The Appaloosa community is in the mood to brag at least a little after documenting a 25 percent increase in entries at this year’s National Show and Youth World Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, July 4-16. Along with a 30 percent increase in the number of horses, the statistics indicate strong support for the move back to a central location. There may also be a glimmer of cautious optimism about economic conditions and a general sense of positive things happening in the equine world. Whatever the logic, exhibitors from across the continent were anxious to compete, renew friendships and enjoy one of the best youth events in years.
The 64th National Appaloosa Show and Youth World Championships included a few bonus opportunities such as the revival of a youth “champion of champions” competition, five sweepstakes classes with extra cash and prizes on the line and the inaugural Appaloosa National feature race at the adjacent Fair Meadows track. With an expanded trade show, a splashing good time at the water park for youth exhibitors and even an egg toss contest, the entertainment meter rose considerably.
We were delighted with all aspects of the show and we heard lots of positive comments from our exhibitors. There’s always something special about everyone working together to provide a proper stage for our great breed.
It’s here! It’s “Get Your Pink On” night! Tonight the Appaloosa Horse Club is hosting its inaugural Get Your Pink On, a Susan G. Komen Passionately Pink event. Exhibitors, show officials and staff will all be wearing pink carnations in support of breast cancer awareness. We will be taking donations at the door and in exchange for a donation, the donor will receive a ticket for some great door prizes including gift certificates, jewelry, equipment and a Dale Chavez silver bridle. And if you show up wearing pink we will give you 2 tickets! But you have to be present to win! We look forward to a sea of pink tonight!
It’s been a busy week and a half at the Youth World and National Show. We’re up to 900 horses along with lots of people having a good time. Entries are up from last year by at least 25%. Had a nice rain shower this morning, so we can assume that the steam bath will be turned on this afternoon. As you might expect, there have been a few cases of heat stress in horses — and people, but in general everyone seems to be coping quite well. The Expo Square facilities are receiving positive reviews and we’ve especially appreciated the proximity of “vital” retailers within a biscuit’s throw from the grounds. Be sure to check the Daily Network at appaloosajournal.com for more details about classes, participants and placings. We’ve had a great response to the Kathy’s Show Equipment Sweepstakes classes. There are a lot of other folks who helped out with sponsorship support and we thank them all.
The Appaloosa Horse Club wants to be the club that cares! We are hosting Get Your Pink On, a Susan G. Komen Passionately Pink event, at the National Show on the evening of July 14. We will be taking donations at the door and in exchange for a donation the donor will receive a raffle ticket for some great prizes. And if you show up wearing pink we will give you 2 raffle tickets!
If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation in our Team Name, please click on the Team URL http :// www.info-komen.org/goto/Appaloosas Our team id is 10354923. Please include this important number on all your donation forms.
Exhibitors from across the continent began arriving this morning at Expo Square in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Today and Saturday are big move-in days for anyone involved with the Appaloosa Youth World Championship Show. Several Appaloosa Youth Association activities are scheduled for Sunday the 3rd, with the evening highlight being the annual awards banquet. Classes start on Monday the 4th.
Numbers are looking good. We may have mentioned somewhere that pre-entries for the youth, non-pro and open shows combined were 17% above last year. We’re also glad to report that three of our barns are sporting brand new stalls. The facility is ready to go and so are we. Stay tuned for updates.
National Show confirmation letters are in the mail. The packet includes biosecurity measures for the show, forms that you’ll need to fill out to help us document accommodations/hotel nights, an instructional letter and W-9′s and/or membership applications.
For those of you on our email list, you’ll be getting more details. We can announce that we’ve been able to add an extra move-in day (Friday 7/1). You’ll have access to stalls, but not the indoor arenas.
Another reminder: you can check your entries online and find all the other information you should need. And, in case you hadn’t heard, we will be accepting post entries at $25 per class (as opposed to the 1 1/2 fee) and late stall fee of an additional $25.
This is one show you don’t want to miss! New youth activities! Big money sweepstakes classes! Fierce but friendly competition! Beautiful Appaloosa horses!
And since we know you like to plan ahead, we want to remind you to make your room reservations by May 31 in order to get the best available rates. Visit www.appaloosa.com and click on the National Show link. You can find the Tulsa CVB housing bureau link and book your rooms on-line or by fax. Don’t forget that you must provide proof of lodging accommodations in order to pick up your exhibitor packet when you arrive at the show!
The Tulsa Convention & Visitors Bureau has offered a financial incentive package to assist the ApHC with costs associated with producing the show in Tulsa. In order to sustain their level of financial support, we must certify the number of hotel rooms used in the city during the show. The housing bureau that is staffed by the Tulsa CVB can not only help show attendees select hotels and book rooms during the show but will track hotel room usage in order to sustain the financial support they offer. That’s why it’s important to let them do the work for you!
And most importantly, incentive money offered by the host city helps the ApHC pay show-related costs, and helps avoid passing some of those costs on to exhibitors.
We have a wide variety of properties that offer rates starting at $49.99 per night and an impressive array of ammenities and award programs too! But to receive these great rates, you have to book through the housing bureau on the ApHC web site.
Click the link on the National Show page to review available hotel options in Tulsa. There’s sure to be one that will meet your needs! For best rates, book by May 31!
For more information about the 2011 National/World Youth Show please contact the ApHC at (208) 882-5578 or visit us online at www.appaloosa.com
We realize that exhibitors coming to Tulsa are curious and concerned about what the ApHC has in mind regarding EHV “biosecurity” guidelines for the show. Part of our planning process has included frequent conversations with the State Veterinarian in Oklahoma, the Expo Square facility and many others. Our intent is to publicize some recommendations at a point when we feel that the landscape might not change drastically and folks can have the latest and best advice. Of course, we also want to provide exhibitors with enough time to make appropriate preparations with their local vet and to help with their travel plans. Stay tuned.
Neither rain nor sleet nor dark of night will keep premium books for the 64th National Championship Appaloosa Show / World Championship Youth Show from arriving on your doorstep! But because of mail delivery delays, we’ve extended the pre-entry deadline until Friday, May 20, 2011. All pre-entries in the ApHC office by May 20, 2011 will qualify for pre-entry fee prices and will be included in the Official Show Program. Entries will be accepted after May 20th at the post entry fee (1½ times the pre-entry fee).
The premium book, all entry forms and current information on the show can all be accessed from the ApHC Web site. It’s your best source for up-to-date information on the show! If you haven’t received your premium book yet, please go to www.appaloosa.com and click on the National Show logo on the front page to access all show information and download the forms you need.
Don’t forget, non-pro and youth exhibitors may enter 9 classes at regular price and may enter a 10th class for FREE! This option is available for pre-entries only! Non-pro and youth exhibitors may take advantage of this special regardless of the number of different horses they exhibit as it is based solely on the number of classes in which that non-pro or youth exhibitor enters. Entries for multiple horses MUST BE RECEIVED TOGETHER in order to credit the exhibitor for the free class. Once entries have been received, classes can not be substituted, scratched, added or changed in order to qualify for a class. After the pre-entry deadline, regular post-entry processes and fees apply to any changes or added classes. Equipment, cattle and NSBA charges must still be paid on all classes even if these are assessed in the class in which the non-pro or youth exhibitor does not have to pay the entry fee.
Stall reservations and payment must be received in the ApHC office on or before May 24th to request a preferred location.
You don’t want to miss this show! We have a great line-up of classes, sweepstakes events, youth activities and special performances that will make this an event to remember!
What are you waiting for? Download entry forms and stall reservation forms online at www.appaloosa.com by clicking on the National Show icon at the bottom of the page. Or, contact the ApHC Performance Department at (208) 882-5578 ext. 400 for more information.
See you in Tulsa!
There are several items on the National Show page of the website that have recently been activated. Among the downloadable forms is a facility map with extensive information about each stall barn such as stall dimensions, type of surface, water and electric locations, etc. Very cool.
Other forms include the advance bedding order and stall reservation form. And, of course, entry forms for ApHC open and youth classes, cutting and reining association classes, sweepstakes and NSBA. And, oh yes, the entire Premimum Book is also available for online viewing.
ApHC directors and several members who made it to Tulsa last week for the board meeting also got a guided tour of Expo Square, site of the 2011 National Show. In this photo, the group is visiting Ford Truck Arena. The facility staff and the community of Tulsa are excited to be hosting our shows. We also learned that we’ll have a total of three barns with new stalls available this year! In addition to the information that’s already posted on the National Show pages of this Web site, we’ll be providing updates and details regarding such things as the sweepstakes classes, local business connections, traffic flow on the grounds, etc.
Just to let you know that the complete schedule for the 64th National Appaloosa Show, July 4-16, is available on the appaloosa.com Web site. Activities in Tulsa begin with the World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show. Don’t forget to make plans for the Year-End Youth Awards Banquet on Sunday July 3rd and the separate banquet for Open, Non-Pro, Race, Trail/Distance and Hall of Fame on Sunday July 10th.
Some other items for your to-do list: Encourage participation in the Youth Horse Judging Contest, plan your advertising (Journal, Yearbook, etc.), and set aside some cash for a buckle or class sponsorship. Information about Tulsa hotels can also be found by clicking on the National Show icon on the home page. The Tulsa Convention Housing Bureau can help with reservations. By the way, it’s important to use this resource as it helps us verify the total number of room nights for our show folks and ensures that we’ll get the full amount of our incentive money from the CVB. So, thanks in advance for helping us keep track.
Hope to see you in Tulsa!
The National Championship & Youth World Championship Shows will be held in Tulsa, OK in 2011 & 2012. The Tulsa Convention & Visitors Bureau has offered a financial incentive package to assist ApHC with costs associated with producing the show in this venue. In order to sustain their level of financial support, we must certify the number of hotel rooms used in the City during the show. To do this, we have established a Housing Bureau that will be staffed by the Tulsa CVB to help show attendees select hotels and book rooms during the show. This way we can track hotel room usage in order to sustain the financial support offered by the Tulsa CVB.
Tulsa CVB employees will be on hand during the World Show to assist you with room reservations for the 2011 National Show. In addition, you can find information on the ApHC Web site that will direct you to the Housing Bureau site where you can book your rooms on-line from a variety of properties, offering a wide range of amenities and price points.
Incentive money offered by the host city not only helps ApHC pay show-related costs, but helps us to avoid passing some of those costs on to exhibitors. Please assist us in maintaining that financial support by booking rooms through the Housing Bureau.
Please help us identify the hotel properties you are most interested in so that we can negotiate the best possible rates for your stay. Staying at contracted hotels also ensures Tulsa’s continued financial support of the show. This link will take you to our short National Show Hotel Survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L9PV7K7 .
We appreciate your support!
The daily Network newsletter from the National Show and Youth World can be found at appaloosajournal.com as well as a link to a variety of photos. Also this year, there is a collection of candid camera shots courtesy of Larry Williams Photography on his website (larrywilliamsphotog.com).
My blogging is obviously in lag mode, but it’s been a good week in Jackson. As with most horse shows, we’ve experienced a variety of twists and turns. Most of the city was affected by a major water main break and was without water for part of Thursday.The response from the city was quick and helpful, with a tanker truck full of water and some of those cute little blue portable “restrooms.” At the other end of the spectrum, we’ve had too much water in the form of a thunderstorm. What the experts would call “minor” flooding occurred in a couple of barns. Exhibitors worked together to manage the crisis.
The Awards Banquet Sunday evening was very nice. Ward Fenton brought most of his family from Montana for his official induction into the Hall of Fame (a ceremony to honor Victoria Ennis will be scheduled for next year in Tulsa). The combined open/youth/non-pro event seemed to be a plus.
After a week’s worth of on-site work by ApHC staff and crew things are set to go in Jackson, Mississippi for the 2010 National Appaloosa Show. And, after many miles of travel and untold hours of preparation, exhibitors from across the country are busy settling in as well. The show office opened today and quickly became a hub of activity as entries were finalized, numbers assigned and paperwork completed. Classes start Monday morning.
We’ll have a collection of photos on this site, Larry Williams Photography will also be providing candid photos on their website and there will be additional photos and links from the daily Network — an online publication this year. Class results will be in the Network along with feature stories, schedules and sponsor information. You can also keep up with the action via webcam.
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