If you attended the 61st National Appaloosa and/or Youth World show this year, we would like to have your feedback. On the home page of Appaloosa.com you’ll find the gas pump graphic. Click on it to take our survey. As a token of our appreciation, if you complete the survey by September 4, your name will be entered to win a $200 gas card. Please fill out the contact information at the end to be eligible.
An especially glitzy part of the youth team tournament at the Canadian National Appaloosa Show was the barn decorations. In this case, you may be able to catch the Hollywood theme. The teams put in lots of work to spice up the aisles and their efforts helped enliven the whole show.
I keep repeating myself, I know, but these young folks offer a clear reminder of how and why most of us made the horse/Appaloosa connection way back when. They focus on the task at hand while competing, but they take advantage of every opportunity beyond thhe show ring to make friends and enjoy the experience. I suspect that some or most of you have fond memories of the same.
A feature of the Canadian National Appaloosa Show was the youth team tournament. Entries were up for the show this year and the addition of several new youth teams made much of the difference. Teams from Alberta, Saskatchewan (two teams), Ontario and Manitoba competed along with two teams from the U.S.
Appaloosa versatility was on display, but the key ingredients were sportsmanship and the pursuit of fun on the part of the youth exhibitors.
The note from director Diane Rushing was titled “Our next generation of horsewomen.” The group incluees Jillian Hubbard (7), Emilia Hubbard (3), Rick Rushing (Grandpa) and Madeleine Hubbard (10) at an open show in Shelbyville, Illinois.
It was the first horse show for Jillian and Emilia (who just turned three in June).
We talk about Appaloosas as a family-friendly breed and I’d say this photo provides testament to the marketing approach. The second picture is of Emilia and Grandpa Rick at the Illinois State Fair.
Competitors at the 61st National Appaloosa Show and the 2008 World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show were pursuing the daydream of winning one of these trophies. It’s always an exciting moment when the name is announced and an exhibitor gets to haul the trophy out of the arena.
Most of us involved with the horse show world have a good idea what it takes to get to that point, but it’s still a staggering amount of effort, time and money. Congratulations to everyone who participated in the Jackson shows. We sincerely appreciate the personal sacrifices you made to be a part of these important events. Thanks for making the trip and thanks for helping us shine the spotlight on Appaloosa horses.
After a 10 year absence, the Appaloosa Youth Judging Contest was re-kindled at the National Show. Helping make it happen is Lori Wunderllich, pictured to the left of some of the contestants.
She’s real happy with the results since there were 18 teams in the competition, 2 college/16 youth.
They judge horses in the morning then have to face a real judge in the afternoon where they provide reasons to justify their placements. Lori says the contest provides students a first opportunity to learn judging and develop some real self confidence in their abilities.
You can listen to my interview with Lori here: 
Interview With Lori Wunderlich (2 min MP3)
Last night Callaway performed her benefit concert for support of Appaloosa Youth Association activities. She was a big hit with the young audience.
She played a full set of songs with her band and showed why she’s an up and coming star.
The ring was opened up so that everyone could come down out of the stands and get up close and personal. It took a little coaxing but once Callaway got started most of the crowd moved on down.
You can watch Callaway perform one of her songs in this video:
I know Savannah Scott’s family didn’t bring an extra truck but they’ve got a Featherlite Trailer to take home and use for a year. Savannah received numerous awards. In fact, you need to listen to her list them off in our interview. Besides the trailer she’s taking home 2 saddles, 2 belt buckles and a laptop computer.
I spoke to Savannah, along with her Mom and trainer, after the youth awards yesterday. She says that this is a once in lifetime achievement and she wants to just enjoy the moment. When I asked her if she had to put in a lot of work to be so good she said, “Perfect practice makes perfect.”
She’s going to continue competing and said she may show a couple of horses still before leaving.
You can listen to my interview with the Savannah here: 
Interview With Savannah Scott (2 min MP3)
Everyone at the World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show is either busy or about to be busy and recuperating from being busy or getting enthused about being busy. I found this assortment of Southwestern folks hanging out in barn 23.
Left to right:George Betancourt, San Antonio, Texas, who’s helping wrangle several youth exhibitors this week. George is also a member of the ApHC International Advisory Committee and has been invaluable to the club in coordinating travel and communications with contacts in Mexico. Next are youth exhibitors: Hattie Msuya, Edmond, Oklahoma; Fernando Vera, Guadalajara, Mexico; Jacob and Zachary Jordan, Seguin, Texas.
It was an impressive line-up in this evening’s Saddle Seat Pleasure, 18 & Under class. But I’ll confess that I’ve always been a fan, from wa-a-a-y back to the days of late night “society” horse shows at the local county fair.
In the case of the World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show, we are able to see first-hand evidence of the versatility of our breed and of our young riders. Of course, I also just happen to like the attire — stylish and fancy. What better way to show off a little?
Exhibitors in today’s Showmanship at Halter classes were only part of the scene in the paddock. Grooms, trainers, parents, siiblings, friends and other support crew members made things a bit of a blur. I keep coming back to the fact that the ApHC youth are as good as what any breed group can put in the show ring. I’m so proud of them and I know everyone able to be here in Jackson for the World Championship Youth Show is equally impressed and proud. Thanks to all the youth exhibitors! You’re making it a super event.
This Hunt Seat Equitation class was “deep” with quality. Judges got a good workout evaluating performances by an impressive group of exhibitors at the World Championship Youth Show in Jackson. As you can tell from the crowd, lots of friends, fans and family were anxious to see their favorites do well. Results will be posted on the show section of appaloosa.com.
We need to catch up on earlier news from Sunday’s Appaloosa Youth Association speech contest. There were nine entrants, two categories and two age divisions. As one of the judges, I can tell you that our Appaloosa youth members are GOOD! It was an enjoyable but tough task to assign scores to the presentations.
Pictured here are Anna Brown, ApHC Youth Program Coordinator, and Sarah Whitaker, winner of the 14-18 impromptu speaking category and second-place winner in the prepared speech competition. Sarah is from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and will be a sophomore at Auburn University this fall.
Man, woman and beast seem to have an instinct about avoiding sunburn and crinkled eyes. This Appaloosa and his companion share the protective shade of a golf cart during the bright part of an afternoon in Jackson, Mississippi, as the World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show gets underway. The weather has been summer-like, but not any more challenging than most other parts of the country (and definitely not as hot as California!).
I’m always struck by the convenience afforded by golf carts at horse shows. And, I’m betting, most trainers, parents and exhbitors probably wouldn’t want to know how many trips back and forth from stalls to the show arena they actually make in a week’s time.
Appaloosa World Championship Youth Show competitors in a hunter-under-saddle class keep their horses moving as they wait for the call to enter the show ring. Much like the on-deck circle at a baseball game, participants use the staging area to loosen up, think about what they will need to do to make a hit with the judges and make any adjustments to equipment or strategy. They’ve already been through countless hours of lessons and practice. They’ve lived through similar experiences and certainly know what to do and how to do it. Sometimes the hard part is recreating all the good moves you and your horse have made outside the ring and making a great impression when it counts for the chance to take home a ribbon or trophy from the biggest event of the season.
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