Riding in Nez Perce Heritage costume, the Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club won the “Equestrian Sweepstakes Award” in the Norco Valley Fair Parade held September 7 in the city of Norco, California for the second year in a row. Ten riders costumed in Nez Perce Indian regalia were joined by two others in Heritage of other eras riding their colored (and non colored) Appaloosas. The parade group included: Club President, Leslie Foxvog, Paul Foxvog, C.J. Brooks, Joe Brooks, Debbie Herzman, Evon Owens, Stephanie Vrabel, Larry Rawley, Danie Foxvog, Christy Wood, Steve Wood and Angila Gallagher. Club appreciation & thanks goes to CZ member, Debbie Herzman, for outfitting several of the group with her prized collection of costume pieces.
The Calizona Appaloosa Horse Club is the 2008 Regional Exemplary Award Winning Club. The club promotes horse owners to exhibit their horses as well as other breeds in a variety of diverse classes ranging from Western, English and Heritage. It is an important goal for Calizona to reach out to the public and the equine community with the focus on fun, family and friendship. The Club membership continues on a leading path to promote that the Appaloosa is a talented versatile breed, is family oriented and provides many benefits.
Calizona ApHC’s parade group will appear in the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2010.
Leslie Foxvog
President Calizona ApHC
While at the recent Canadian National Appaloosa Show in Brandon, Manitoba, I had the good fortune to meet Melia Blakely. She’s a 17-year-old AYA member from Coldwater, Ontario, and she’s a delightful ambassador for our breed. More accurately, she and her colorful mare Neon Cola Sign are a public relations team for Appaloosas.
The six-year-old leopard mare is sired by High Sign Nugget and out of Candy Cola, a daughter of Me Gold Two. Melia and Cola have not only been a fixture at Appaloosa shows, they have been highly competitive among the National Reining Horse Association ranks. In fact, the real reason for this writing is to brag about the fact that they finished the 2008 season ranked fifth overall in the 14-18 division of NRHA. That’s a huge accomplishment made so much better for all of us because Cola is such a colorful, pretty horse.
“I started riding horses at age seven and decided to try reining by the time I was 13,” Melia says. “One of the trainers in the barn where I rode was into reining and it looked like fun.” After gaining some experience and connecting with ApHC trainer and judge Harvey Stevens, the search was on for a “good” reining horse. The one they found “just happened to be an Appaloosa.”
“I love Cola,” a smiling Melia explains. “She’s gorgeous and so sweet, plus she’s laid back – like me. Harvey decided she was the horse for me, so we purchased Cola from Wilburn Archer.”
Another highlight of the Melia-Cola resume is qualifying for the provincial young rider team chosen to participate in the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in Kentucky. Melia says it was awesome to qualify, but she opted for the ApHCC show to try for a Canadian championship. Turns out she did that. At the Canadian National Show she and Cola won the youth reining.
Where to from here? Melia says one of her goals is to make the Top Ten at the Quarter Horse Congress show. She’ll also be focusing on her 12th grade year in school and making plans for college.
In the meantime, we tip our hat to a young lady with personality-plus who happens to be providing invaluable promotion for the Appaloosa breed with her colorful partner, Cola. Nice to meet you both.
Sad news this week of the death of Victoria Ennis, matriarch of Texoma Appaloosas in Kingston, Oklahoma. Most of us knew Victoria as an Appaloosa breeder and racing industry promoter. Her horses, which she obviously loved dearly, were versatile enough to win halter championships, performance classes and stakes races. Of course, we loved her for the steadfast support she gave to the Appaloosa Horse Club. Victoria will be greatly missed, but long remembered in ApHC circles.
Visitation is Thursday August 6, 11:00 am at Watts Funeral Home in Kingston. The funeral service is Friday August 7th at 10:00 am at St. Williams Catholic Church. The wattsfuneralhome.com site has all the pertinent information.
Hi there,
I wanted to let you know that on October 14, our show about BJ Winship and her Appaloosa horse will air on Julie Goodnight’s Horse Master RFD-TV show. BJ was a delight to have on the show. Her father raised Appaloosas for years and offered that BJ could select the horse she wanted from his herd. BJ chose Candy who was part of the brood mare herd.
BJ’s dad passed away just recently and BJ is dedicated to helping Candy be the best horse she can be in order to celebrate her dad’s legacy. Since Candy hadn’t been started under saddle until late, she didn’t have a good stop cue. The episode with Julie starts with BJ telling her about her dad’s history with horses, then her plan to make BJ a great horse—if she can learn to stop! In the next two days, Julie taught BJ how to cue her horse with her seat first—teaching a sequence of cues that will help the horse have a relaxed stop once training progresses.
I’m attaching a quote from Julie about working with BJ and some still photos from the show.
“Working with BJ and her lovely Appy mare, Candy, took me back to my childhood and the first time I ever saw an Appaloosa. It was a stunning leopard stallion and he and his master were something to behold. Candy is a lovely mare with a good mind, strong build and that priceless willingness that is true to the breed. It was fun to think about BJ getting to choose a mare from her father’s herd and it was clearly fulfilling to BJ.” –Julie Goodnight
Julie’s Blog about the Horse Master shoot in Oregon, where BJ was one of 6 shows: http://juliegoodnightontheroad.blogspot.com/2009/07/long-road-home.html
Thank you!
Heidi Nyland
Horse Master Producer/ Marketing Director
heidi@juliegoodnight.com
We received this sad note from Catherine Dunnagan
To all my horse friends………….
I just found out today that Jeanne Buisman, a person that I have known for a long time is in ICU fighting for her life as she sustained a kick to her head last Thursday while trying to load a horse on the trailer to be transported to a horse show. Jeanne sustained a fractured skull – they have operated on her and have put her back together with a plate and pins, they have been keeping her in an induced coma. She has not been aware of where she is or what has happened. If you believe in the power of prayer, please offer one for Jeanne Buisman and hope that she can heal and overcome this tragedy.
Jeanne and Gary Buisman and their son Keith has been in the Appaloosa Horses for as long as I have known them. Jeanne has been on the Board of Directors of the N.A.A. Appaloosa Association since she was a person in her early 20’s. We all understand the horse business, but you never expect that a tragedy like this is going to happen to you or to someone that we all know. I just thought that everyone might like to know……so I am passing along this information.
If you wish to send a card to the family, I will include their address:
Gary, Jeanne and Keith Buisman
3686 Atlantic Avenue
Fairport, NY 14450
We receive this photo from Patty Baker, ApHC member and trainer from Lacey, Washington. She says: Cool picture of Kara Whitsell and DZS MAC DANDY (barn name, Toby) at the Tall Timber Opener Show in Spanaway, Washington, in June. I like the white leather jacket that matches the horse. Toby is owned by Donna French of North Carolina.
No, it’s not the underground train, it’s the sandwich chain of restaurants. The marketing folks at Subway have apparently been listening to the research and reminding themselves that Baby Boomers are still a fairly active and very large segment of consumers. Nothing says “be healthy” like an appeal to lifestyle choices involving physical fitness and some mental restoration/alignment (think about where we’ve been and the culture we grew up with). I guess a good sandwich can help.
The “Fit to Boom” campaign invites us to share our stories about later-in-life revelations and enter a “Refresh Your Life” contest. We like the fact that a spotted horse is part of the equation.
The point of this post is to direct your attention to a video on the Subway website. You’ll eventually see the subject enjoying the great outdoors on a colorful Appaloosa. That’s our version of “finding yourself” and being centered in the complex universe.
Thanks to ApHC member Pam Hargesheimer for sharing the information. Take a look.
http://fittoboom.msnbc.msn.com/?source=spotlight1>1=25054#/home/video/1/0
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.
Note and photos from Jan Collins.
I just wanted to share with you how successful our Saddle Up for St. Jude was. We had 105 riders and fed 143 hamburgers and raised more than $3,500 from the meal and auction. The books and prints that you donated for the auction were an interest for many. I have a friend who made frames out of old barn wood for two of the prints.
T.J. Flowers and his family came and spent the day with us. He is a patient at St. Jude from our hometown, Winnfield, Louisiana. He had never ridden a horse, so the picture is T.J. on his first horse.
Thanks again for being so helpful with the club’s donation. I’ll be calling again next year. I’m the coordinator for the 2nd Annual Saddle Up for St. Jude!
Thanks, Jan, for the note and photos. We are especially proud of the community involvement of ApHC members and regional clubs. This event is a perfect example of what it’s all about. And – it’s certainly okay that you included “other” breeds in support of a good cause. Congratulations.
A note from Mildred Truelove:
In response to the Appaloosa Journal’s request for owners of Sheldak bred horses I would like to tell about the time we bought Skip Of Stars from Dave and Kim Utke.
In 2000 I bought Star Status a 1990 model halter bred stallion that was standing by St. Louis in Illinois from the Youngs. We had only 2 short years with this beautiful stallion before he suffered a broken leg and had to be put down. It was a very traumatic experience for us and we cried many tears for this loss.
I began making several calls all over the country trying to locate a horse as nice as the one we had lost. The breeding season would soon be upon us. In the mean time a friend Karen Youmans who was frequently on the internet looking said you have to see this stallion Skip Of Stars so she took me to the library to see a picture on Sheldak’s web site. I had already talked to Kim about whether or not they had anything available in a earlier phone call and Kim said possibly they might sell Skip because the maiden mares they would be breeding that Spring would all be half sisters. Well after seeing his picture at the library I made another phone call and began earnestly trying to convince Kim that I needed to have him. And I promised to love him forever.
So since Jan. of 2003 Skip Of Stars has been producing colts and fillies for us here in Illinois. And he’s still passing on the same beautiful heads and outstanding conformation that he did in North Dakota. They are still athletic and enjoy the same qualities that Skip produced from Sheldak mares. He is a kind horse, never causes any problems just hangs out and does his job when needed. And I will still love him forever just as I promised.
Mildred Truelove
Rock n’ T Appaloosas
Casey, Illinois
Reed Clark Humpherys, 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Wayan, Idaho on April 26, 2009. Born in Thayne, on July 11, 1924, Reed was the oldest of eight children of Willard Davis Humpherys and Rhoda Clark, both first generation descendants of Mormon pioneers who settled the Utah, Idaho and Wyoming areas. Reed’s early years were spent on Star Valley dairy farms, where he very effectively learned about cattle and horses, which formed the basis of his livelihood in the years to come.
Reed married Doris Rudrud of Grand Forks, N.D. on Nov. 27, 1943 in Galesburg, Ill., and later sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on April 24, 1945. After serving as a flight instructor until the end of WWII, he returned to ranch life with his dad in Lava Hot Springs and then in Grays Lake during the spring of 1948. At the age of 26, he assumed the responsibility of running the ranch upon the death of his dad. He lived on and operated the JH-Bar ranch for 61 years, until his death on April 26, 2009.
He raised palomino, appaloosa and paint horses, served for nine years on the Appaloosa Horse Club’s Board of Directors and three years as Chairman of the Judges Committee. He judged Paints for 30 years and was the oldest active judge until his retirement last year. Reed served on the Caribou County Fair Board for ten years. In April 2006 Reed was inducted into the Idaho Horseman Hall of Fame. He served in several leadership positions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints, including Grays Lake Ward Bishop and Stake High Councilor. As a philanthropist, he was president of an international humanitarian organization supporting schools in Central and South America and Europe.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 1, 2009 at noon at the Soda Springs LDS Stake Center. A viewing will be held at the Sims Funeral Home on Thursday April 30 from 6-8 p.m., and on Friday morning at the Stake Center from 10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Soda Springs, Idaho.
Follow the link below for the full obituary from the Star Valley Independent.
http://www.starvalleyindependent.com/2009/04/independent-obituaries-april-30-2009/
Long time Appaloosa Member, Barbara Woolery passed away this morning, April 29, 2009. Barbara was at home with her son and daughter-in-law, Brent & Leslie Woolery.
Barbara will always be known as an influential member of our Appaloosa community. I will always remember Barbara for her giving heart, and willingness to help with any project beneficial to our regional and National club. The clubs here in Colorado are better because of the involvement of Barb & her husband George (who passed away a number of years ago).
A memorial service for Barbara will be held on Tuesday, May 5th at 1:00 pm at the Howe Mortuary in Longmont, Colorado (you can find more details at their website: http://www.howemortuary.com.
The family asks that if you would like to contribute to a memorial, donations be sent to:
Barb Woolery Memorial
Evercare Hospice,
6455 S. Yosemite Street
6th Floor
Englewood, CO 80111
If you would like to send a card of condolesence, Brent & Leslie’s address is:
Brent & Leslie Woolery
7465 CR 34
Platteville CO 80651
303-906-1369
buff197@aol.com
Sincerely,
Teresa O Johnson
President Mountain & Plains ApHC
No visit to a horse facility would be complete without meeting the dogs. At Lazy J Farm near Gallatin, Tennessee, the hospitality is warm and the horses are happy. At left is Joni Isaacson, owner of the farm. With her is Don Charest, who trains there. I’ll have more about Don’s connection to the latest Appaloosa celebrity, Dawson (Blazin Zipper), a gelding that appeared in the Brooks & Dunn music video, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.”
Don’s Corgi companion is Marley. Joni’s Jack Russell is Missy.
While in the Nashville area for a visit with the various Appaloosa connections to the Brooks and Dunn music video, Cowgirls Don’t Cry, I was able to meet Blazin Zipper. He’s a young gelding owned by Dennis Skelly and trained by Don Charest. Better known as “Dawson,” the Appaloosa appears in the video featuring Reba McEntire and Ronnie Dunn’s daughter Haley. It’s a hit song that has generated quite a bit of positive feedback for both the POA and ApHC.
In this photo, Don has brought Dawson out for a brief walk to check on his recovery from a recent injury. Apparently he played a little too hard after being turned out for some exercise. He was scheduled to compete at a regional show this weekend, but is assigned to stall rest for a few more days.
I’ll post more about my chats with Dennis and Don. Eventually, there should be something suitable for publication in the Journal.
We received sad news from Sharon Hopkins about long-time ApHC friend and judge, Ricky Walk.
Our friend Ricky Walk passed away Wed. afternoon at 2:15 PM. Visitation will be at Morgan Sifford Funeral Home(573) 222-3545 – 580 N Highway 51, Puxico, MO on Friday April 3 5pm, and the funeral will be in the Puxico High School Gymnasium on Saturday, April 4. at 1:00 pm. The school is the only place large enough to accomodate the expected crowd.
There are two flower shops in Puxico Country Blessings, 573-222-9930 , and In Bloom 573- 222-6106. However, the family has established a scholarship fund in lieu of flowers. RICKY WALK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND, c/o Diane Barnfield, HC 2 Box 2271, Wappapello, MO 63966.
Diane is his cousin, who worked tirelessly to help Ricky get medical attention and make sure he was taken care of. She is the perfect one to keep track of this memorial.I am sure there will horse shows and fundraisers to keep the scholarship funded. Ricky was deeply involved with the youth in his community and served on the School Board. This is very fitting.
Sharon
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