I guess everything really is big in Texas.
It must be “casual Friday” at the World Championship Appaloosa Show in Fort Worth — everyone seems to be wearing jeans! While watching the “stump” race, I’m reminded that we have some pretty cool horses that really can do it all. The variety of games classes have featured power, speed and finesse on the part of humans and their mounts. Other classes, from halter to pleasure driving, showcase the beauty, grace and style of horses that seem to already know they are special.
I’ll get final stats for you after the show, but for now I can tell you that we ended up with nearly 950 horses, a number very close the last year’s, and we had considerably more entries. In terms of quality, I’ve had several people express the sentiment that it’s better than they’ve seen in a few years. I have to agree. And, it was great to see bigger classes in cutting, working cowhorse, reining and others.
Our open, non-pro (and youth) exhibitors can compete with the best of any breed and so can our horses. Congratulations to all the winners, but more importantly, thanks to everyone who made the trip to Texas for the show. We know what it takes in terms of time, effort and money to be at a major horse show for more than a week. We appreciate you and your support of the Appaloosa breed.
We’ll post a full report on the World Sale as soon as possible next week. We know that the overall average was $2,933, up slightly from last year. Nearly the same percentage of horses changed hands (61 horses were sold and 32 were repurchased). The average price for horses sold and not repurchased was $1,800, down approximately 20 percent from last year. The high-selling lot was #98 for $5,500.
Christy Wood has been at the autograph table a couple of days this week to sign copies of her new book, “Your Best Horse Show: A Guide for Managers and Exhibitors.” Christy will also be available to sign copies of her book today from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Buy one (or register to win one).
Christy has made a name for herself in the equine industry. From showing to judging—Christy has done it all. She began showing horses as a teen and has persevered since then. After years of showing, Christy added show official and judge to her equestrian resume. She is currently a carded judge for several national and international associations, including the Appaloosa Horse Club, Pinto Horse Association of America, American Miniature Horse Association, Equestrian Trails Inc., Appaloosa Horse Club of Canada, American Paint Horse Association, California State Horsemen’s Association and American Mule Association.
Christy is the owner-trainer of Wood N’ Horse Training Stables, located in Three Rivers, Calif. She is a versatile trainer of all English and western disciplines. Christy also teaches riders from beginners to advanced levels. Christy has been awarded Top Trainer of performance horses, youth and amateur riders many times through the Cal-Western Appaloosa Horse Club. She is also an avid trail rider and participates in the historic Chief Joseph Trail Ride, sponsored by the ApHC.
Christy knows from experience what it takes to organize a successful horse show. Be sure to pick up a copy of “Your Best Horse Show: A Guide for Managers and Exhibitors” at the 2009 World Championship Appaloosa Show or order online at www.wdnhorse.com. To contact Christy, please call (559) 561-4268 or e-mail wdnhorse@theworks.com.
You need to hustle if you’re interested in an on-line bidder number for Wednesday evening’s World Sale. Go to LiveAuction.TV and follow their instructions. We can process the requests much more easily if received sooner rather than later.
Saturday at the World Show in Fort Worth was one of those good-news/bad-news deals. With a full schedule of classes and in some cases more entries, it was a very long day. We had good numbers in working cowhorse and several of the Non-Pro classes. Sunday’s activities are underway with team penning in the Justin arena and trail classes in the Watt. Lots of coffee for show officials, judges and exhibitors. Can’t help wondering sometimes what the horses might be thinking about the around-the-clock schedule of their human connections.
The photo is from Tioga Territory, supplier of a wide variety of official ApHC merchandise. Items are available here at the trade show, but also on-line. We’ve already heard good comments about this year’s show jackets and some of the other new apparel.
A reminder: we try to add a few new photos to the album each day, so keep checking for pics of possible interest.
The community of cutting horse owners, exhibitors and fans is a strong network of folks with a passion for equine athletes and a reverence for Old West traditions. At the World Show, there are ApHC-approved classes as well as additional futurities, sweepstakes and other classes for members of the Appaloosa Cutting Horse Association. Entries are up this year for ApCHA, thanks to a supportive group and the countless hours of volunteer time by such good examples as Liz Kincaid, the group’s current president.
While visiting with Liz, we couldn’t help notice that Billy Owens (left) of Brenham, Texas, and C.W. Tate of Bowie, were having more fun than most in attendance at the cutting. Something about their attitude and demeanor convinced me that horses and buddies make a good formula for genuine enjoyment.
One of the best parts of being at the World Appaloosa Show is visiting with ApHC members…really…it’s refreshing to not be encumbered by electronic static, guesswork about what a punctuation mark means or the basic distance between one place and another. In this case, I had a nice chat with Scott and Barbara Adcock from Raeford, North Carolina. They were interested in this show, the selection process for our National Show site, marketing of the breed and Non-Pro programs. And, they provided me with at least one very good idea about promotion (stay tuned).
Throughout the barn areas in Fort Worth at the Appaloosa World Show you’ll find ApHC members cleaning something — aisles, furniture, tack and their dogs. In this case, Gloria Gifford of Columbus, New Jersey, is working on her show saddle in preparation for the full range of Non-Pro events. Her effort is being evaluated by pal Brooke Flesner of Quincy, Illinois. (Now I can sound like one of the old-timers, since I can remember when Brooke was a wee lass).
This seems like a good opportunity to say THANK YOU to all the exhibitors and support teams who have made the journey to Texas for the ApHC’s prestige event. We appreciate the fact that you are here and we hope your experience at the World is a great one. Thanks for coming!
Greetings from Texas. Move-in day on Wednesday was a really wet one — the metro area received more than four inches of rain! ApHC exhibitors arriving for the World Show struggled throughout the deluge to unload horses and tack and try to get organized.
Thursday is a much better looking day. Folks are busy working horses, finishing stall decorations, getting paperwork taken care of (as in this photo from the show office) and in all sorts of other ways prepping for the week ahead.
Until I hear otherwise, I’ll assume the webcam will be up and running for tomorrow’s first class. Be sure to tune in.
One week and counting until the 2009 World Championship Appaloosa Show in Fort Worth. ApHC staff will be traveling this weekend and early next week to finalize preparations for this showcase event. Entry numbers are looking good and we anticipate an exciting show. Don’t forget to check the webcam if you can’t make it to Texas in person. And, be sure to register early (two days ahead) with LiveAuctions.TV to view and bid on horses in the sale Wednesday, October 28th.
For those of you hauling horses and/or coming to the show, we wish you safe travels and look forward to seeing you in Fort Worth.
The Appaloosa Horse Club has just made it easier for 2009 World Championship Appaloosa Show participants to access entry information! Now participants can simply check their entries through the ApHC Web site. It’s easy, here’s how:
1. Visit www.appaloosa.com
2. Click “Member Sign In” and enter your user name and password.
3. On the “Members Only” page, click “My Horses”.
4. Select a horse and click “View Horse Detail”.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you will find “View National/World Show Entry”.
You can review the entry information for each of your horses and contact the ApHC in advance of the show to make any changes.
Since the first live video stream of the World Championship Appaloosa Show and National Appaloosa Show/World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show, these shows have continued to grow their online audiences. With over 43,000 hits during the 2008 World Show, the popularity of the live video stream has been truly astounding. So, what’s the next step?
New for 2009 World Championship Appaloosa Show, Mustang Productions and the ApHC will integrate live, :30 second commercials “spots” during arena drags and breaks in the arena action. This new service provides ranches, stallion owners and equine related professionals an extraordinary opportunity to promote their products and services via a powerful visual and audio message. Our goal is to provide our advertisers an affordable way to successfully market their products and services to our ever growing and loyal audience.
For more information on having your “spots” seen live on the web contact the ApHC Marketing Department or Julie Mohan at Mustang Productions 940-243-5124
World Show premium books and invitations were mailed on Friday, September 11. The pre-entry deadline & stall reservation deadline is September 25.
You can now look on-line to check the list of classes in which you’ve been invited to participate. This is available for non-pros and for first-listed horse owners. From the home page, click on the “Member Sign-In” button. Then click on the link that says “World Show invitations – click here to see if you’ve been invited to attend”. Finally, if you are a non-pro who has been invited or if you’re the first-listed owner of a horse that has been invited, you can enter your membership number and click “submit” to see the list of classes in which you and/or your horses are able to participate at the World Show.
In addition, the rules and regulations for the show plus all entry blanks are on the ApHC Web site. Click on the World Show logo to access this information.
The two halter slot futurity classes that were scheduled to be held at the World Show have been canceled due to lack of participation. There were minimal entries received by the deadline. All slot owners were contacted and elected to withdraw from the classes. We plan to reintroduce the slot class concept in 2010 in a way that we hope will encourage more excitement and participation. Stay tuned for more details.
The World Sale catalog should be done within the week and will be available online. Printed versions will be available as soon as possible in early October.
Promote your horses, your business, or simply support the ApHC by advertising in this year’s World Sale catalog.
Back cover/inside covers (color): $500 (outside back cover and inside back covers are reserved)
Full page (black/white): $400
½ page (black/white): $300 (one 1/2 page has been reserved)
Business card: $100
**Rates are based on camera ready art, design assistance is available for $25 hour. Accepted file formats are JPG. TIFF, PDF, or EPS. Ad sizes are: Full page 4.5’ x 8’ ; Half page 4.5’ x 4’ ; business card size 3″ x 2″. Reservations are appreciated by Aug 1 and Art work is due by Aug 15th.
This is a friendly reminder that Monday, June 1, is the last day to purchase slots in the futurity and sweepstakes classes at the 62nd National Appaloosa Show & World Championship Appaloosa Youth Show. Monday, June 1, is also the last day futurity and sweepstakes judge nominations will be accepted.
The 2009 slot purses promise to be large, more than $85,500 was paid out in 2008, so get in on the action and purchase a slot in one of the following four classes:
• 3-year-old Western Pleasure Futurity
• 3-year-old Hunter Under Saddle Futurity
• Non-Pro/Youth 5 & Under Western Pleasure Sweepstakes
• Non-Pro Youth 5 & Under Hunter Under Saddle Sweepstakes
Futurity and sweepstakes slots may be purchased for $1,250 and $750, respectively. Based on the number of futurity slots sold, participants can look forward to competing for up to $28,125 in purse money. Twenty slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and five additional temporary slots may be sold depending upon demand. Sweepstakes slot owners have the potential to win a chunk of the $20,625 at stake when all slots are sold.
For more information, or to purchase a slot, please contact Alexcia Livingstone at (208) 882-5578 ext. 244 or via e-mail at show-judges@appaloosa.com.
« More Past Entries
All Posts
