almon and his wife Virginia supplied the music for the second segment of the Chief Joseph Trail Ride.”
Technique, a 1997 gelding, foaled on May 25, and was humanely euthanized on Valentine’s Day February 14th, 2009 due to internal organ displacement complications and inability to control the pain. The vets Dr. Wan and Dr. McCraigie suspected bladder cancer. We decided due to Techie’s personality and rambunctious ways, he was not a candidate for surgery & convalescence. His entire family was with Techie until he passed. We thank Dr. Wan for being so patient with us and his wife for interrupted Valentine’s Day plans. We appreciate his kindness shown to us when making this extremely hard decision.
Techie was owned and loved by the Lister Aley family of Yorba Linda, California. He came to live with us on January 9, 2003. Techie was primarily shown by son, Burton Skyler Lister Aley, daughter Devany and their mother, Tisa Aley. Technique won a World Reserve Champion Hunter Under Saddle title as a 2 year old prior to coming to join our family. Techie and Skyler were the 2003 4-H State Champion in Hunter Hack.
Techie was initially a challenge. He overcame his fears and learned to trust. Techie learned to love many things during his time with us. He loved to travel, he went on trail rides, went camping, he was shown up and down the State of California and he loved his family and herd mates Buddy and Cammie.
This year Skyler showed us that he and Techie could perform a complete Showmanship pattern bridle less. Quite an accomplishment if you knew Techie in his younger years. Techie was big, beautiful, talented and much loved by his family and we are all heartbroken that he’s no longer with us.
Techie came to Skyler in a dream today. Techie had sprouted HUGE spotted wings and a unicorn horn. He was using his horn to spear oranges and was happily destorying an orange orchard. If that is what he is up to, we know he’s happy. His Aunt Joan Johnson preceded him in death and we know they have found each other at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again, you will always be in our hearts, Techie boy.
Note: Technique was previously registered under the name: Niwacas Tomahawk, barn name“Tommy.” His registration number was 565503. His breeder was Victoria Sandvik of Ni Waca Appaloosa Ranch, Steamboat Springs, Colorado. His Sire was Confettis Shadow. His Dam was Shiny Whistle.
Thanks to Pam Hargesheimer and Dennis Dean for forwarding this information from Lister Aley.
Nutrenaworld.com now has a brand new look and feel. The website is designed to be a central source for current and prospective customers to get the latest news on Nutrena brand products, find Nutrena brand retailers, and share information.
Visitors to the site will notice a more contemporary look and a more streamlined, user-friendly format. The new site features a prominent “store locator” tool that allows customers to find the nearest Nutrena brand retailer. “As we created this new website, the most important component for us was to make sure it was easy to navigate and had an intuitive design,” said Deb Correll, Nutrena brand manager. “Customers are now just a few clicks away from finding out where they can purchase their favorite Nutrena brand products.”
The new Nutrenaworld.com remains consistent with the company’s more than 80 years of expertise in the care and feeding of animals. The site includes a “MyNutrenaStory” feature, which allows people to leave online testimonials, share information about their favorite products, and post photos of their animals. There also is a new section focused on innovation, giving customers an inside look into product research and development.
“We want customers to feel connected with each other as well as the Nutrena brand products they use,” said Correll. “So we created a place for people to come together, learn more about the Nutrena brand and share information about their horses, pets and livestock- and we call this place Nutrenaworld.”
Source: Cargill news release
What’s black and white, read all over and lasts a lifetime? The Appaloosa Yearbook! And what better place to advertise or extend congratulatory praise than the Appaloosa Yearbook—where cherished memories last a lifetime. The Appaloosa Horse Club is offering this special advertising opportunity for a mere $100. This the perfect occasion for parents to congratulate their successful youth competitors or trainers to advertise their services—the possibilities are endless. Contact the ApHC Marketing Department to book your ad to today: 208-882-5578; marketing@appaloosa.com or publicrelations@appaloosa.com
• Ads are due March 17. No exceptions, no extensions.
• Ad size: 2.05” x 3.25”
• Accepted formats: .tif, .jpg, .png, .pdf, .eps, .psd, .ai, or .indd
• $100 for camera-ready ads, min. 300 dpi.
• $100 for text-only ads
• Additional costs for design. Please call for details.
To help horse enthusiasts better interpret equine behavior, My Horse University at Michigan State University (MSU) is offering a three-part webcast series in March and April.
Camie Heleski, MSU Department of Animal Science, will head up the series March 18 with a webcast titled “Horse Behavior Categories.” March 25, Katherine Houpt, Cornell University, will discuss “Understanding Horse Body Language.” And on April 1, Cindy McCall, Auburn University, will present “Managing Horse Behavior: Let Your Horse Be a Horse.”
Registration is $25 for each webcast or $50 for the entire series. To register, visit www.myhorseuniversity.com. All three webcasts will be archived for future viewing by registered participants. For more information, visit www.equisearch.com.
We received a note from Geraldine Herman of Douglas, Massachusetts, regarding the saga of “Mouse.” She also sent a copy of an article in the Horseman’s Yankee Pedlar , part of which is below.
‘Mouse’, a ten year old Appaloosa gelding was injured during President Barack Obama’s inaugural parade in January. Mouse and his rider, Deb Fuller, were part of the Southern Ohio Ladies Aside team. They were just entering the parade route when a horse and carriage spooked him. The gelding’s leg somehow slid between the bumper and the vehicle, causing workmen to take the truck apart to free him. Veterinarians were on the scene immediately to sedate the horse. Team member Kate Mitchell dismounted quickly to help hold the startled horse.
Mouse tied up the parade for more than an hour, as he lay sprawled on the street, blocking traffic. Appaloosas really know how to be the center of attention! It took twelve men and women nearly two hours to untangle the gelding’s leg so he could be transported for further treatment.
The Humane Society of the United States contacted Lt. Colonel John Scott of the U.S. Army Veterinary Services to stabilize Mouse. Mouse was then loaded into an ambulance and taken to Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, which had been a staging area for Inaugural horses, where his wounds were stitched. Luckily the horse suffered no broken bones.
Mouse, registered as Brea’s Song (Kiersy’s Kat x Windsong), was field bred and raised byy Dr Kathy Forred of Harper, KS in April of 1998. His nickname was due to his grey foal color. He is registered as a bay but Amy describes him as chocolate with an ever-changing snowflake pattern. Amy met Dr Forred when she visited the local ER (where she also worked) as a patient one night after being bucked off her warmblood and loosing several teeth. She was quite ready to hang up her spurs on the spot. Luckily, Kathy was there to change her mind and invite her out to her place to ride Mouse. She had ridden Mouse before on a couple trail rides and had liked the gelding. Kathy told her to come out with her trailer and just bring him home. She was determined to keep Amy riding!
Mouse was 5 years old at this time. Amy did as suggested and has never regretted her decision. She credits her Appaloosa with restoring her trust in horses and riding. Kathy gifted her with Mouse’s registration papers the following Christmas.
Amy was also getting involved in riding sidesaddle at this time. She had always been interested in horses, history, antiques, social etiquette and playing dress-up so she was immediately hooked. Best of all, Mouse enjoyed it too!
The pair looked for places to promote their passion. They rode in parades and performed at Expos in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. They went on a five day cattle ride across the plains, chasing a hundred head of long horns. They would take trips to Colorado, and ride to elevations of over 12,000 feet and Mouse was never tired! They took part in The Great Western Trail Ride in 2004 ( a ride from Bandera, Texas to Dodge City, Kansas). They did a week at the beginning and the end and Amy was sitting aside the whole way!
Amy and Mouse have moved around a bit; from New Jersey to New Mexico and back to Maryland. They are pictured in several travel brochures promoting tourism in these areas, as well as shining a spotlight on sidesaddle riding.
In September 2007, as they were heading home again to Maryland, Amy’s truck got a flat just outside of Amarillo, Texas. In order to fix the flat she had to unload Mouse from the trailer. Mouse got loose and started to head West in the East bound lanes of Interstate 40. Amy panicked, quickly finished changing the tire and found her horse tied to a fence on the side of the road! Some good Samaritan had caught him and tied him up where he patiently waited. He loaded right back up and off they went.
In September of 2008 Amy took him to the USET headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey. Liberty sidesaddle hosts an all aside show there every year. Amy had attended several times as a volunteer and was thrilled to finally have her own horse there. She wasn’t planning on showing Mouse but after much encouragement she entered him into a W/T English Pleasure division. She was delighted to find, “My little Appy who I had pulled from the field just two days before won Reserve Champion!! My most treasured ribbons!” You can catch the performance on www.youtube.com if you search for ‘Amy Sidesaddle at US Equestrian Team’
The sidesaddle group that Amy rides with applied to ride in the Inaugural Parade but was not selected. The Southern Ohio Ladies Aside was chosen and member Deb Fuller asked if she could borrow Mouse for the parade. Amy, of course, was thrilled to lend her horse for such a once in a lifetime event. She describes the accident: “Mouse spooked at a horse and carriage that came up through the ranks of the SOLA gals and started backing up. He backed up into a parked SUV and kicked, getting his left hind leg stuck into the winch attached to the SUV. He fell to the ground and according to Deb, just laid there. Enter the Days End Farm Horse Rescue team and the veterinarians from the US Army. The winch was removed from the SUV, Mouse’s leg was treated, and Mouse was assisted to a standing position and loaded onto an awaiting horse ambulance. He was given a full lights and sirens escort out of DC and back to the Prince George’s County Equestrian Center in MD. I was called at work and I met the trailer just as it pulled into the Center. I had called my friends Barb and Tom Thelen on the Eastern shore and they were on their way with their trailer to take Mouse to my Vet. We loaded him onto the Thelen’s trailer and proceeded to the eastern shore. Tom got pulled over for speeding on our way to the Vet’s. He explained our situation and was waved on by the officer. Mouse was treated for multiple lacerations and received 8 stitches. His leg was wrapped and he was home in his stall by 10pm that night. His day had started at 4AM!”
Mouse and his owner, Amy Manny of Annapolis, made a return engagement visit to Days End Farm on February 4th to thank all the folks who worked on rescuing the Appaloosa. His stitches had been removed and the small wound area was closing and healing just fine. His ‘get well’ party was hosted by the Rescue Farm and he was given a ‘cake’ of honey-soaked grain with carrot candles.
The Inaugural Parade included 217 horses. Brooke Vrany, director of Programs and Emergency Services at Days End, was on duty the day of the parade, with her horse ambulance – just in case. Lt. Colonel Scott was on duty as well. Days End takes in abused and neglected horses seized by local governments and provides emergency horse rescue services at local events. This was the second event for Vrany and the ambulance but the first time their service was needed.
Manning, a registered nurse, devised a creative fundraiser for the rescue operation. After Mouse’s incident he was due for a new pair of shoes. Manning framed three of his shoes and added plaques telling Mouse’s story. She put the framed shoes up for auction on eBay where they sold to a Days End patron for $915, and donated the money to the rescue. She kept the fourth shoe, from the injured leg, for herself. One of the shoes will be given to President Barack Obama as a keepsake to remind him of the late start of his parade.
The most recent e-newsletter asks the question: Why do you enjoy being part of the Appaloosa Horse Club? We’d like feedback about the various reasons ApHC members choose to become members. Friendly competition in the show ring? Camaraderie on the trail? Whatever the reason, set it to paper (or pixels) and tell us why the ApHC is your association. The testimonials that best embody the spirit of the Appaloosa association will receive a FREE custom Appaloosa E-mail account and will be published in Appaloosa Journal for the world to read. Submit your testimonial to the ApHC Marketing Department at publicrelations@appaloosa.com or post a comment here.
We received this note from Dennis Dean, ApHC director, about a tragedy in California. Not sure of original author.
Reined working cow horse and cutting trainer Doug Ingersoll (Lincoln, California) lost a 4000 square foot barn with all their tack and 12 horses in an early morning fire on Friday the 23rd. Apparently Doug had to be tackled by the fire crews to prevent him from trying to go into the barn…there was just no way to save the horses, who likely died of smoke inhalation before flames. There were no human injuries, 1 of the horses that was killed belonged to Doug, the others apparently were client horses. His other barn housed 8 horses and they were not affected by the fire. He & Debbie have lost all of their tack and equipment.
According to Deb Shatley, if anyone has had cutters or reiners you probably have an idea what he needs…however he does work young horses and uses plain snaffles, wire snaffles, etc. If you have something you wish to donate please call or email Deb first so she can determine if the item is still needed. Deb’s phone # is 916-768-6837 and email dgshatley@gmail.com.
They do not know what caused the fire, and it is being investigated.
It has been reported that Sun Circuit is already doing a fundraiser for them which is going on now and NRCHA is also lining up some benefits. MD Barns has contacted them already and want to help in the rebuild.
A fund has been set up at Bank of America: Doug & Debbie Ingersoll Fire Fund, Account number 08829-70156. People can apparently make a deposit for them at any B of A, or send their checks to Debbie Shatley, P. O. Box 519, Lincoln, CA 95648.
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