We received this note from Muffie Harvey, Forestdale, Vermont:
Just wanted to share with you folks that I rode my 6 year old appaloosa mare the length of Vermont to raise money for breast cancer research and raise awareness. We left Bennington Vt on June 22 2010 and arrived in Burlington Vt on July 2 and my little spotted horse was amazing!!! It took us 71/2 days, we traveled 150 miles and so far have raised about 15k. “Molly” and I will continue to do this ride for the cure every year and she is an amazing example of the traits we look for in our spotted horses. For more press you can google me-Muffie Harvey!!
The Schembri family has asked us to pass along this announcement:
There will be a Celebration of Life in honor and memory of Doug at Char-O-Lot Ranch this Sunday the 22nd at 11:00 a.m.
We received news that Doug Schembri died earlier today in an accident at the farm in Florida. We’ll have updated information later. Everyone in the Appaloosa and equine community knows that we’ve lost a stalwart of the industry. Out heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to Sue, Sean and Jenifer.
Carol Creech Lawrence, a friend to many in the Appaloosa world and a true ambassador for the breed, died Sunday after losing her battle with cancer.
Carol owned and operated Lawrence Saddle & Tack for 33 years. Previously she worked at Meeker Leather Co.; Ferguson Laboratories and as a veterinary assistant. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
For 28 years, Carol was an ApHC-carded judge. She was a charter member of the MO-ARK regional club. An avid horsewoman, she raised and showed multiple local, state and national champion Appaloosas.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, August 12 at the Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri. Visitation is this evening from 6 to 7 at the funeral home.
Link to complete obituary: http://www.simpsonfh.com/index.cfm
Our deepest sympathies to Rick and Diane Rushing for the loss of their son Derrick, who died in a motorcycle accident last week. Services were held Monday in Illinois. Derrick was an ApHC member and a farrier. A memorial fund has been established (details at the web address below):
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/herald-review/obituary.aspx?n=derrick-rushing-cowboy&pid=143201554
While waiting for a flight out of Oklahoma City on Memorial Day, I fell in with some team ropers from Utah. We were having a good visit when one of the cowboys returned from a stroll and asked his buddy if he’d heard the announcement about a soldier who’d just arrived for a quick visit home and needed a ride.
The two of them were gone in a flash and returned 15 minutes later. When asked what they’d been up to, the quiet response was enough to make me really glad I’d shared some time with them. A self-described “hobby roper” from Utah had greeted the soldier, thanked him for his service, handed him enough cash for an apparently long-distance cab ride and some food, wished him well and walked away.
No questions, no strings. Just pure gratitude and a stirring example of the cowboy way.
I made it “down” to Nampa for the Idaho Horse Expo this past weekend. Crowds were almost as good as the weather and there was definitely something for every interest level. It’s always entertaining to watch the activity surrounding the private treaty sale, training clinics, ranch horse events and the trade show.
A real crowd pleaser was the Supreme Cowboy Race, which is basically timed, extreme trail. One of our own, Talea Morgan-Metivier, from Chewelah, Washington, competed with the best of them on two great looking Appaloosas. The picture is of Talea and her four-year-old mare Smart Little Cayenne, by Smart Little Sign (also a star of the event), who is by High Sign Nugget. Thanks Talea for showing of with colorful Appaloosas!
Thanks also to George and Lise Jumper, long-time ApHC folks from Emmett, Idaho, who came by to help at the Appaloosa table.
More photos are in the album (see left hand menu).
Attn Appaloosa Folks:
Ken Goodison, long time member of the ApHC, and Arizona Appaloosa Assn, passed away yesterday (Friday) after a valiant battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family is in need of donations to help cover the huge medical expenses they have incurred. Please contact me for more info, I’ll be happy to provide you with Donna’s address.
Husband to Donna Goodison, Ken was a familiar face at our shows. He was our Gate Man Extraodinaire and will be sorely missed by all of us. Please keep Donna in your thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.
The AAA will be meeting to discuss holding a fundraiser/raffle with proceeds being donated to the family. We will update everyone once those arrangements are in place.
Roseann Sweet
Arizona Appaloosa Assn.
Received this note from Monty Holmes, ApHC Director, 5A:
I thought that you’ll might enjoy reading about Lynn Bliss and her Appaloosa “Webster”. She gave me permission to share this story. It is an example of “thinking outside the box” and is an idea that may be of benefit to some of you along the way.
FYI: Lynn is a longtime member of the ApHC and the Arkansas ApHC. She and her family have been in the Appaloosa business for many years. I got to know her several years ago when we attended college together at Arkansas State University and she rode her Appaloosa “Rebel Cry” in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association events. She has served as an officer in the AApHC and has represented Territory 5, Zone A on the ApHC Non Pro Advisory Committee. My wife, Suzi, and I are proud to call Lynn and her husband, David, our friends and friends of the ApHC.
This is Lynn’s email…
Subject: Fundraiser & Webbie!
Dave and I donated a ‘Two Hour Adventure with Webster the Wonder Horse” to a local fund raiser auction that was held last night. Basically — two hours of hand-on interaction at the barn with Webster…. grooming him, interacting with him, learning some basic horsemanship, working with him on some showmanship stuff, getting to ride him a little bit, cleaning stalls, etc…. learning parts of horse, about horses, history of Appaloosas, and you get to take home a horse-shoe worn by Webster in competition and a blue ribbon won by Webster in competition — you had to be at least 10 years of age. Well…. a 40-something woman bought it for $400!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Afterwards the local Boys & Girls Club asked us if we would donate the same thing to their upcoming fundraiser……
Lynn Austin Bliss
Note from Dorine Bennett
This week on the Women’s Pro Rodeo Today show on RFD-TV (episode 52) the featured profile was about Sherri Mell! What a wonderful person to include in their show! Good to see!! As you may know, Sherri has been a part of the Appaloosa world for many years and has been inducted into the Women’s Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
Palmer J. Wagner, 90, passed away February 3, 2010 in Spokane, WA.
He purchased farmland near Garfield, WA in 1939 and married Lucille Schoepflin October 16, 1940. His major crop was wheat, but he also loved horses, especially the Appaloosa breed which he raised and researched for most of his adult life. This endeavor resulted in his book, The American Appaloosa Anthology, which was published in 1999.
He served during three U.S. Presidential administrations as a commodity lobbyist in Washington D.C. He was invited to andattended the Inaugural Ball of President John F. Kennedy. Palmer’s services as a vocal soloist were often requested for funerals or special occasions in the greater Inland Empire.
Viewing will be at HAZEN & JAEGER FUNERAL HOME, 1306 N. Monroe St. in Spokane on Thursday, February 11 from noon to 8 PM. The funeral services will be held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Farmington, WA onFriday, February 12, 2010 at 11:00 AM followed by interment at Silvercreek Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210, or to a Haiti Relief fund of one’s choice. Please visit our on-line memorial at www.mem.com .
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/spokesman/obituary.aspx?n=palmer-wagner&pid=139438106
Peggy Jane Bannon departed her worn out body for the tranquility of eternal rest on January 4, 2010.
She was a professional equine (horse) show judge for the American Paint Horse Association, Pinto Horse Association, Appaloosa Horse Club, Palomino Horse Breeders Association, International Buckskin Horse Association, North American Saddle Mule Association, Ponies of the Americas and National Snaffle Bit Association. She also officiated for Michigan, Ohio and Indiana 4-H Clubs.
Her judging career spanned thirty-five years and she traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe (Germany).
Peg wishes to be remembered by the family, friends and associates as the professional, vibrant, energetic and outgoing woman that she personified. Arrangements made by Wm. R. Hamilton Co., Mt. Clemens.
Thanks to Debby Letham for sending us this information.
The Appaloosa community has lost a stalwart. Don Johnson of Walla Walla, Washington, died January 1st at age 82. We’ve borrowed from the text of a memorial written by George and Iola Hatley:
Horses had been a part of Don’s life since childhood. He raised Quarter Horses and Appaloosas, many of them going on to become great race horses and good trail horses. He help organize and was a rider on the Chief Joseph Appaloosa Ride for the past 43 years, never missing a year. In the beginning, he was the manager of the ride. He hired the trail boss Dick Hammond, he ran the cooking crew and rode his horse the 100 miles in five days.
He was an ApHC director for six years, becoming President in 1993. He managed the 1967 National Appaloosa Show at Walla Walla. He served on the Board of Directors for the Appaloosa Museum.
Don is survived by his wife Sharon; three daughters and sons-in-law: Kathy and Gary Martin, Mary Jo and Gary Duncan, Donna and Cliff Cook; a son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Cynthia Johnson; two step-daughters: Debbie Miller and Dixie Aichele; step-son Don Roff; a sister, Harriett E. Johnson; three brothers: Ted Johnson, Mark Johnson and Eric Johnson; 12 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.
We certainly need to brag about Wade Clayton, Needville, Texas. He and roping partner Jake Kropik won the $86,000 top prize at the U.S. Team Roping Championships “open average” event in Oklahoma City back in October. Wade was riding an 11-year-old Appaloosa gelding named Below Freezing (nicknamed “Bear”), sired by Dashin Johnny Bar. The horse and rider have been together for several years.
Bear is just one more really outstanding argument against some of the myths about Appaloosa horses and their performance abilities. “USTRC” certainly ranks as top-level competition, for both horses and people. Having an Appaloosa at the top of the heap is, as some folks like to say, “way cool.” Congratulations!
Just a reminder that the Calizona regional club will be a featured equestrian group in this week’s Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. In case you forgot, the parade is on New Year’s Day (Friday)! Be sure to tune in and watch for the Appaloosas and their riders dressed in native garb.
The Calizona group will be 33rd in the line up of 92 entries in the whole parade. There are 23 equestrian entries all together. They will be between the City of Torrence and City of Burbank floats.
If you’re wondering about the photo, Christy Wood sent it along with a note about her preparations for the noise and atmosphere of the parade. She writes:
OK Everybody, you’ve been wondering what I have been doing??? Getting my horse ready for the Rose Parade. Go to YOUTUBE and type in Christy Dude and Joe the Drummer. You can watch my parade warm up. I will be riding with the Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club. There will be 10 riders, all dressed in 1870′s Nez Perce Native American attire. I will be in the first row of 4 women, on the far left, on the tallest white horse with the longest white tail. I will be in a black wig.
If you want to see a picture of my Native American attire, go to my web site at www.wdnhorse.com or email me and I will send you a picture.
I’ll be waving at all of you on Jan 1st!
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