Greetings
from the 2010 Adequan Select World show in Amarillo. I’m your trusted
blogger Maggie Bellville back again this year. It’s hard to believe that
the week is over. It absolutely flew by, and now we know what
we have to do to qualify and prepare for 2011. I have a few final
comments and views from the week.
Final Day – Final Thoughts
It’s hard to believe that the week is over. It absolutely flew by, and now we know what
we have to do to qualify and prepare for 2011.
Here’ a few final comments and views from the week.
– I did not hear one negative word about the
judging. As you all know, there is
usually a comment or two about judging whenever you go to a show. Not this week- they were professional, hard
working, and on their game.
– and as usual the ring steward crew were warm,
encouraging, and organized to a T. They
just give you a caring feeling whenever you go in the pen- job well done once
again!
– the joviality and congenial atmosphere seemed
heightened this year-lots of love and support for each other all the way around.
– new best friends
dept- how about that Trish Schugg coming all the way from Australia and fitting
right in. And the Wilson Sisters, no, not
the rock group Heart- I’m talking Anne and Susan – fun, competitive, and friendly. Anne even had a jacket made for her hubby John that
designated him intern groom. And my new
personal McDreamy – Dr Scott Myers- what a doll!
And that other doll, Wayne Bell- what an amazing horseman.
-the amazing cattle classes- we just don’t see all of
that back east, and it’s exciting to watch those classes. Team penning was the
largest class of the show and the ‘ all ladies’ teams hooped and screamed at
those cows to move-and boy did they.
-the gate crew got us in order and in the gate pronto-
and if you weren’t there they found you!
Thanks guys for your efficiency.
– the AQHA staff once again demonstrated their
‘horsepitality’ by helping move us, hand out drinks, and listen to all of our
stories and comments. Many thanks to
Shelly and team!
-and the museum-just is beautiful and moving. It makes one proud to part of this industry
and association
So, it is with gratitude for Curly, Lily, Lexie, and
Slick, Ronald Stratton, Roy Hauser, and Rob Meneely, all my friends and family
who supported me being here, darling Lew, and the grace of God that I sign off
for one more year. I hope that our good
health and good horses are blessed for the next 12 months till we come together
again.
Maggie Bellville
Day 4 – Surf’s Up! 
While at the Select World show, I met Mary Norman and her
husband Billy from Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Mary was talking about needing to get home to the beach to
“batten down the hatches” because of the pending hurricane. I did get her to pause for a minute.
“I was a national champion surfer for three straight
years in the late 70’s. We’d surf right
off the coast of Virginia.” Mary now coaches young people to surf
competitively and they are awesome. Mary reminisces about the heavy wooden board
she used. She now has a stable of modern day boards to use when they yell ‘surf’s up’.
Mary’s stable doesn’t stop with surf boards. She’s an exceptional breeder of American quarter horses, starting with her multiple time world and congress champion
Dont Skip Me Mister. She has been the Mom to horses
like Dont Skip Me Mr and Compounded, a multiple world champion now owned by the
Confrancescos. She also was reserve
world champion and 3-time reserve palomino champion with Im A Hierd Gun, which
sadly she lost this year. Yet, she
continues to breed. Deb and was 6th in yearling stallions at this year’ s
Select World show. It was also her first time at the
museum party and she was blown away. ‘
The Wall of Honor is so beautiful- I plan to commemorate my horse there, so I
can visit his memory every year in Amarillo.” That is, as long as she’s not
grabbing her board and running to ‘surf’s up!’
Maggie Bellville
Day 3 – International Flavor
One interesting person I have met here at the show is
Trish Schugg (pictured right). Trish is in Amarillo all the way from Melbourne, Australia! This is her fourth year at the Select World
and she has enjoyed the show every day.
“I am absolutely passionate about showmanship and have videoed all
the final goes!” Trish comes to
Amarillo each year by herself and is never at a loss for companionship. “People at this show are so hospitable
and helpful. In Australia, the
Australia Quarter Horse Association started 3 select classes in 2007. It was western pleasure, hunter under
saddle, and trail”, she explained.
these days they have a full complement of classes. ” I learn so much just watching-the
classes are deep with talent and everyone is so competitive.”
Wow – if
Trish is coming all the way from Australia to watch, you guys should come out
sometime too – it is an experience!
Maggie Bellville
Day 2 – A day of nerves
Holy
Cow! What day of intensity in Amarillo and yours truly was in the midst of it
all day. First thing Tuesday was the
finals of showmanship. OMG -19 finalists
trying to figure out a pattern with two blind elements that you had to hit
perfectly – well, it was crazy!!!
We all
came out of the pen shaking our heads and wondering if we had hit our marks
correctly. When the dust settled, Anne
Wilson was the winner and Susan Wilson (no relation) was reserve. Yours truly eeeked
out the third place trophy. We did a group hug and picked up our hardware and
breathed sigh of relief – whew!!!!
In
Amarillo, not far from the fairgrounds, is a hole in the wall restaurant called
Coyote Bluff. It has been featured on The Food Network and the Travel
Channel. It has become the restaurant of choice for the select crowd.
As you walk in, there is a full bathtub with beers on ice which after a
long day at the show can be very inviting! Today we ran over for one of
Coyote Bluff’s great half pounders when we noticed a big gold globe on a table –
yea it was newly crowned World Champion Ann Wilson and they were going to have
dessert! What a way to celebrate!!
Day 1 – It’s kick off time!
We
kicked off the week with the annual shrimp roast done by the team from Louisiana and as usual it was attended by all and delicious. It’s the
perfect start to the week since everyone comes and gets to say hello and get
reacquainted or meet for the first time.
There
are first timers at the show this year. One wonderful couple is Frank McCarver
and his lovely wife Beverly. They are from Johnson City Tennessee and
came with their two year old stallion, Terjay, and he was 5th in his class
Sunday. He shows with Butch Butcher from Maynerdville, Tennessee.
I sat with these first timers to get their impression of the select world
show.
“I’ve
enjoyed the show, the weather, and the AQHA representatives,” said Frank.
“They really make you feel welcome. And the atmosphere, it’s
so laid back and friendly”. I asked Butch what he thought about the
halter classes so far. ” I am impressed with the caliber of horses
and the size of the classes! They are very impressive and the atmosphere
is fun, competitive and friendly.”
Right now we are watching yearling
stallions show – very impressive! More tomorrow.
Maggie Bellville
All photos © The American Quarter Horse Journal
