Yearly Archives: 2011

Tom Brannon Benefit

DATE: February 5th, 2011, Dinner: 6pm Live Auction: 7pm

Benefit Location: Knights of Columbus

555 S Taft Avenue

Mason City, Iowa 50401

[NPI Float="left"]/Media/2/jpg/2011/1/debe2c14-e04d-bd04-779babd4168544ca.jpg[/NPI]About Tom Brannon: This man has made his life's passion by buying, selling, and training horses all over the US. Tom has been diagnosed with a brain tumor which is found to be inoperable and a very rapid growing tumor. He is going through very aggressive treatments, with the hopes of slowing down the growth of the tumor. Tom does not have insurance and needs financial assistance. If you cannot attend his benefit but wish to make a donation to cover medical expenses, please send donation to:

Lincoln Savings Bank

c/- Tom Brannon Benefit

P.O. Box G

Green, Iowa

50636

For more information please email: [email protected]

FORT WORTH, Texas – On Saturday, January 22, in Lexington, Ky., the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announced the winner of their Horse of the Year award—the organization’s highest honor. The award was given to American Paint Horse Colonels Nite Special, the only multiple gold medal-winning horse for Team USA at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, held September 25 through October 10 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

This 6-year-old reining superstar helped Team USA win the team gold medal by the largest margin in history, then returned to win the individual gold medal. The other four horses in contention for the Horse of the Year award were the elite of their breeds, dominating their disciplines as well.

Colonels Nite Special (registered AQHA as Gunners Special Nite) is owned by Sarah Willeman of Turnabout Farm in Gloucester, Ma., and was ridden by Tom McCutcheon of Aubrey, Texas. Willeman purchased the horse shortly before the July 2010 selection trials for the World Equestrian Games. The young stallion was ridden by McCutcheon in the selection trials in July 2010 and was named the Reserve USEF National Champion and runner-up in the trials.

“I never imagined I would be the owner of a horse that received this. It’s incredible, “ said Willeman. “Reining is a relatively younger sport in the scope of the USEF. It’s just so great to see a reining horse get this kind of recognition.”

During the four days of NBC’s reining coverage at the World Equestrian Games, Colonels Nite Special and McCutcheon demonstrated reining to a worldwide audience.

In a fitting tribute to this exceptional team, rider Tom McCutcheon was named the 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year. McCutcheon has piloted many horses to big wins in reining competition, culminating in the two gold medals at the World Equestrian Games.

“It takes reining to a whole new audience and to a new level,” McCutcheon said about winning the award along with Colonels Nite Special. “And to know that we’re accepted at that level in the international scene with the USEF. To know that we’re accepted by them is great—it hasn’t always been that way.”

McCutcheon has competed at the World Equestrian Games and other FEI competitions in Germany, Italy and Spain since 2002, earning gold and silver medals for Team USA. He has served on the USEF Board of Directors since 2005, serving as a proponent of reining in international competition.

The USEF Horse of the Year award is the top equine honor across the span of equine breeds and equestrian disciplines governed by the USEF. To find out more about USEF and the Horse and Equestrian of the Year awards, please go to usef.org.

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).

It was an experience and so much more.

It might be called the AQHA Region Three Championship, but it is so much more than that: It is an experience that you will never forget!

Click on the link to read the full story straight from the experiences of exhibitor Tina Bothum from the American Quarter Horse Journal

The first Latin America Summit was held in Panama in December with positive outcomes.

Building the breed, increasing membership numbers and offering more racing and showing opportunities for American Quarter Horses were the three main objectives that came out of the first-ever American Quarter Horse Association Latin America Summit in December in Panama.
Nine Latin America international affiliates were present from Argentina, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela and Costa Rica, which just recently filed to become an affiliate. The summit allowed these countries to present their concerns and questions to AQHA and enabled AQHA to develop a plan to address the unique situations that are encountered on a country by country basis.

AQHA’s Latin America plan is to:

• Provide judging workshops to encourage an increase in AQHA-approved judges in Latin America
• Develop plans to increase the number of shows and races in Latin America
• Investigate the possibility of a Latin America championship
• Expand breeding
• Streamline the registration process for eligible American Quarter Horses in Latin America

Having a Summit allows AQHA to make the Association’s goals clear to the international countries, says Tom Persechino, AQHA executive director of competition and breed integrity, who attended the summit. Increasing American Quarter Horse ownership, members, activities, youth involvement and discussing the ways AQHA can assist other countries are the major goals of the summit.

“AQHA is here for every country and recognizes the need, especially today, to be flexible and adaptable. We also need for international affiliates to compromise on some issues in order to move things through the system. It’s about taking…and giving.” said AQHA President Johannes Orgeldinger, who is the first international AQHA president. Orgeldinger is from Germany.

AQHA has more than 35 international affiliates with American Quarter Horses in 91 countries, totaling more than 5 million horses.

At the end of the Summit, it was decided to conduct an AQHA Latin America Summit every other year. International elected district directors, along with international affiliate directors from these regions, will be required to attend. These summits will address concerns specific to the region and help implement programs that will continue to expand the breed internationally.

The Latin America Summit was held nearly a year after the European Summit, which was in January 2010 in Germany. The Latin American Summit was funded in part by the American Quarter Horse License Plate Grant Program as administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

GoHorseShow.com is sad to report the recent passing of Reserve World Champion pleasure mare, Gypsys Little Image, who was owned by Henry and Donna Rosciti of North Scituate, Rhode Island.

This Sunday, January 30, 2011 is the annual Gallops Charity Stallion Services Auction.This annual auction kicks off it's 28th year at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino Pavilion in Spokane, WA. You need not be present to take part in the bidding!

Blazing Hot, VS Code Red, Don't Skip Zip, Hot Ones Only, Kids Classic Style, Lena Spark, The Power To Impress, Third Cutting, and Fleet Machine are a list of some of the outstanding Quarter Horse and Paint stallions that are participating in Gallops 2011 Annual Charity Stallion Services Auction.

The event blends the complementary beauty of horses and children in one uniquely choreographed day. Gallop benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane, Washington ... helping families in crisis who are traveling to be near their child in the hospital. Check out our website for stallion participation at: www.gallopauction.com!

In the lineup are some of the finest stallions in the world, including champions of the Paint and Quarter Horse breeds. Over (50) stallion services with standing fees ranging from $500 to $6,500 are being offered by owners with the compassion to help the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Live streaming from the event to the Internet will be available. This Sunday, at 11:00 AM (PST), a toll free number will be posted on the Gallop Website, allowing you to bid from your computer & phone regardless of where you are located in the U.S.

For those spectators attending ... the many artful touches for which the auction is famous will create the gala atmosphere that signifies the Gallop Event.

[NPI Float="left"]/Media/0/jpg/2011/1/cfe725e5-ce71-f52f-396ee4e2b1c7f5bb.jpg[/NPI]Several 'non-service' auctioned items will additionally be auctioned off. Like an all-inclusive five-star vacation package at the Resort at Paws Up, a Key West, Disneyland, Caribbean Cruise, and New York getaway,a white water rafting trip; a Hells Canyon jet boat cruise; a rare Trail of the Painted Ponies Package, signed and numbered ponies by the original artist that painted them; a Valentines show package from Wood's Western that includes a Kathy's Show Halter, Robinhood, art prints, and much more!

There's something for everyone! For more information contact: Barbara Turner at (509) 990-4167, email:[email protected], or check out the website at:www.gallopauction.com.

The American Quarter Horse Journal -- The American Quarter Horse Association offers two paid internships in spring, summer and fall: the Brown Printing Company AQHA Publications Internship and the A.H. ‘Bud’ Ferber Marketing Internship.

The summer internship deadline is quickly approaching on March 15.

With the evolution of AQHA's Internet and social media publishing projects, the duties of the Publications Intern include managing AQHA's online and digital content. The content on the America's Horse Daily website and in the daily e-newsletters, is now the primary responsibility of the Brown Printing Co. intern. The publications intern also assists with social media efforts and AQHA event coverage.

The Marketing Intern assists with implementing AQHA’s various promotions, advertising and marketing programs. AQHA’s Marketing and Communications programs reach into all aspects of the horse industry, regardless of discipline. Qualified candidates will be challenged to write press releases about the American Quarter Horse and related activities and develop relationships with media professionals, agencies and industry leaders.

If you are a current or recent college student and wish to apply for the summer Brown Printing Co. AQHA Publications Internship or A.H. “Bud” Ferber Marketing Internship, please visit the Internship Opportunities page for more information on how to apply.

The American Quarter Horse Journal-- The time has come to nominate individuals who support our industry’s youth to receive the Merle Wood Humanitarian Award. After taking a year break, to slightly revamp the award, the American Quarter Horse Foundation is seeking individuals who exemplify an ethic of meritorious kindness and benevolence in providing opportunities for all young people to be involved with the American Quarter Horse. Applications for nominations are due May 1, 2011.

The Merle Wood Humanitarian Award will be presented to an individual whose outstanding voluntary service has been marked by actions or deeds that have enabled young people to experience positive opportunities and/or activities involving the American Quarter Horse. A multitude of service will be considered and is not restricted to any one type of action or deed involving youth.

Nominees must distinguish themselves through non-compensated humanitarian endeavors. The award is not designed to honor individuals who have supported youth activities primarily through financial contributions. Previous recipients and Hall of Fame inductees are not eligible to receive this award. Awards and achievements received through industry show and/or racing competition are not a factor in the selection process.

To nominate someone for this award, please visit the Merle Wood Humanitarian Award page to learn more and download the application.

The award is presented during the annual AQHA Convention’s Hall of Fame Banquet. Due to recent revisions to the award program, a recipient will not be awarded during the 2011 Convention.

For more information, please contact (806) 378-5029 or [email protected]. Completed applications can be mailed to (no faxes please):

American Quarter Horse Foundation
Merle Wood Humanitarian Award
2601 East Interstate 40
Amarillo, TX 79104

It is foaling season and time for the arrival of some gorgeous babies sired by some of the top stallions in our industry. GoHorseShow.com thought that it would be fun to compile some of the new baby pictures and share them with our readers. Enjoy!

AQHA is trying to find different ways to increase membership and participation at the quarter horse shows across the country. One proposal that AQHA is considering is adding a separate Novice Championship Show starting in 2012 to get more new exhibitors a chance to compete at a major show during the year. Find out what some people in the industry think about this idea. Also, let us know what you think!

The Rutgers Equine Science Center has named Peter J. Cofrancesco III as the 2011 recipient of the center’s annual Spirit of the Horse Award. Cofrancesco will receive the award during the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s 54th annual New Jersey Breeder’s Award ceremony on Sunday, January 30. Sandy Denarski, the 2006 inaugural recipient and chairwoman of the Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement, and Center Director Karyn Malinowski will present the award.

The Spirit of the Horse Award recognizes individuals whose lives have been profoundly changed because of their involvement with horses and who have acknowledged the impact by giving back to the horse industry.

“Peter Cofrancesco’s life has been changed by his passion for horses,” said Malinowski. “Peter is a city kid from Paterson who, because of his commitment to excellence in support of the equine industry, has had an inconceivable, meteoric rise up the corporate ladder within the largest equine breed organization in the world, the American Quarter Horse Association. It is unfathomable that a person of such a young age and from a non-western state such as New Jersey could be AQHA’s next president! The Rutgers Equine Science Center is honored to present the Spirit of the Horse Award to Mr. Cofrancesco; his accomplishments are astounding.”

Cofrancesco has served within AQHA for almost 20 years. His involvement with AQHA began in the late 1980s when he was elected as an officer of the American Junior Quarter Horse Association (now the American Quarter Horse Youth Association). He was AJQHA president in 1991. Cofrancesco continued his upward climb through the ranks when he was elected to the AQHA Executive Committee in 2008.

“I firmly believe that Peter exemplifies what is truly remarkable about the equine industry,” added Malinowski. “Those who have the pleasure to ride or work with horses have an ingrained desire to serve the animal in any way possible; which is what often leads to life-long careers championing the care, health and well-being of the beloved animal.”

Rutgers Equine Science Center is a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The center’s mission is better horse care through research and education to advance the well-being and performance of horses and the equine industry. Its vision is to be recognized throughout New Jersey as well as nationally and internationally for its achievements in identifying issues in the horse industry, finding solutions through science-based inquiry, providing answers to the horse industry and to horse owners, and influencing public policy to ensure the viability of the horse industry. For more information about the Equine Science Center, call (732) 932-9419.