The Board of Directors has established a site selection committee to review bids from cities/facilities interested in hosting the National Show in 2011 and beyond. Currently, ApHC is under contract with the State Fairgrounds of Mississippi to host the National Show at that facility through 2010. The site selection committee is reviewing bids from four potential sites and expects to make a recommendation to the Board of Directors by the end of 2009 regarding which bid to accept.
We really are trying to answer various questions posted with your comments.
Tristanna Bickford was the recipient of the 2009 Non-Pro Sportsmanship Award at the National Show in Jackson.
Our working agreement with Montana Silversmiths means significant savings to the ApHC on award buckles for the National and World shows. Regional clubs can also get in on the discounts. There are concerns/questions about the cost of championship and top-ten buckles being offered to ApHC exhibitors. All we can tell you is that the products are high quality and the prices reflect the market.
The 2009 Chief Joseph Trail Ride is underway in Montana. I’ll be there Wednesday for awards night and hope to hang around through Friday’s special commemorative ceremony at Big Hole battlefield historic site.
I’ll also have some photos and notes from the POA International Show going on in St. Louis this week.
Fully engraved, customized buckles for the 62nd National Appaloosa Show and the 2009 Youth World Show are available from our partners at Montana Silversmiths. These are specifically for anyone who earned a championship, reserve championship or Top Ten placing at either show.
For more information and to receive an order form, contact awards@appaloosa.com. I’m assuming we’ll have a downloadable form on the website very soon. If I can remember how to include one here, I’ll certainly do that as well.
Champion and Reserve buckles are $250; Top Ten buckle is $240. Price includes UPS ground delivery anywhere in the continental U.S. International shipping is extra.
In case you haven’t taken a peek at the photos of activities in Jackson, you are invited to click on the “photo album” link on the left side of the blogspot page. We’ll keep trying to capture some of the people and scenes so that you’ll get a sense of what’s going on in Mississippi.
By the way, this happens to be one of the award saddles for the youth show. There came from our friends at KO Trading in Fort Worth. The saddles and the custom-made racks are terrific.
The ApHC and AYA hosted a horse judging contest for youth on Friday during the National Show in Jackson, Mississippi. At least 11 teams participated. Official results will be posted later, but we know a few basics. High-point overall team placings might not mean much to those who don’t know what the names represent, but here they are: 1st – Illinois Blue; 2nd – Stone Creek Stable; 3rd – Owyee; 4th – Ponchatoula FFA Blue; 5th – Southern Sensation; 6th – Boyd County A; 7th – New Era Ag Center; 8th – Ponchatoula FFA Gold; 9th – Lots of Spots; 10th – Illinois Orange tied with Boyd County B.
High-Point Youth 14-18 in performance judging and overall was Casey Parr; High-Point Halter and also High-Point in reasons was Cori Elliot.
One of several highlights during the Annual Awards Banquet was the announcement that Carol Jones was voted ApHC Trainer of the Year for 2008. Carol operates American Acres Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, and specializes in youth and non-pro instruction. In case you don’t know Carol, we can proclaim that she’s a friendly competitor,a steady coach and an all-around nice person.
Carol says the very best part about receiving the award is that it is determined by a vote of her peers. It’s a well-deserved honor and we are proud of Carol. Congratulations!
Meet Alexis Proulx, daughter of ApHC exhibitor, Melissa. They traveled from Connecticut to be part of the 62nd National Appaloosa Show.
Just before this “portrait” was taken, Alexis was sprawled on her back and had one of those totally sweet, innocent sleeping baby looks. As I made ready with the camera, she flipped over to try a new position, so this is what you get. The rest of us were jealous of her restful state. After spending any time outside in the heat, the cool Fordice Equine Center feels like a very good place to relax and even try a nap.
At the ApHC information booth at the National Show, things aren’t really ready until Mary Lou Minic arrives and takes control. She has been a friend of the breed – well, forever – and she is a mainstay at both the National and World shows. Besides greeting old friends and newcomers with the same warm smile, she helps with all sorts of service duties throughout the events.
In the photo, she’s apparently telling a great story and entertaining visitors, including Dawna Harwell, at right.
The Most Colorful at Halter class is sponsored by friends of the late George Minic, Appaloosa showman deluxe. It’s a very special time for Mary Lou, who presents the awards. Thanks ML for being part of the family!
This photo is from early yesterday as exhibitors in the Non-Pro Masters Showmanship class go through their last-minute practice routines. Precise patterns require a firm understanding between horse and handler. Hopefully, they are both in a comfortable and confident state of mind at the right time.
It’s certainly okay to be nervous and anxious, but coaches keep telling you not to let it show. How hard can that be?
Here at the National Show in Jackson, smiles on the faces of class winners — national champions! — are even brighter than the summer sun. When you think about the amount of time, money and effort required just to be here, you can’t help being a bit in awe of horse folks and their passion. This photo illustrates a big part of the motivation. There is immense satisfaction in achieving goals and fulfilling dreams.
Julia Binkley, of Newborn, Georgia, has the happy look of a winner. She’s just come out of the Fordice Equine Center with her NATIONAL CHAMPION Appaloosa, Get The Word Out. The duo won the Non-Pro Yearling Gelding halter class at the 62nd National Show. I think her husband is also in the photo, but I’m not the quickest on-the-spot reporter.
Today’s (Wednesday) classes include Non-Pro 35 & Over Showmanship, Non-Pro halter colts and stallions, Junior Western Pleasure, some reining and Two-Year-Old Snaffle Bit Hunter Under Saddle — among others.
For those hoping to watch the show on the Web, we’re being told technical issues can be resolved fairly soon. Please be patient. Transmission right now is VERY low, so things will improve a great deal once the capacity issue is addressed. (Update – looks like “resolution” won’t happen today. We are very sorry and really are trying everything that we can do at our end).
The trailers are parked and the horses are stalled at the fairgrounds in Jackson, Mississippi, host for the 62nd National Appaloosa Show and World Championship Appaloos Youth Show. Across the south and southeast the temp is high, with the heat index even higher, but most folks are adjusting. The show officially gets started tomorrow (Monday) with a full day and a nice mix of classes. This evening is the annual awards banquet.
Stay tuned for more updates and “features” from Jackson. I hear there are a couple of technical issues to work out, but all should be set for live streaming video from the show. Be sure to check the appaloosa.com site and see what’s happening.
Don’t miss your chance to promote your business, farm or stallion at the 62nd National Appaloosa Show & 2009 World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show where you can reach thousands of equine-minded people with these valuable opportunities:
Banner advertising on the Live Streaming Video page on the ApHC web site is the most effective way to reach more than 33,000 people who will be viewing your banner ad while viewing the 62nd National Appaloosa Show & 2009 World Championship Appaloosa Show. Today, June 12, is the LAST DAY to advantage of the 50% discount—so call today!
The National Network is the show’s daily publication delivered directly to exhibitors that includes class results, schedules and so much more. Exhibitors anticipate receiving the National Network every day so be sure they see your ad when they are looking for the top ten results of their favorite class! These prices are for the entire 13-day event—you won’t find a better deal!
Full-page ad: $600
Half-page ad: $375
Quarter-page ad: $200
Text-only ad: $100 (max 4 lines)
Class and buckle sponsorships are a wonderful promotion tool as well as a great way to support the 62nd National Appaloosa Show & 2009 World Championship Appaloosa Show! Class and buckle sponsors receive recognition in announcements, the daily National Network, the ApHC web site and the Appaloosa Journal.
Sponsor one class for $125 and each additional class is only $75!
Sponsor a High-Point or Reserve High-Point buckle for $299 and each additional buckle is only $199.
Contact the Appaloosa Marketing Department for information regarding these opportunities at (208) 882-5578 ext. 235 or via e-mail at marketing@appaloosa.com.
A new relationship has been formed, thanks to some creative design work on the label used by 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards, Eagle, Idaho. Each bottle of the 3 Horse Ranch estate grown, certified organic wine from the Snake River Valley American Viticultural Area features an attrative depiction of (very) early spotted horses. Owner Gary Cunningham decided the connection with Idaho’s State Horse was a natural marketing tool.
In the photo, Gary is presenting a limited-edition print of the label artwork to Jennifer Hamilton, Director of the Appaloosa Museum & Heritage Center.
Exhibitors at the National Show in Jackson, Mississippi, will have the opportunity to purchase 3 Horse Ranch wines at silent auction, both during the annual awards banquet and throughout the week. The pretty label is good enough for me, but you need to know that the wine is outstanding. Gary reports that nine different wines were entered in a recent competition in Portland and all received medals. The 3 Horse Ranch signature wine, Viognier, was a double-gold winner (something like our high-point performance award).
More information about the wine and the vineyards can be found at www.ThreeHorseRanchVineyards.com.
This is a friendly reminder that Monday, June 1, is the last day to purchase slots in the futurity and sweepstakes classes at the 62nd National Appaloosa Show & World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show. Monday, June 1, is also the last day futurity and sweepstakes judge nominations will be accepted.
The 2009 slot purses promise to be large, more than $85,500 was paid out in 2008, so get in on the action and purchase a slot in one of the following four classes:
• 3-year-old Western Pleasure Futurity
• 3-year-old Hunter Under Saddle Futurity
• Non-Pro/Youth 5 & Under Western Pleasure Sweepstakes
• Non-Pro Youth 5 & Under Hunter Under Saddle Sweepstakes
Futurity and sweepstakes slots may be purchased for $1,250 and $750, respectively. Based on the number of futurity slots sold, participants can look forward to competing for up to $28,125 in purse money. Twenty slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and five additional temporary slots may be sold depending upon demand. Sweepstakes slot owners have the potential to win a chunk of the $20,625 at stake when all slots are sold.
For more information, or to purchase a slot, please contact Alexcia Livingstone at (208) 882-5578 ext. 244 or via e-mail at show-judges@appaloosa.com.
• Class entries must be received by May 11, 2009 to receive pre-entry prices and inclusion in the official show program. Entries received after the deadline will be subject to a fee 1 ½ times the pre-entry price. Forms may be found in the premium book or the National Show web page. National Show entrants meeting the Pre-Entry deadline will be entered into a drawing for the Spring John Deere Giveaway of a line-trimmer! Sponsored by the Appaloosa Members Advantage program.
• Stall reservations must be received in the ApHC office by May 18 to secure a previously held location. Any stalls reserved after June 1 will be subject to a fee 1 ½ times the on-time stall fee. Forms may be found in the premium book or the National Show web page.
• Deadline to purchase slots for futurity and sweepstakes classes has been extended to June 1, 2009. The slots purses promise to be large—more than $85,500 was paid out in 2008, so get in on the action and purchase a slot in one of the following four classes: 3-year-old Western Pleasure Futurity, 3-year-old Hunter Under Saddle Futurity, Non-pro/Youth 5 & Under Western Pleasure Sweepstakes and Non-pro Youth 5 & Under Hunter Under Saddle Sweepstakes. To purchase, call (208) 882-5578 ext. 244.
• Show Class Specials. Any non-pro or a youth exhibitor may enter 9 classes at regular price and enter a 10th class for Free! This option is for pre-entries only. See page 18 in the premium book for more details or call (208) 882-5578 ext. 400.
• The Appaloosa Youth Association (AYA), the official youth program of the Appaloosa Horse Club, will once again host the Youth/Collegiate Horse Judging Contest at the 2009 World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show. The Horse Judging Contest will begin at 9 a.m. Friday, June 26, at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson. For all of the details, call (208) 882-5578 ext. 264.
• Join the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) for one night of charity at the 62nd National Championship Appaloosa Show to benefit the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children! Watch exhibitors and their Appaloosas compete for National Championship titles Friday, June 26, and bring a donation of any amount and/or new, unwrapped toys to benefit the hospital. For information regarding the types of toys, visit http://childrenshospital.umc.edu/.
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