The American Competitive Trail Horse Association is proud to announce Season Two of America’s Favorite Trail Horse, a national TV Series in search of America’s favorite trail horse. “Season One of America’s Favorite Trail Horse was a huge success! The horses we met and the stories that we shared touched our hearts, there was no way that we couldn’t do this again” stated ACTHA co-founder Karen VanGetson. “Our mission is to give the great trail horse the recognition it deserves and this is a wonderful opportunity to do just that”.

In a similar format to Season One, horses all over the country will have a chance to compete to win over $100,000 in cash and prizes, including a new 4 Star living quarter’s trailer. The finals will be held at the beautiful Franklin Family Ranch in Blanco, TX and will be aired on RFD TV!

Do you have a great Trail Horse? Have a partnership you’d like to share with America? TELL US YOUR STORY! We’re looking for all breeds, all skill levels, and lots of personality! Season 2 of America’s Favorite Trail Horse will be completely new! The emphasis this season will be on the horse/human interest story. Every equine and their human partner have a story, a partnership, a bond…we want to hear it! We want to broadcast it to the world and show how awesome the great American Trail Horse is, and we want you to tell us your journey! Each horse and rider in the Finals will be showcased in one of thirteen 1-hour episodes. America will vote for their favorite trail horse during 10 voting episodes, and then America votes again for their favorite from the top winners to crown America’s Favorite Trail Horse 2012!

More Options for 2012!
Season 2 brings some exciting changes. We have designated two divisions to accommodate different levels of competition. The divisions are Professional and Pleasure. We will also offer Live Auditions as well as Video Auditions. See details on our website. We want you on RFD TV this Fall! Go to www.actha.us to register today!

We also wanted you to know that another Appaloosa was prominent in the Tournament of Roses Parade – his registered name is Destiny Seabreeze previously owned by Doug Danner of Solana Beach, California. The Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was riding him in front of the EPlatoon (Equestrian Platoon). The Appaloosa was a stand out as the only “white/grey” horse in the whole entire unit. What significance for the Appaloosa breed that went mostly unnoticed by all but the true appaloosa lover. Those of us Appaloosa lovers were very proud to see this happen and ridden by such a prominent figure in Southern California. They had the highest police leader on the “BEST” horse!!!!! Appaloosas were not only done proud by Calizona but by this very action.

The Chief also rode Destiny Seabreeze and performed at Equestfest. Doug Danner was a member of Calizona ApHC for several years and we are proud on his behalf that his horse was in the parade.

The CZ group consists of 12 mounted riders dressed in the traditions of the Nez Perce and northern plateau and plains region heritage costume and regalia. To quote the opening on their application, “Just Imagine … an animal so deeply embedded in the way of life of one culture that it almost became lost but over time, developed and changed because of the hearts and desires of a second people. Close your eyes and let your imagination take hold. Listen for the faint sound of hooves and see in the distance images of spotted horses, manes and tails floating on the breeze, as they run carefree across the vast open landscape of the western northern plains. Listen more closely as the air is filled with the faint sweet sound of tingling bells and cones as their music joins the sound of hooves on the hard ground growing ever closer. Open your eyes to see that sometimes what is just imagined … has come to life! Look for the Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club equestrian group to follow in the footsteps of their forefathers in the time honored horse parade tradition to celebrate in the Tournament of Rose Parade and promote the spirit of the Appaloosa Horse with the thousands of Appaloosa owners that enjoy the horse today.

The Equestfest group of 10 riders for the performance includes: Paul Foxvog, Leslie Foxvog, Debbie Herzman, Danie Foxvog, Diane Dodd, Christy Wood, Angila Gallagher, Steve Wood, CJ Brooks and Joe Brooks (two other members of the parade group, Evon Owens and Stephanie Rawley, are unable to participate in the Equestfest but will be with the group on Colorado Blvd for the parade on January 2, 2012). Calizona is ready to present the Appaloosa with beautiful stall decorations and ApHC Table top and materials display. Again, watch for the Equestfest performance on RFD-TV 12:00 noon Pacific Time, earlier for Standard/Central time.

Calizona ApHC is extremely excited to put the Appaloosa on display to all throughout this fun day!

Attached are a couple of pictures of visitors to the booth…Jim Jirkovsky and Chet Bennett in one and Danny and Dorine Bennett in the other.

(Thanks Dorine)

Some of us believe the concept of a multi-breed show is a good one. Horse folks getting acquainted, vendors dealing with customers from several segments and sponsors getting their names in front of a cross section of industry participants seem to make sense.

The 2012 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California is themed “Just Imagine” and will be held Monday, January 2 (not January 1st in a tradition every seven or so years to not hold the parade on a Sunday). The CZ group consists of 12 mounted riders dressed in the traditions of the Nez Perce and northern plateau and plains region heritage costume and regalia.

To quote the opening on their application, “Just Imagine … an animal so deeply embedded in the way of life of one culture that it almost became lost but over time, developed and changed because of the hearts and desires of a second people. Close your eyes and let your imagination take hold. Listen for the faint sound of hooves and see in the distance images of spotted horses, manes and tails floating on the breeze, as they run carefree across the vast open landscape of the western northern plains. Listen more closely as the air is filled with the faint sweet sound of tingling bells and cones as their music joins the sound of hooves on the hard ground growing ever closer. Open your eyes to see that sometimes what is just imagined … has come to life! Look for the Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club equestrian group to follow in the footsteps of their forefathers in the time honored horse parade tradition to celebrate in the Tournament of Rose Parade and promote the spirit of the Appaloosa Horse with the thousands of Appaloosa owners that enjoy the horse today.

On June 10-11, Canada’s Outdoor Equine Expo presented the Extreme Cowboy Race and Craig for all who wished to try something just a little different. A sucker for a challenge, I bit and hauled Ima Patriotic Doc to give this YouTube sensation a try. Ima Patriotic Doc is an Appaloosa stallion that has earned 17 National titles, World Show placings and countless high-point awards in his “show pen” career. Cutting, sidesaddle, ranch trail and roping are all within our normal grasp of events, but this was a test beyond our expectations. As Craig explains, speed, horsemandship and the ability to “ride smart” are required to get around this program. The course included jumps, log gates, bridges, ground ties, roll backs, sliding stops, lead changes and a host of other demands, with a need for speed and entertainment.

Our log gate rolled off, jumping barrels we normally turn was a bit different, a single stride lope over a bridge is not a show norm and me on my hands and knees trying to wiggle through a straw tunnel seemed to please the crowd. “Smoke” and I saved the best to near last, with me the guy afraid of height scrambling up a 10′ ladder, egging on the crowd and Smoke throwing down huge stops and rollbacks, much to the delight of everyone. After the times were reviewed, judges’ score sheets tallied and the check endorsed, Ima Patriotic Doc and I were named Reserve Extreme Cowboy Race Champions and awarded a nice big ole check for $1,000!

So, it’s perfectly legal, a ton of fun, about the best entertainment going and just as easy as swinging your leg over your horse’s back to have a good time. Extreme Cowboy Racing is a “Smart Riders” way to bring fun times and fresh faces to horse related events.

Located on the western edge of the Allegheny National Forest, four miles north of Tidioute, PA – the 150+ acre ranch is just a stone’s throw away from the only congressionally designated wilderness area in the Commonwealth of PA. Encompassing 8,663 acres, this pristine area abounds with many species of wildlife including white-tailed deer, coyotes, eagles, wild turkeys and black bear. There is a nearby virgin forest. The trail terrain is moderate rolling hills and single-track and old shale-based logging roads with creek crossings and is suitable for beginning to intermediate riders. Expect to ride an average of 15 miles per day.

And don’t worry about the price of fuel!! If you want to attend but you don’t want to haul your horse cross-country, there are rental horses available from Hickory Creek Wilderness Ranch, the site of the base camp. They have primitive camp sites for no additional charge. Or you can rent a cabin or a camp site with hook-ups for an additional fee. Contact them directly at 814-484-7520 to reserve your rental horse and/or cabin.

Click on the link below for more information and for a reservation form. We are still accepting reservations with no late fee so be sure and send yours in today!

http://www.appaloosa.com/trail/aphc-trail-rides.htm

If you have any questions, please contact the ApHC office at 208.882.5578 ext. 264 or by email at trailrides@appaloosa.com.