Don’t Miss the SECOND voting episode at 8pm EST on September 27, 2011 (that’s tonight)!
Watch the second ten finalists as they compete to earn your vote and their share of the $100,00 in prize money! America’s Favorite Trail Horse will air at 8pm EST on HRTV DISH channel 404. Every episode will be shown FREE on www.actha.tv simultaneously at 8pm EST. Voting starts as soon as the episode is over at 9pm EST and will be open for 48 hours per episode. If you missed any of the episodes, you can still watch it at www.actha.tv
How to VOTE:
Ten horse are showcased in each of the 10 episodes, with one horse chosen
as a winner of each $5000 episode. The 10 winning horses then proceed to
the final round where 3 grand prize winners will be awarded a total of
$50,000. Only one vote per email address per episode and voting starts
after each Tuesday night episode at 8pm EST.
Last week’s winner was Marjorie Chema riding Emmy Lee! (1/2 Spanish Arab
1/2 Oldenburg)
Every Vote counts! Pass the word! Tell us your Favorite!
www.actha.us
Racing star Captain Bucko streaked to victory in the Cricket Bars Appaloosa Futurity this past Saturday and set a new track record for Will Rogers Downs in Oklahoma. He clocked the 400-yard race in 19.891 and registered a speed index of 99. Congratulations to Captain Bucko, owners Racinms/Anita Ruiz, trainer Luis Villafranco and jockey Adalberto Candanosa. Gary Vaughan’s Ivory Queen was second and John Haid’s Special Jessie finished third. Total purse for the race was $43,250.
by Juli Thorson
NOTE: A memorial service will be held in Moscow at the University of Idaho Administration Auditorium at 2:00 pm on Saturday, Oct 15th. A reception will follow at the University Inn Best Western at 4:00 pm.
George B. Hatley, past executive secretary of the Appaloosa Horse Club and one of the breed’s most tireless supporters, died September 16 (2011) in Moscow, Idaho, of causes related to age. He was 87. He was widely known in the horse world as “Mr. Appaloosa” for his efforts to preserve and promote the Appaloosa horse, and is a member of the Appaloosa Hall of Fame.
Hatley was born July 18, 1924, to Ray and Neva Dole Hatley on the Hatley ranch south of Pullman, Washington. He attended elementary school at the Irene country school near Union Flat Creek, riding horseback to the schoolhouse. He was exposed to Appaloosas and stories about them at a young age. A great uncle had fought in the Nez Perce War of 1877, and a smattering of area farmers, cowboys, and native Americans still possessed the occasional Appaloosa.
In 1936 Hatley’s family moved to a farm west of Moscow, near the present location of the Appaloosa Horse Club. He graduated from Moscow High School in 1942. He acquired an Appaloosa stallion, Toby II, during this period, and after reading an article about Appaloosas in an issue of “Western Horseman,” joined the newly created Appaloosa Horse Club as member No. 45.
Hatley worked on the construction of Farragut Naval Training Station and later took basic Navy training there. After discharge from the Navy , he met ApHC founder Claude Thompson, who soon appointed him to be his assistant. Hatley took the reins as executive secretary in 1947, the same year he married Iola Golden. He attended the University of Idaho on the G.I. Bill, graduating in 1950 with a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry. The couple’s son, Craig, was born in 1955.
Hatley worked as executive secretary of the Appaloosa Horse Club for 31 years, the early ones without pay. He started the association’s magazine, “Appaloosa News” (now “Appaloosa Journal”), published its first studbooks, implemented the first National Appaloosa Show and Sale (held in Lewiston, Idaho, in 1948 and 1949), and started the Appaloosa Museum. He wrote hundreds of articles and several books, including “Horse Camping,” a classic now in its third printing.
He was instrumental in development of the Chief Joseph Appaloosa Trail Ride, and rode the 1,300-mile route of the Nez Perce War Trail twice. He also completed the 100-mile, one-day Western States Trail Ride, or Tevis Cup, across the Sierra Nevada. Hatley enjoyed horse racing and had two winning lines come from his breeding program. The Appaloosa racing stallion Double Patch won 22 races, and another stallion, Apache Double, won 18 races and went on to become an all-time leading sire.
He was a longtime cattleman who also enjoyed driving horses and collecting horse-drawn vehicles. He made his Deary, Idaho, ranch available for Pony Club, dressage and combined training, 4-H trail rides, and driving events. The Apalousey Trail Ride and Dutch Oven Dinner, a benefit for the Appaloosa Museum, has been held there the past 14 years.
Hatley received numerous honors throughout his life, including membership in the Idaho Hall of Fame and a showcasing in “Sports Illustrated.” In 2004, the United States Pony Clubs designated Hatley a legend for his efforts on behalf of USPC.
He greatly prized an honor presented to him during a Lewiston Roundup by the Nez Perce tribe, where he was presented with a pair of beaded buckskin gauntlet gloves and a Pendleton blanket.
Hatley is survived by his widow Iola at their Moscow home, along with son Craig and daughter-in-law Cheri Hatley in Deary, plus grandchildren Justin Hatley and Danielle Hatley Pierson (Derek), and a sister, Veletta Frink. He was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister, Berneda Hamilton.
Details of a memorial service are pending. Burial of ashes will be at the Hatley Cemetery south of Pullman. Hatley left an epitaph for his gravestone, which is to read, “He has returned to the hills he loved as a boy, and will be a part of them forever.”
Memorial contributions may be made to the Appaloosa Museum, 2720 West Pullman Road, Moscow, ID 83843, and the Hatley Cemetery, P.O. Box 1035, Pullman, WA 99163.
This year’s Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary was another big, fun affair. Perfect weather, good crowds, spectacular international jumping competition and the entertaining TELUS Battle of the Breeds. Team Appaloosa finished in second place overall among 10 breed groups. Congratulations and thanks to the members shown here: Allie Sutton, Kaylee McLachlin, Kristin Lee and Lynn Johnson. It all came down to the last horse in the last class, so spectators were pretty enthused. The Appaloosa Horse Association of Alberta took care of an attractive exhibit at Equi-Faire and organized the team. The expected attendance mark of 200,000 people was surpassed and there were folks stopping by the booth who actually wanted information about buying Appaloosas…kind of a nice experience to find out that the mood “out there” is somewhat positive. I’ll be posting a few more photos in the blog album. Thanks to Laurie, Ann and Mary Lou for all your help!
A good memory from Christy Wood:
I am saddened with the news that my friend and Appaloosa Horse Club Judge, Art Gaytan, passed away a few weeks ago. He loved all horse breeds and was a well rounded judge. I have many stories that include Art, as I am sure many of his judge friends can also remember, but one in particular. It was an Appaloosa show being held at the Paso Robles fairgrounds in the mid 1980′s. Art entered the Heritage class (then called the costume class) as a brave. And brave he was, as the only thing he was wearing was a breech cloth and carrying a bow and quiver, and riding bare back. When he came into the line up and the judge, Billy Harris, walked to him for his story, Art, asked his horse to lay down and he crouched behind him as his interpretation of being in a battle and using his horse for a shield! Magnificent! Billy did not think so, and went with the rule that a horses shoulder and hip can not touch the ground and DQ’d Art! It still is a wonderful memory of the talent that Art had with horses and his enjoyment of life. In this photo I have sent you from left to right are Art Gaytan, Judy Wright, Myself, Christy Wood, and Sonny Williams. The picture was taken at a breed show held at the Orange County Fairgrounds. God’s speed, Art, and I’ll be riding bareback with you again sometime.
Follow the amazing journey of the nation’s top 100 trail horses on America’s Favorite Trail Horse and vote for your favorite, who will receive their share of the $100,000 in prize money. America’s Favorite Trail Horse will premiere at 8pm EST on September 13th 2011 on HRTV on DISH channel 404. Check your local listings on cable networks. Every Episode will also be shown FREE on www.actha.tv simultaneously at 8pm EST. Voting starts as soon as the episode is over at 9pm EST Tuesday and voting will be open for 48 hours per episode.
ApHC member George Ehmer (you may recall) is a contestant, so be sure to watch for and vote for George and Joker!
How to Watch America’s Favorite Trail Horse…
TV: Channel 404 on HRTV on the Dish Network
ACTHA.TV Online: www.actha.tv FREE
When to tune in…
Tuesday – 8pm EST/ 5pm PST
Tuesday – Same episode repeats 3 hrs later 11pm EST/8 pm PST
When scheduling permits: Repeats Sunday 10am EST/7am PST
How to vote for your favorite trail horse…
Ten horses are showcased in each of the 10 episodes, with one horse chosen as the winner of each $5000 episode. The 10 winning horses then proceed to the final round where 3 grand prize winners will be awarded a total of $50,000. Only one vote per email address per episode and voting starts after each Tuesday night episode at 8pm EST. Voting is open for 48 hours. You can also REVIEW competitors by watching episodes at www.actha.tv
Thanks to Carla Peacock for providing this good-news PR story from the Dal-Worth Club:
The Dal-Worth ApHC tried a new marketing approach to try to get new youth into our breed and shows. Much like the “bring your kid to work” program, we tried “bring your barn buddy to the show.” There are plenty of youth and non-pro horses that are “packers” at the shows and whose owners agreed to make available for the “guest” riders to utilize for the show.
We offered an iTunes gift card to the person bringing the barn buddy IF the barn buddy joined the ApHC. If they joined the ApHC, we gave them a free Dal Worth membership and allowed them to ride in the youth classes for $5 per class. We figured we would accomplish several things with this: the guest rider would join the ApHC (revenue for the ApHC) and they would be an additional entry in the class. Although they would not earn national points because they would not own the horse, they would count for entries and points for those youth chasing points.
The purpose of the entire deal was to get the kids that rode (either in a lesson program or in another breed) to our shows and competing in our events. We wanted them to experience the fun family atmosphere that is present at the ApHC shows (you have to admit that you won’t find a nicer group of people that the ApHC people!) and get hooked on the friendly and fun competition there. That would hopefully lead to a possible lease of an Appaloosa or even better yet the purchase of an Appaloosa!
Well, it was only one person, but this story has come full circle. There was a young girl named Brooked Dryden that was riding at the barn where Debbie Ryan keeps her horse. Debbie decided to use this program to introduce Brooke to the wonderful Appaloosa people. She arranged for Brooke to utilize her seasoned show horse, JB Fine N Dandy at the Dal Worth Spring Spectacular held in April in Glen Rose, Texas. Brooke joined the ApHC and we gave her a free Dal Worth membership. She showed in several classes for only $5 per class. Brooke had a great time and was in love with JB! Almost as if it was perfectly choreographed, Brooke leased JB and actually went to the Nationals! She had so much fun and was making so many new friends that her family bought her their own Appaloosa while they were in Tulsa!
It was only one new youth member, but it led to a purchase of an Appaloosa and what will hopefully be a long time relationship with our breed. If every club could generate just one new youth per year, think about how many new youth that would bring into our industry! The Dal Worth club liked the response so much that we are going to continue to offer the incentives and run the promotion in the hope of introducing more new youth to our wonderful Appaloosa every year!
Our apologies for being slow with this announcement. Note that Ben was the longest-serving member of the ApHC Board of Directors.
Ben Johnson was born in Provost, Alberta, Canada July 13, 1916 to Jacob and Lydia Johnson. He passed away July 29, 2011 at his home in Delta, CO.
After moving to the Grand Junction area in 1928, Ben attended and graduated from the Appleton School and later attended Ross Business College.
Ben married Dorothy Eastman on Feb. 16, 1941. Their three children are Jerald Johnson (Vicki), Linda Kukal (James), Claire Diers (Gordy).
Ben had a diverse career which included farming, raising horses, and was a recognized and approved horse show judge, uranium driller, artist, and teacher. Ben owned and exhibited 4 National Champion Appaloosa horses as well as training record setting Appaloosa race horses. Ben was the longest serving director of the Appaloosa Horse Club as well as serving as Vice-President for many years. Ben and two of his horses, Patchy and Patchy Jr. are in the Appaloosa Hall of Fame.
In 1975, Ben and Dorothy moved to the eastern slope of Colorado and lived in La Veta for several years before moving to Trinidad, Co where he accepted the position of instructor of fine arts at Trinidad Junior College.
Ben was commissioned to design sculptures by the Appaloosa Horse Club that were presented as awards. He was commissioned by the Trinidad Chamber of Commerce to sculpt the Coal Miners Memorial which sits in the town square. He was commissioned to sculpt and design the Trinidad Junior College’s Trojan mascot which is on display on the campus.
Ben and Dorothy had been married for nearly 58 years when she died in 1998.
Ben married Lois Dick in Trinidad in 2002 and they moved to Delta in 2005 to be near family. Lois died in 2006.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Lydia, brother Raymond, sister Hanna and granddaughter, Sherri. In addition to his children, he is survived by 4 grandchildren, Jonathan, Jennifer, and Jerimiah Johnson and Audra Diers, six great grandchildren, brother Clarence Johnson and sister Ruby Woodcock and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held Saturday, August 6th at Taylor Funeral Home in Delta, Co. Graveside services followed at Elwood Cemetery in Fruita, Co. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any donations to be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 24, Delta, Co 81416.
Note from: Bobbie McTimmons, Back Country Horsemen of Washington, Lewis Co. Chapter; ApHC member
Thought you might be interested in meeting “Wolf” (the Appy) who has walked (both packing and being ridden) from Quoddy Point State Park in Maine to Grayland, WA — a 4-year, 4400 mile trip, 20 miles a day! The trip was made in four laps, side-stepping bad weather each year to return home/beginning the next year, as weather allowed, at the point left off the previous year.
My attached photo (the 3 horses and 2 riders) appeared in the Chehalis, WA “Chronicle” on August 18, 2011. Wolf is the only horse of the three pictured who made the entire trip. The blurb which was published with the photo explains all.
Wolf left Maine June 16, 2007 and arrived at the Pacific Ocean on August 21, 2011. Luckily the two long riders did not experience any of Washington’s famous rain while crossing the state. The rain started the day after they completed their journey.
Wolf belongs to Deb Yavorski, who had a life-dream to ride across the USA. She started out with two horses. Her “non-Appy” Walker proved to be too traffic shy to be safe and she next she bought “Mercury”, her Arab. Deb York joined Yavorski in Montana for the final leg of the trip. She borrowed the QH, “Chiquatah”. The two horsewomen met years earlier at a stable where Yavorski worked and York boarded her horse. Both women are from New York. York rode to honor her mother who passed away in 2007 from leukemia. She says she wanted to do something “extraordinary” before she passed from life (and the trip definitely qualifies in that category).
Deb Yavorski is a member of the Long Riders Guild. She plans to write a book about the trip across the country. I came away from several visits with the two women with the idea that no matter what anyone may say, America is a wonderful place – both women told me that people have been “AMAZING”! Additionally, both women firmly believe that ‘God will provide’ and have many stories to illustrate their belief.
As of today, the women have rented a car and plan to see the Olympia coast beach. (Their horses are being boarded and are resting up while the two long riders see some country and visit). Yesterday plans were being made to have a horse hauler pick up the horses for transport back to New York. The QH was loaned to York and is going back to his pasture in Montana and will work on a pack-string. York plans to get hay in as soon as she gets home and get some painting done around the place. Just business as usual! She is thinking about riding the Pacific Crest Trail in two years. Deb York retired from a job as a cable line woman in 2007; Deb Yavorski will return to her two jobs — she works for an inventory company and subs for the post office. Deb Yavorski is 49; Deb York is 57.
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