We received the note below and thought it worthy of dissemination. If a regional club or other group would be interested in supporting Beth, it could certainly be a rewarding endeavor. I mentioned to her that we are in the process of organizing the Appaloosa Foundation, which will be an appropriate channel for this type of request. More details about the Foundation will be available once it’s official.
Hi, my name is Beth Levine. I am an accomplished Para-equestrian rider. A Para-equestrian rider is a rider with some type of physical challenge. I have been on the “long list” of the USA Team for Para-equestrians for some time. One can find out more about this type of riding and competition at USEF web site under the sub-heading of “high-Performance”. Additionally, information can also be found on the USET web site. The Paralympic movement was begun after WWII in an effort to offer soldiers injured in the service of their country more opportunities for rehabilitation as well as a chance to again excel.
In order to be moved to the “short list” of the USA Team I need an appropriate partner to stand out with. Such a horse will need to be competitive at an international level in dressage to Prix St. Georges and would have the opportunity to be an exceptional ambassador for his/her breed! The United States Equestrian Federation recognizes dressage as the fastest growing area of the horse industry and is fueled by the Amateur Owner.
I propose that your association assist me in purchasing a horse that will wonderfully represent your breed. Not only will this offer a yearly chance to internationally promote your breed to the “dressage community” as a representative of Team USA but also we (the horse and I) would be available for other events and FEI competitions to promote your extraordinary breed throughout the year! I look forward to hearing from you!
Thank you,
Beth
“Not only does YOUR breed excel in Dressage-but it is SO wonderful that it can do so with a challenged rider”.
Contact Information
BETH LEVINE
19723 112th Ave. NE
#D203
Bothell WA 98011
Email: bethrides@yahoo.com
We really enjoy getting reports from the field about Appaloosa folks doing well and spreading the gospel. Here’s a note from Brian McLachlin about daughter Kaylee, who is a member of the Alberta ApHA:
The photo is of Kaylee (McLachlin), Amigo and Frank Madden from the 3 day clinic at the Mane Event. The clinic went very well, and was a very positive experience. The sessions each day were 75 minutes long, and done in groups of 6 riders. The other 5 horses in Kaylee’s group were all large bays that were 1 to 2 hands taller than Amigo. Needless to say, Amigo stood out. I heard one girl sitting near us say “I want to see the Appy go, it might give me hope for mine.”
The first day was mostly flatwork, and Frank made a few comments like “That was good for an Appaloosa”, so I wasn’t too sure how the 3 days would go. Saturday saw some more flat work and Amigo stood out, not because of his size or color but because of his nice extended trot. It certainly caught the eye of the crowd which was huge on Saturday. There was more jumping than the day before and Kaylee more than held her own. She and Amigo rode clean, while a few of the other horses were taking down a rail or two.
Day three was mostly jumping, and Frank couldn’t say enough nice things about Amigo. One of the warm-up exercises saw the riders doing 5 strides between fences at a fairly open gallop. When it was Kaylee’s turn, Frank figured they would have to do 6 strides, but they did it in 5 like the bigger warmbloods. At this point he commented on how Amigo was “a real tryer”. Near the end of the session they did the course as if it was a jump-off situation. Amigo and Kaylee made some very neat inside turns, and went clear. The last 2 fences Frank was saying “What a horse! What a horse!” He told the crowd that he has great jump.
It was wonderful to see the difference in his comments from Friday to Sunday. By the applause you could tell Amigo was definitely a crowd favorite. Kaylee had many people coming up to her after the clinic to talk about her horse. The clinic was a great learning experience. Kaylee improved her fundamentals, and learned a lot about course management. It also showed that she is doing many things correctly, and that Amigo is getting some excellent training by Kaylee’s coach.
Brian McLachlin
More than 8,000 people attended the 18th Annual South Dakota Horse Fair held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on March 14th-15th. Once again, Appaloosas were given a chance to shine at the South Dakota Horse Fair by having a booth in the breed boulevard hosted by the Center of the Nation Appaloosa Horse Club (CON ApHC). The CON ApHC offered information in the booth about Appaloosas as well as having a live Appaloosa yearling, RDA Fancy Lady owned by R Dream Appaloosas, available for people to see.
The ApHC provided Youth Judging Guides for a judging clinic, and the helpful books were a big hit with many of the youth there to learn more about judging horses. During the Breed Parade, the history of the Appaloosa was shared with the spectators as Appaloosa horses were exhibited in the arena showcasing the versatility and temperament of today’s breed.
Appaloosas were also represented in Stallion Avenue by ImpressMeDocO’Pepper, a 7-year old stallion owned by Colin and Denise Dutenhoffer. Pepper gave many people insight in to what the Appaloosas can be like and visitors could not believe they were actually observing a stallion that was so relaxed that he laid down in his stall in spite of the crowds enjoying the Horse Fair. Pepper also showed off his gentle temperament by allowing a 5-year-old girl ride him bareback in the arena during the Breed Parade.
The South Dakota Horse Fair also hosted a Stallion Versatility Competition, with only the stallions on Stallion Avenue allowed to participate. Stallions participated in 5 events: Western Pleasure, Barrels, Freestyle Reining, Ranch Cutting, and Halter to earn points toward the high place overall versatility award. ImpressMeDocO’Pepper, ridden by Denise Dutenhoffer, participated in four of the five events but did not win the title.
TRAIL END has been accepted to WORLDFEST HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL!
Screening Details:
Sunday, April 13 – 3:00PM
Thursday, April 17 – 5:00PM
Sunday, April 20 – 3:00PM
The AMC Studio 30 - Westheimer at Dunvale
2949 Dunvale Rd
Houston, TX 77063
For more details and ticket info please visit: www.worldfest.org
TRAIL END has been accepted to the PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL!
Screening Details:
Sunday, April 13 – 12:00PM
Florida Atlantic University, DeSantis Center
College of Business
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
561-297-2980
For more details and ticket info please visit:www.pbifilmfest.org. Please come out and support these TRAIL END screenings.
Take care,
Shannan Keenan
www.justhank.com/trailend.htm
www.myspace.com/trailend
Rural residents have long had to deal with folks from the city dumping their unwanted dogs. Now you can add horses to the mix.
“The forced closure of the last horse killing facilities in the U.S., done at the urging of animal rights activists, has caused a herd of unwanted horses in animal shelters nationwide, according to breeders, ranchers and horse rescuers.”
That’s the lead sentence in an article from a recent USA Today that looks at the consequences of legislative and legal maneuverings that have made horse slaughter illegal in the U.S. What’s more, the article warns, “Although it remains legal to ship horses to Mexico or Canada for slaughter…there is a move in Congress to close that off as well.”
Paxton Ramsey, an East Texas cattleman and horse breeder, says the shutdown of slaughterhouses has led to stray horses showing up in higher numbers on public land and private property. If that continues, he told the paper, it won’t be long before the public has to foot the bill for a half-million horses at $2,400/horse/year.
Meanwhile, neglected horses are showing up in shelters across the nation. While some shelters say they have room for more horses, shelters in Virginia, Tennessee and Illinois are full, according to the article. Donna Ewing, founder of Hoofed Animal Rescue and Protection Society in Barrington Hills, IL, told the paper, “I’ve seen a tremendous increase in the number of people pleading with us to take their horses and we absolutely cannot.”
– Burt Rutherford, BEEF Magazine
News from writer and filmmaker Shannan Keenan: TRAIL END has been accepted to the Method Fest Film Festival!
Screening Details:
Shorts Program 5 Choose Your Own Adventure
Sunday, March 30 – 12:30PM
Carlson Family Theatre
Viewpoint School
23630 Mulholland Hwy.
Calabasas, CA 91302
(Los Angeles area)
For more details and ticket info please visit: www.methodfest.com
TRAIL END A HIT IN RED ROCK COUNTRY
TRAIL END had two sold-out screenings as part of the Shorts Program 1 at the Sedona International Film Festival. Due to tremendous support from the audience, TRAIL END tied for 3rd Place out of 60 shorts in the Audience Choice votes. For more information about the festival please visit: www.sedonafilmfestival.com
www.justhank.com/trailend.htm
www.myspace.com/trailend
Ever dreamed of being a real cowgirl? Can you picture yourself horseback riding through the open countryside? If so, then Cowgirl University’s Kindle the Cowgirl Spirit Retreat on May 8-11, 2008, in the Texas Hill Country, is perfect for you. This annual weekend adventure, made possible by the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, is not just another themed girl’s-getaway with a cowgirl twist.
Cowgirl U’s Kindle the Cowgirl Spirit Retreat is the real-deal, bringing National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Honorees together for one benefit – to share with you their stories and teach you skills needed for Western life. Whether or not you have extensive experience in the saddle, this retreat is for beginners and seasoned horsewomen alike. Retreat-goers are welcome to bring their own horse or rent one for the weekend.
Set on the Simmons’ Ranch, a sprawling 2,000 acre working ranch in Burnet, Texas – located approximately one hour northwest of Austin, Texas; one-and-a-half hours north of San Antonio, Texas – Cowgirl U’s Kindle the Cowgirl Spirit centers on horsemanship skills taught by the Honorees who embody that Cowgirl Spirit. As this is a working-cowgirl retreat, women will learn inside tips on how to assess, handle and care for a horse firsthand from some of the nation’s top horsewomen. Retreat-goers will dine on gourmet-ranch cuisine and sleep in comfortable guest homes on the ranch conveniently located to activity and meal areas.
This year’s Honorees include Sherri Mell, 2004 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honoree - 2006 Appaloosa Horse Club Hall of Fame. The photo shows Sherri with her parents Suzanne and Hennig Koch, both of whom are also ApHC Hall of Famers. The picture doesn’t necessarily go along with the story, but we always like an excuse to brag about our Hall of Fame folks.
While many cowgirls specialize in just one or two key rodeo events, Mell enters and often wins an array of rodeo and horse show competitions. However, she is best known for her success as a calf roper. Mell is the only woman to win a championship at the National and World shows in calf roping – an event dominated by men. Since 1990 she has led the nation in non-pro calf roping. She is the first woman to win a National Finals Rodeo Championship title riding an Appaloosa, her only mount, and has won more than 100 world and national rodeo and horse titles throughout her career.
TRAIL END has been accepted to the Sedona International Film Festival!
Screening Details:
Shorts Program 1
Friday, February 29 – 4:30PM
Sunday, March 2 – 9:30AM
Harkins Theatre 6
2081 West Highway 89A
Sedona, Arizona 86336
For more details and ticket info please visit:
www.sedonafilmfestival.com
For information about filmmaker Shannan Keenan and the Trail End movie starring Hank the Appaloosa, visit: www.justhank.com
Veteran Appaloosa youth horse Pistol Step K has been chosen to appear as the “We’d Love to Own” horse in Horse & Rider magazine’s April 2008 issue. As such, he’ll be seen by some 180,000 readers, who’ll also learn about his background and the traits that make him special. In the Jim Bortvedt photo selected by Horse & Rider, he’s ridden bareback by Sarah Hanna of St. Helens, Oregon.
Pistol Step K, also known as Joe, is a 1993 blanketed dun gelding by Royal Pistol K, and out of Precious Lady D, by Pok-A-Dan. Appaloosa Journal readers may recognize him as one of the horses in the ApHC’s “Breed of Choice” ad campaign. He’s currently owned by Tracy Rampone of McMinnville, Oregon.
Trained by Tim and Lori Larsen, longtime Appaloosa pros also of St. Helens, Joe’s amassed over 300 ApHC points in nine events. Just last year, he took Jamie Hanna to the reserve national title in novice youth hunt seat equitation. He’s been a member of the Larsens’ Silver Oaks Farm barn for a dozen years, ever since the couple saw him in an Appaloosa reining futurity at the World Show and brought him home to become a youth mount.
Lori describes Joe as “one of the coolest horses I’ve ever had–one of the few who comes to play the game every day, without fail.”
The ApHC is pleased and proud to have Pistol Step K chosen as one of only 12 horses a year to star in Horse & Rider’s “We’d Love to Own” feature. Another Appaloosa, Fairly Flashy, appeared in the January 2008 issue.
Submitted by Juli Thorson
Look for Appaloosa/ApHC advertising in Equestrian Magazine, including a February feature. We also have banner ads on the www.equestmagazine.com web site.
The ApHC and Nicker Network will be working together to offer quality Appaloosa images, breed information and history to the viewers of Nicker Network. We are starting with banner ads and will be providing some photos and video for the breed pages at www.nickernetwork.com.
The Appaloosa Horse Club was formed in 1938, so that makes next year our 70th anniversary as a breed organization. The Journal is planning a special feature for late summer or early fall, but we thought you might like to offer some suggestions about other ways to mark this celebration-worthy milestone. In addition to specific opportunities such as the National and World shows, we’ll work on media releases, website featurettes, and other ways to spotlight our history.
Feel free to send us your comments and suggestions about how we might do more than “observe” our anniversary in 2008.
The TRAIL END DVD is now available…and just in time for Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers. The DVD includes the award winning short film TRAIL END, starring Barry Corbin ( and the Appaloosa co-star Chippen Gold, aka “Chip”, and a Behind the Scenes featurette about The Making of Trail End.
Purchase the DVD by going to this link: http://www.justhank.com/trailenddvd.htm
November 8-12, 2007 marked the 10th anniversary of Equine Affaire at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Horse enthusiasts from throughout New England converged on the site by the tens of thousands to learn from the various clinics, demonstrations, and seminars presented by leading professionals in the horse industry. Of course, some folks just came for the shopping, and the vendors at Equine Affaire offered everything from calendars to carriages, feed to fences, and tail bags to trailers! Through the years and with events hosted in Columbus, OH and Pomona, CA, Equine Affaire has blossomed into the premier and most prestigious event in the United States.
Appaloosas were fortunate to be a part of this event and they were represented well. Connecticut Appaloosa Association President Teri Coughlin and volunteers Scott Artioli, Nancy Clem, Casey Coughlin, Sue Cormier, Mikey Curtis, Lynn Endres, Joan Fagan, Kelli Labbe, Amanda Larivee, Denise LoMascolo, Erika LeBaron, Janet Murray, Petra Peyton, Heather Porciello, Kathy Reed, Pam Salois, Kim Siegel, Jodi Schaufus, Lynne Wentworth, Barbara Shepard, Kip Shepard, Dustin Eikenhorst and Sarah Tremblay answered numerous questions about the breed and passed out information provided by the ApHC by the handful.
Kip and Barbara Shepard’s PCE Rockina Star, Brenda Coggin’s Hot Rockin Rickie and Robin Bond’s Some Kinda Treat and RCS Powerstroke were on hand to greet visitors at the breed booth in the Breed Pavilion and in the Horse and Farm exhibitor area in C Barn. These exceptional Appaloosas also participated in clinics with Julie Goodnight, Richard Shrake, and Bob Jeffreys and Suzanne Shepard.
On Saturday at 11:15 the coliseum was packed preceding a clinic by Horse Whisperer Monty Roberts and the Appaloosa breed demonstration was applauded by the packed house. Native American flute music introduced Robin and Some Kinda Treat who honored the heritage of the Appaloosa by representing an Indian Plains woman. Deanna Coggin and All Hands Off Jane strutted their stuff going saddleseat. Prince Charles Enterprise’s trainer Sarah Tremblay presented 3 year-old PCE Rockina Star currently top ten in hunter under saddle. Western pleasure horse Third Rock carried 14 year-old owner Melanie Cormier, and Casey Coughlin reined and stopped RCS Powerstroke to the delight of the crowd.
The Western Massachusetts Appaloosa Association and The Connecticut Appaloosa Association attained a goal set back in 1998 when the Green Mountain Appaloosa Association joined them, the Granite State Appaloosa Association, and the Maine Appaloosa Horse Club to bring all of the Northeast clubs together for the first time to promote the horse we hold so dear. Members of these regional clubs came together and shared the responsibility of manning the breed booth sponsored by the ApHC.
Territory VI Director Chuck McWhirter was pleasantly surprised when he showed his support of the Northeast regional clubs by attending Equine Affaire. McWhirter observed first hand the record breaking crowds and the marketing opportunities available through participation at Equine Affaire. Appaloosa breed coordinators Janice Carroll, Robin Bond, and Teri Coughlin would like to thank Mr. McWhirter for his support and enthusiasm.
The goal of the coordinators for the 2008 event is to produce an “Appaloosa Alley” and fill a whole row of stalls with the region’s most talented and colorful horses. Stalls in the Horse and Farm exhibitor area sell out in June! If you are interested in participating in this extraordinary marketing opportunity please contact your regional club’s Equine Affaire representative.
The Appaloosa Museum hosted a big crowd at its annual Christmas Open House on Saturday, December 1st. Just guessing, but I’d say at least 200 people stopped by on a day that looked and felt special as snowflakes fluttered and smiles could be seen at every turn.
Actually, the formula for attracting kids and their parents is pretty simple, and it still works really well. Give them some cookies to decorate and/or eat, let them pose for photos atop a gentle Appaloosa, and bring in Santa Claus. It’s a truly reliable recipe.
This young lady remained oblivious to the crowd and displayed considerable skill as she applied icing to her horse-shaped Christmas cookie. The decorating tables became stop #1 in a series of fun things to do at the Appaloosa Museum’s Open House. A seemingly endless stream of wide-eyed children and their dutiful parents got the most out of a visit to the museum headquarters in Moscow, Idaho.
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