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!
I need to credit Kendra Carlson, one of our Registration Department staffers, for this short story. It fits well with a blurb for the January Journal regarding the importance of timely and accurate transfers. We suspect a number of Appaloosas have been lost from the system because some previous changes of ownership were not recorded.
Marilyn and I just thought we’d pass along some information to you about the two “lost and found” horses we’ve dealt with in 2009 that really highlight the need that horses, new owners, ApHC members, and the ApHC have for transfers to be completed.
Marilyn may have told you about Theresa Spinuzzi and her daughter Ashley, who bought (rescued, I believe) a mare named Mtn Mist Elegance, and then had to do some pretty intense digging to be able to get her transferred into Ashley’s name. I had a similar customer, named Laila Campbell, who had to run a similar gamut with a gelding she bought named Showmemos Lookatme. Both owners went through a lot of work (and I can only imagine, frustration) in order to be able to get the original Certificates of Registration for their horses (Laila had the added pain of needing a duplicate Certificate), and were ultimately able to transfer the horses into their names. Both families have related that their hard work really paid off, and even though it took them each months to get everything straight, their Appys were worth the effort.
The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) would like to congratulate Leslie Foxvog of Phelan, Calif., the 2009 recipient of the George Hatley Award.
Leslie has been an ApHC member for over 10 years, and actively promotes the Appaloosa breed. She is a member of several Regional Clubs in her area, and is currently the Calizona ApHC’s president. Leslie has been instrumental in Calizona ApHC’s two consecutive wins for the ApHC’s Regional Exemplary Award, which offers Regional Clubs the opportunity to win prizes and recognition by displaying the club’s efforts to promote the Appaloosa breed.
Leslie is also an active member of the Cal-Western ApHC, soon to be known as the Western States Appaloosa Association. In 2009, the Cal-Western elected her as the 2008 Appaloosatarian of the Year for her tireless effort promoting the breed, the club and its events.
While her contributions to the Appaloosa have been notable in the past decade, Leslie went above and beyond the call of duty in 2009. Leslie championed for the Calizona ApHC parade group to be a part of the 121st Tournament of Roses Parade with the theme “A Cut Above the Rest,” which will be featured live on national television Jan. 1, 2010. The group will ride Appaloosas with varying color coat patterns and will be costumed in authentic Nez Perce Indian costumes for both men and women, along with related accoutrements—an excellent opportunity to display the breed’s history and heritage.
The George Hatley Award, named in honor of one of the ApHC’s founders, is decided annually by the Board of Directors in an effort to recognize an individual in the Appaloosa industry who contributed significantly to the growth and promotion of the Appaloosa breed within the past year.
Congratulations, Leslie!
Voting is complete for 2009 Hall of Fame horses and people. The Appaloosa Horse Club is pleased to announce the following winners:
Horses:
MAID’S DREAM, Dal Porto Ranch, Brentwood, California
People:
WARD FENTON, Worden, Montana
VICTORIA ENNIS (deceased), Kingston, Oklahoma
KAREN GRIMM, Minden, Nevada
Calizona Members won 2009 California State Horseman’s Association Awards for Region 11 by showing their Appaloosas on an All Breed Circuit through the Moreno Valley TrailSeekers. Congratulations to Joe Brooks, CJ Brooks, Diane Dodd, and Stephanie Vrabel! Throughout 2009, they exhibited their Appys at shows held by the TrailSeekers ending up with several year end high point awards. This is promotion outside the Appaloosa Breed circuit and demonstrates that the Appaloosa and our members retain the “Top Spot”! Year end award winners received embroidered day sheets, halter bags, garment bags, silver platters and a collage of photos throughout the show year.
Joe Brooks showing Lads Blue Eyed Jewel garnered Division Champion in Halter-Open, Division Reserve Champion Junior Halter-Amateur and Class Champion Halter Non-Stock Type. CJ Brooks with Lads All Star is the Division Champion in English 35 and Over and Class Champion English Equitation 35 & Over. Diane Dodd as trainer showed Lads All Star to a Division Championship in Open English. Stephanie Vrabel exhibited her flashy appy, Wyakin Too, to Division Championships in Senior Halter-Amateur, Open Halter, Halter Geldings, Halter Color as well as Division Championships for Showmanship 18 & Over and Open Showmanship. All of the Calizona winners qualified to participate in the State Championship show held in Santa Rosa, CA.
The California State Horsemen’s Association comprises twenty geographical Regions within three areas (Northern, Central, and Southern) of California. CSHA represents the pleasure horse industry and pleasure horse owners. CSHA has many programs (show, parade, gymkhana, & trail, etc.) most of which are run through other clubs and organizations like the TrailSeekers.
Congratulations to our Calizona Appaloosa winners!!!
Leslie Foxvog
President Calizona ApHC
Charles W. ‘Bill’ KEETON 85, of Loveland, Colo., passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, with Pathways Hospice at North Shore Health and Rehab in Loveland. Bill died of kidney failure due to complications with diabetes.
He was born March 29, 1924, in Toledo, Ohio, to his parents, Charles Riley Keeton and Elizabeth Julia Hausmann Keeton. Bill grew up in Toledo with his two brothers and two sisters. He graduated from Clay High School, but the school administration had to send him his diploma because he left school to join the Navy.
He served on the USS San Diego during World War II. He was very proud of his service on a ship that earned 18 battle stars during the war. It was also the first ship into Tokyo Bay at the end of the war and preceded the USS Missouri in preparation for the signing of the surrender.
Bill worked as a bricklayer and earned his 40-year membership in the union. He was active in the Appaloosa Horse Club and raised and showed horses for many years.
He was married to his first wife, Lois Marie Wilder, for 27 years. He was married to his second wife, Vi Vi Keeton, for 35 years.
Bill and Vi Vi loved to travel and took 22 cruises with Princess Cruise Lines. Bill also enjoyed all the friendly people at the Chilson Recreation Center, where he would greet everyone in the main entrance. He also met many wonderful people through the Fresenius Dialysis Center here in Loveland, and during his nine-month stay at North Shore Health and Rehab.
Bill is survived by his wife, Vi Vi Keeton of Loveland; a brother, Warren Keeton of Denver; two sisters, Doris Boles and Ginger Thomas of Jacksonville, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Harold Keeton, and his parents.
Cremation has taken place by the Neptune Society, and a memorial celebration of his life will be held later.
Bill was known for his wonderful sense of humor and clever wit, and his comments would cause people to break out in laughter. He will be greatly missed.
As some of you may know, long-time Appaloosa member and World/National Show competitor Karen Grimm was hospitalized in Fort Worth during the recent World Championship Appaloosa Show. After undergoing exploratory surgery last week, Karen is being released and will fly home tomorrow to Nevada with her husband. Once home Karen will undergo additional testing to determine the cause of her illness and ongoing treatment plans. When speaking with her today, Karen expressed gratitude for the many phone calls and offers of support that she’s received from her extended Appaloosa family. We wish her a speedy recovery and hope that you will all keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
It’s
a few days late, but thought we should still share this creative pumpkin carving for Halloween. In case you can’t tell, it’s a girl kissing a horse. Nothing frightening about that at all. Thanks to Dana Tallman of Hamilton Square, New Jersey, for sharing her work.
Thanks to Gary Connolly for working the trade show and for this report.
The FFA Convention went great, they reported approximately 55,000 FFA members and their advisors were in attendance at the trade show. Niceene made up a basket with a Halloween bucket that included a Mark Shaffer DVD, a Youth Judging DVD, a “Know Before You Tow” (Safely Transporting Livestock) DVD designed by a committee I serve on for the Illinois Farm Bureau, an Appaloosa Water Bottle, an Appaloosa can koozie, and 2 Bags of Halloween chocolates, that we donated in the ApHC name to the FFA scholarship silent auction, the last bid I saw on it was $50.00.
Packets were given to new advisors, they were really impressed with the information included. I had enough of the Appaloosa Computer CD’s left on hand to add to each of these folders. Also Dan Moriarty’s wife & son came by the booth, we had a nice visit; they were really glad to see the Appaloosa so well represented at the event.
Volunteers pictured are Susie Rhoades (Indiana), Brandi Daugherty (Illinois) and Gary Connolly (Illinois).
Calizona members’ Appaloosas win big and shine at the Mojave River Valley Horsemans Association All Breed Futurity Show held September 20, 2009 in Apple Valley, California.
The Weanling Futurity was won by Dun Maid Me Grand (weanling gelding) owned by Dean’s Ranch and shown by Dennis Dean. Magic Dun Right (yearling filly) was the Reserve Champion for the Yearling Futurity and also shown by Dennis and owned by Dean’s Ranch. The Yearling Lunge Line Futurity was won by Play A Hand In Vegas (yearling gelding) shown by Caitlyn Raysser and owned by Amber Niess. Amber was very excited to have her horse win her very first futurity. The Reserve High Point Halter Horse title went to Exclusively Magic also owned and shown by Amber Niess. Other Appaloosas exhibited at the show include Prety Wild Ideas by Terri Hart and Man O Love by Toni Dean. It’s wonderful that the Appaloosa Breed is promoted to others outside the Appaloosa show circuit. Congratulations to the winners!!!
Leslie Foxvog
President Calizona ApHC
Post by Kevin Pullen, ApHC Trail/Distance Coordinator; Photo by Barry Grubb.
I just got back from Ohio and the 4th annual ApHC National Championship Endurance Ride (ANCER) and WOW, was it exciting! Cat Carter and her gelding TheSpurOfTheMoment swept the field for the second year in a row. It was a heated race as the frontrunners burst out of the woods into the meadow and headed for the finish line. A gentleman on his Arabian appeared first with Cat and Spur behind. Cat urged Spur forward and it became a runoff. In the remaining 100 yards, Spur caught and passed the Arab at the finish line, winning by a neck!
Cat and Spur’s unofficial time was 50 miles in 4 hours and 46 minutes — a full 1 hour and 45 minutes faster than last year’s time of 6:31. At an average of 10 ½ miles per hour, they were bookin’! Diana Macdonald on her 14-year-old mare ‘Loosi’ came in a close third. The unofficial results show 5 Appaloosas in the Top Ten out of a field of nearly 50 entries! How’s that for a showing of SPOTS in a major competitive event?!
Spur also received the coveted Best Condition Award, a category determined by the ride veterinarian as the horse “most fit to continue”.
Keep in mind that Cat and Spur won these two awards in two categories: the OVERALL Cracked OAATS Crunch ride (on which we piggybacked our ride) AS WELL AS our National Championship Endurance Ride.
Stay tuned for more details. At this point we are still waiting for the official results!
Kevin
The banners are fluttering everywhere in Calgary; local television covered the airport arrival of equine passengers from Europe, so it must be time for the “Masters” at Spruce Meadows. The first two events of the TELUS Battle of the Breeds were held Thursday. I guess we should also mention that the world’s best jumpers are also here and providing great thrills.
Team Appaloosa includes some new faces at the battle, but the people and horses performed well. In the photo is Allie Sutton of Sundre, Alberta, riding her four-year old stallion High on Believin. He’s a son of High Sign Nugget. This was the compulsory skills portion of the competition. Team Appaloosa was edged out of the top six placings in compulsories, but came on strong in Jeopardy Jumping later in the day, placing third. Overall points are pretty close, so today’s Precision Driving and Barrel Race will be exciting for the 12 teams.
There will be other photos from the 2009 Masters added to the album (left menu). Stay tuned.
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