Yearly Archives: 2011

AQHA members are invited to nominate an equine veterinarian’s selfless service in AAEP’s Good Works Campaign.

Do you know a commendable veterinarian?

More than likely you do. According to a 2009 equine welfare survey by The American Association of Equine Practitioners, 71 percent of its members had donated resources or services to assist the equine community in the past year.

Now there’s an opportunity to recognize these veterinarians. AAEP has invited American Quarter Horse members, owners and organizations to nominate veterinarians for the AAEP Good Works Campaign. This campaign celebrates the “good work” of veterinarians who devote time and expertise beyond the scope of their everyday practice to help horses and the equine community.

Throughout 2011, the AAEP Good Works Campaign will spotlight AAEP-member practitioners whose volunteer efforts are improving the health and welfare of horses. Each month, AAEP will select a veterinarian nominated by a horse owner or organization for special recognition.

Monthly honorees will be considered for the 2011 Good Works Award, to be presented during the 57th Annual Convention in San Antonio. The nomination form is available online.

AAEP defines “good works” as selfless acts of giving back to the horse, for the sake of the horse and people they serve. Examples of “good works” may include:

• Offering free or low-cost vaccinations or veterinary services to a community
• Volunteering services or resources at an equine rescue or retirement facility
• Volunteering services or resources at a horse-related therapy center
• Contributing funds to support an equine-related benevolent program
• Participating in educational programs for youth equine organizations
• Educating clients or horse owners about proper horse health care
• Helping working equids locally or abroad, including projects in third world countries

AAEP members performing “good works” will be featured on the AAEP Good Works webpage, in Equine Veterinary Education, and a bi-monthly e-newsletter, Spur of the Moment. Visit AAEP for more information about the good work of AAEP veterinarians, nominating a veterinarian or finding resources for volunteering in your community.

The AAEP Good Works Campaign is sponsored in part by AAEP Educational Partner, Pfizer Animal Health. Pfizer Animal Health strives to improve horse health by helping to build strong relationships between veterinarians and horse owners and providing a range of products backed by the highest standards of scientific research.

AAEP, headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its more than 10,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry. AAEP frequently contributes to AQHA’s Ask an Expert column on America’s Horse Daily.

The American Horse Council national issues forum will focus on new tenor in Congress.

The theme for this year’s American Horse Council National Issues Forum is “Congress on a Diet: What It Means for the Horse Industry.”

This year’s National Issues Forum is June 21 in Washington, D.C., during AHC’s annual meeting, which is June 19-22 at the Washington Court Hotel. The event also includes an update on the national equine health initiative, the Congressional Reception and the annual Congressional Ride-In. This year’s meeting will also see the return of the AHC Breed Roundtable, a popular event that brings together leaders of horse associations to discuss common issues of importance to the industry.

AHC’s various committees, including the Unwanted Horse Coalition, will also meet to discuss issues affecting the equine community.

“The highlight of this year’s forum will be presentations from members of Congress, staff and federal regulatory agencies on the new fiscal realities in Washington. They will discuss how Congress’s efforts to deal with the country’s deficits may result in cut-backs to federal programs and spending that could affect the horse industry,” says AHC President Jay Hickey. “There is a new paradigm in Washington that will affect all American industries, including the horse industry.”

The AHC Breed Roundtable allows leaders of horse organizations involved in various disciplines to visit with each other and discuss issues of common concern. The AHC Board of Trustees believes it is important to reinstitute the Breed Roundtable this year because of the important issues facing the horse industry.

Equine welfare, disease outbreaks, unwanted horses and public relations are all concerns. The number of people purchasing horses and participating in the industry is down. As the country emerges from the economic downturn, many horse associations are wrestling not only with how to bring back people who have left the industry but also how to attract new owners, new participants and new members. The Breed Roundtable will provide an opportunity for industry executives to discuss these issues across breeds and disciplines and learn from each other.

There will also be an update on the national equine health initiative.

“This initiative resulted from the USDA-AHC-hosted workshop at last year’s National Issues Forum, which provided an opportunity for the horse industry, key federal and state authorities and others to discuss a coordinated approach to the handling of serious infectious equine diseases that threaten the health of our horses and the commercial health of the industry,” Hickey says.

These outbreaks affect the interstate and international movement of horses, which is critical to the horse industry. When barriers to movement are raised by states and foreign countries concerned about the spread of infectious diseases, this affects sales, breeding, racing, competitions and recreation.

The annual Congressional Ride-In is Wednesday, June 22. The Ride-In allows members of the horse community to meet with their elected representatives and their federal officials to discuss important issues affecting them. All members of the horse community are encouraged to participate, even if you don’t attend the AHC convention.

“The Ride-In puts a face on the $102 billion horse industry and the millions of Americans who are part of it,” Hickey says. “The most effective way to affect Congress is through the voters, the horse people from back home who can tell Congress first hand about the horse industry in their respective states and districts and the issues that impact them.”

AHC will conduct a free briefing for Ride-In participants. Anyone wishing to participate in the Ride-In should contact AHC Legislative Director Ben Pendergrass at [email protected] or (202) 296-4031.

More information on these Forums and the entire AHC annual meeting, including registration and hotel information can be found on the Events Page on AHC’s website or by contacting AHC.

As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day.

The AHC is member supported by individuals and organizations representing virtually every facet of the horse world from owners, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, breed registries and horsemen's associations to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial suppliers and state horse councils.

The Region 3 Championships have set their 2011 show schedule and are pleased to announce several new additions to the show, slated for July 13-17, 2011 in St. Paul, Minnesota at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The biggest change exhibitors will see is the addition of AQHA pointed classes in Open, Amateur and Youth. These classes will be held separately from the Region 3 Championship classes, with two judges for two sets of AQHA points to be awarded. The show is also offering a lower crossover fee for exhibitors entering both the Region 3 Championship classes and the AQHA classes.

Returning to the show this year are the Team Penning and Ranch Sorting Classes. These classes were dropped for several reasons in 2010, but after hearing from several exhibitors and help in working out some of the difficulties, the committee is very pleased to have Open and Amateur Team Penning and Ranch Sorting at the Region 3 Championships and in the AQHA classes as well this year. Amateur and Open Pleasure Driving also returned to the show schedule in direct response to requests from exhibitors.

New in 2011 is the addition of Adult and Youth Rookie Classes in Trail, Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Showmanship at Halter, Western Pleasure, and Horsemanship. The rookie classes are limited to exhibitors who have shown in the AQHA class fewer than 10 times, have not won more than once or earned more than 1 AQHA point. They do not have to own the horse they show in the Rookie class, but it must be AQHA registered. The Rookie classes are an expansion of the First Time Exhibitor Classes previously offered.

The Region 3 Championships have also added a stall decorating contest to their list of fun activities, such as the watermelon feed, ice cream social and exhibitor party. AQHA Professional Horsemen will be presenting free clinics again this year, the clinics have proven very popular with the Region 3 exhibitors each year.

For entry information on the show please visit their website www.region3experience.com. The deadline for pre-entries in the Region 3 Championships is June 15, 2011. Entries will be accepted after that date with a late fee. Entries for the AQHA classes will be taken at the show.

Thanks to AQHA Executive Director of Judges Alex Ross for providing GoHorseShow with this list. Congratulations on the individuals who have been approved to test in April. Good luck to everyone!!

Here is a list of applicants approved to attend the Judges Qualifying Exam in April:

April Devitt

Sylvia Katschker

Lora Knelly

Richard Spinks

Jason Turner

Sissy Anderson

Chris Arnold

Tonya Brown

Melissa Dukes

Mike Hoeppner

Kathy Koch

Brent Maxwell

Jennifer McGrath

Judd Paul

Kelly Smith

Gene Stewart

Lori Gingrich

Steve Heckaman

Mike McMillian

Fort Worth, TX—In anticipation of the American Paint Horse Association’s first qualifying period for World Show competition, the Association’s Executive Committee made clarifications to the qualifying requirements during a recent meeting.

The clarifications consisted of two points:

No single show activity can create more than two show events at any given time.For example, two back-to-back two-judge shows count as two events total. However, a four-judge POR back-to-back with a four-judge POR back-to-back with a two-judge special event counts as a maximum of two show events. In all cases, the total number of judges may be counted toward the minimum judge requirement.

Instead of “two-year-old performance classes” and “three-year-old performance classes” being exempt from qualifying, the exemption now reads “two-year-old performance horses”and “three-year-old performance horses.” This will allows two- and three-year-old performance horses to show in all classes without qualifying.

There were no changes to the intent of the qualifying requirements, which are included at the end of this document. At no time will the number of points or lack thereof be considered for qualification. Participation at APHA-approved shows is the only basis for qualification. This is done by competing at four different APHA-approved show events, with a minimum of eight judges total during the qualifying period. No single show activity can create more than two show events at any given time. Horses may be shown in any state, regardless of residence, to qualify—participation is the key.

The qualifying period for the 2012 AjPHA Youth World Championship Show is from April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012. The qualifying period for the APHA Open & Amateur World Championship Show is from August 31, 2011 through July 31, 2012. Qualifying is not required for the APHA’s 2011 World Championship Show series.

Additional questions about the participation-based World Show qualifying can be directed to the APHA Performance Department at (817) 834-2742, extension 773.

Thank you for your support and patronage!

Pete Fulgham
Nancy Havens
517 Reed Drive
Cleveland, MS 38732
855-366-8822

www.equinemegaomega.com

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) announces an innovative five-year sponsorship agreement with The Southern Belle Invitation program. This sponsorship allows The Southern Belle to run their Breeders’ Classes concurrently during the APHA Open/Amateur World Championship Shows scheduled for November 3-12, 201.

The Southern Belle Invitation Breeders’ Classes are open to the offspring of stallions enrolled in The Southern Belle Breeders’ program and will be held as a class within a class with regularly-scheduled APHA World Show classes. A separate entry fee from the APHA World Show class entry fee is required with 80% of the purse money paid to the Southern Belle Invitation Breeders’ Class participants placing in the top 10 and 20% of the purse money paid to the Breeders’ Class breeders. The classes are also dual-approved with the National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA).

“The whole purpose of adding Southern Belle Breeders’ Classes to the World Show is really for the breeders to be able to promote their stallions through their offspring,” said Chris Cecil-Darnell, Show Secretary for The Southern Belle. “We currently have 22 Paint stallions in our program.

Through offering these classes (at the APHA World Championship Show) we expect to see this program grow. The Paint Horse breed portion of the market is relatively untapped by Southern Belle as well as NSBA.”

The Southern Belle Invitation program specializes in Western pleasure and hunter under saddle classes. The inclusive list of classes offered at the APHA Open/Amateur World Championship Show will be announced once finalized. Watch for more details regarding all aspects of the show at aphaworldshow.com.

More about The Southern Belle Invitation

For more information and a complete list of eligible stallions with The Southern Belle Invitation, please visit tsbelle.com or call (870) 926-5285.

More about APHA

Currently, American Paint Horses are being registered at APHA’s Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters at a rate of more than 30,000 horses each year. APHA has registered more than 981,000 horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded 49 years ago, and now serves approximately 85,000 active members around the world. APHA, a non-profit organization, prides itself on community involvement and educating the public about the beauty and talent of the breed. Among its many activities, APHA works to preserve bloodlines and maintain the outstanding characteristics of Paint Horses. For more information, visit the Association’s website at apha.com or call (817) 834-APHA (2742).

Congratulations to Amanda Ryan of Queensland, Australia on her purchase of "C-1," the very first Good Cowboy Margarita foal, an unnamed colt out of KCees Spreadin Rumorz owned by Lindsay Harrison of JLH Quarter Horses, Jamestown, Indiana.

Amanda was smitten with him from the moment she saw him in his debut video at 24 hours old.

Click here to view YouTuve video

Looking to import a stallion, she knew he was the one. "I wanted a colt that wouldn't restrict me to one breed as he could also be outcrossed on Paints, Appaloosas, etc. I also wanted a colt that would compliment my current bloodlines including Hot N Blazing, Zips Chocolate Chip, Open Range and Potential Investment. 'C-1' has that WOW factor about him. He is so balanced and slow legged with the added bonus of being super cute. I have seen first hand the quality of care, training and respect that Gollehons give to their horses. Even though we're on the other side of the world, it gives us great peace of mind knowing 'C-1' will be in their professional hands. He'll stay with Gollehons to be promoted in the US before shipping to Australia."

We're excited about this new venture. We know Amanda and "C-1" will have great success!

The Good Cowboy Margarita foals are arriving throughout the US and Canada. This is Cowboy's freshman foal crop and they look fantastic! Good Cowboy Margarita is an NSBA Horse of the Year with a show record a mile long. Read more about him at www.GoodCowboyMargarita.com. Watch for more baby photos and videos on Facebook.

Good Cowboy Margarita, LLC

Kathleen Trommer

Roger & Robin Gollehon

Roger Gollehon Managing Partner

Versailles, Kentucky

859-494-9491

www.Gollehon.com