Yearly Archives: 2011

All AQHA members are invited to attend the Marketing Forum during the 2011 AQHA Convention to discuss several important industry issues.

Members of the American Quarter Horse Association are invited to join industry leaders on Friday, March 4, for an informative Marketing Forum during the 2011 AQHA Convention in Grapevine, Texas. All AQHA members registered for Convention are invited.

Marketing Forum
Friday, March 4, 2-4:30 p.m., Gaylord Texan Hotel, Grapevine, Texas

• Emerging Markets -- What do Europe and South America hold for AQHA and other breeds? How can and does the government help? Mike Phillips, United States Livestock Genetics Export/USDA
• China -- The Final Frontier David Snodgrass, managing director of LTI Associates, China
• New Tax Laws for Horse Owners Jay Hickey, American Horse Council president
• By the Numbers -- What Will 2011-2012 Bring? Trent Taylor, AQHA treasurer, executive director of operations
• Medications and Thresholds Dr. Steven Schumacher, United States Equestrian Federation

This marketing forum is open to all interested AQHA members, who are registered for the Convention. The AQHA Convention is March 4-8 at the Gaylord Texan Hotel in Grapevine, Texas. In addition to the Marketing Forum, AQHA members are encouraged to attend the business meetings of AQHA’s 14 standing committees. Registered members are encouraged to comment on agenda items during the open committee meetings.

It's not too late to register for Convention. Register today by filling out the online registration form.

Learn more about the events taking place during this year's Convention, including special entertainment by country music singer Paul Bogart, farm tours, special tributes to our year-end award winners and American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame inductions.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information onThe American Quarter Horse Journal orAmerica’s Horse, visit AQHA Publications.

The American Royal Complex in Kansas City, Missouri, will be home for the 40^THAnniversary of the World Wide Paint Horse Congress, Thursday, July 28 – Sunday, July 31, 2011.

“We are excited to announce our partnership with the Missouri Paint Horse Club,“ stated KPHA President Casey West. “And, we couldn’t be more excited about this show being held at the American Royal. This prestigious facility offers a first class venue for our exhibitors.”

Per Missouri Paint Horse Club President, Butch Maxwell, “We began meeting and discussing this joint venture a year ago and are excited that it has become a reality. It’s an honor to be a part of this event. The Kansas City location has so much to offer in the way of restaurants, shopping and entertainment, not to mention a major airport and interstates. A most favorable feature of the Royal is air conditioning in both the arena and stalls.”

Kicking off the event will be a 4-Judge Youth & Amateur POR on Thursday followed by two 4-Judge PORs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The class schedule will stage performance for four judges on Friday, all eight judges handling halter classes on Saturday and the final four judges finishing their performance on Sunday.

“A bit of a new look will be our inclusion of the newly approved Amateur Walk Trot classes and Yearling In Hands Trail,” reported Show Manager Bryan Bergeson. “And for exhibitors seeking Zone points, all shows, Thursday through Sunday, are approved for Zone 5 points and the two four-judge shows, Friday through Sunday, are approved for Zone 3 points.”

On-going developments will be on www.kansaspainthorse.com,www.missouripainthorseclub.com and both MPHC and KPHA have Facebook pages. In addition, keep an eye out for our ad in the April PHJ. For immediate information, contact Congress Show Secretary Diane Gage, 316-772-5762 or e-mail [email protected].

GoHorseShow.com is saddened to report the passing of Slow N Fluid (Fred), a 1994 bay gelding who was by TNT Fluid Fred and out of Sleepy Ms Duro. Fred was most recently shown by the Chant Family of Abilene, Texas and before that, Renee Dirkse and her mother, Tamara of Rockwall, Texas.

”Steady Freddy” was a talented all around horse who amassed over 1300 AQHA points, several superiors and many Congress Top-Tens including winning the Western Riding one year with Ginger Chant and coming back the next year to tie to win the class. Fred was Reserve Champion 2 Year-Old Western Pleasure at the Congress and Top-3 in four different youth pleasure classes at the Congress. He was also sixth at the 2005 AQHA World Show in the Senior Western Riding. Past exhibitors include: Gillian Chant, Ginger Chant, Renee and Tamara Dirkse, Jamie Bissell, Stephen Stephens and Terry Cross of Riverside Ranch.

Stephen Stephens of Riverside Ranch fondly remembers Slow N Fluid when he had him in training for several years with two different clients. "What was so special about him was that he was a family horse. Anyone could ride him and be competitive. The father of the Chant girls showed him and won the Texas Champion of Champions with him in the Western Pleasure, the Chant girls were competitive in the regular and novice youth classes, and he placed in the Top-10 at the World Show in the Senior Western Riding. It is rare to find a horse that a whole family could ride and be competitive in all divisions."

Ginger Chant (pictured below left, photo by Shane Rux), who showed Fred to many youth wins said that, "Fred was an amazing horse. He definitely made me the rider I am today. He took care[NPI Float="left"]/Media/4/jpg/2011/1/9fa6ac5f-ba13-69c3-71ebbaea1494c9e1.jpg[/NPI]of me in the show pen, if I needed it, but he also taught me how to tell him exactly what I wanted. He would always give 110% in every class. He would forgive me for my mistakes, and never hold a grudge. Fred is the reason I love western riding and hope to do it with my current horse. Without Fred, I wouldn't be where I am today, and for that I am forever grateful--RIP."

According to former owner Renee Dirkse, Fred was the complete package: looks, movement, and mind. "He was known in the show pen for his consistency and beautiful lope but what made Fred so special was not his talent but his heart. I could trust him with anything, even my mom," Renee recalls. "I remember one time in the horsemanship I walked up to the cone and was suppose to turn right. Fred starts to turn right and I stop him and turn left. My mom and I had a saying after that show, 'when in doubt, trust your horse!'"

[NPI Float="right"]/Media/4/jpg/2011/1/9fa8be44-ca87-394a-1ed9a3f176a8042a.jpg[/NPI]When Renee went away for college, her mother, Tamara Dirkse, showed Fred to a Top-10 in the Rookie of the Year. "Fred was just the best horse ever," Tamara said. "He was so well liked at the horse shows, and people were just drawn to him. He was so darn cute at 15 hands, but he had a big horse mentality. He did so much for everyone who ever owned him. He was a champion, and he made everyone involved with him a champion. He may have been little in stature but he had a big personality and a big big heart."

Tamara also recalls Fred being somewhat grumpy on the ground and when they put the saddle on him. "He was so funny. If someone didn't know him, they would have probably been scared to death of him, but I always told my daughter that we would let him think he is a bully until he really acts like one---but he never acted on it."

Fred made showing horses fun, Renee remembers. "He made you work hard enough to earn his respect but loved his job--especially the western riding and western pleasure classes. Growing up with Fred gave me such confidence. This horse had such a huge impact on my life because during the rough high school years he was my shoulder to cry on, my best friend, and teacher."

When Renee was sad or unconfident, she mentions that she would pet his ears (his favorite) and he would look at her with his sweet puppy dog eyes and melt her heart.

[NPI Float="left"]/Media/4/jpg/2011/1/9fa82a32-d0ab-ca59-7d70d9fed15c44cf.jpg[/NPI]"Steady Freddy and I shared so many memorable high and lows: winning circuit championships; learning western riding together; the first time I qualified for the Youth World; finding out I got into Texas A&M; when my granddad died; truly great rides; breakups; winning the Varsity Equestrian National Championships; and all the life long memories made traveling the country with my family and Riverside Ranch."

Renee says that she has thought about him every day since she sold him in 2007, and she knows there will not be a day in the future where he won't cross her mind. "I am so thankful to have owned this horse and forever grateful to God, my parents, Stephen Stephens, and Terry Cross for putting this special, beautiful, perfect animal in my life.”

Join DeGraff Stables, Inc. in support of our selected charity for January 2011! We have chosen the Black Stallion Literacy Foundation for January’s donation, as this non-profit organization helps children discover the joys of reading and the excitement of learning through the wonders of live horses and Walter Farley's Black Stallion books... we thought… what better way to grow our equine horse business for future generations than to help children learn to read and at the same time… to love horses?

We realize that mare owners have many fantastic choices when it comes to selecting a pleasure horse stallion for crossing on their mare. If your plans include one of the stallions from our extra-ordinary line-up of Champion Quarter Horses, Paints or Warmblood stallion, for 2011 and you are successful in obtaining an available futurity/donated breeding to one of them, DeGraff Stables, Inc. will donate half of your booking fee to The Black Stallion Literacy Foundation for those bookings made in January! You will not only be supporting the futurity of your choice and resulting offspring, you will be providing enjoyment and education to youngsters! More information may be found at: http://www.bslf-online.org/

To participate in the DeGraff Stables, Inc. Charity Program, find a list of eligible futurities for our world-class stallion line-up including: DGS IndyGo, DGS Vestastic, Frosty the Goodbar (AQHA/ARHA), HBF Iron Man (AQHA/APHA), Hes A Cool Hotrod (AQHA/APHA), Hot Lopin Sensation (APHA), Indian Artifacts (AQHA/AWR) and MDR Impulsive (AQHA/APHA) on our website at www.DeGraffStables.com , make your selection and contact us to reserve your breeding of choice.

For updated stallion photo albums and offspring show results updates, check out our new Facebook pages!

Visit Us On Facebook: DeGraff Stables, Indian Artifacts, HBF Iron Man, DGS IndyGo DGS Vestastic, Frosty The Goodbar, Hesa Cool Hotrod, Hot Lopin Sensation, MDR Impulsive

We are thrilled to report, that in December, DeGraff Stables donated a portion of each stallion’s futurity booking to the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. The Jimmy V Foundation was selected as the V Foundation takes great pride in its fiscal responsibility and is proud to announce that it gives 100 percent of all new direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs. Administrative and fundraising expenses are paid by their endowments. I had chosen cancer research in admiration of my best friend whom has been fighting colon cancer for five years now. And, I am sure that most everyone has close friends or family whose lives have been touched by this debilitating disease. My hope is that by supporting research, someday, a cure may be found. We would like to thank everyone whom took advantage of booking a futurity in December and helped to support this exceptional organization. In fact, one person, in honor of his wife whom was lost to cancer actually matched our donation. Bless you! More information regarding The Jimmy V Foundation may be found at: http://www.jimmyv.org/

Thanks again, and if you have any questions, please call us at the office or I may be reached by cell phone!

Robin DeGraff

During the 80's, Charlie Cole and Jason Martin were part of a group of top California youth exhibitors who grew up and showed together including Molly Kehoe Cherry, Jill Gomes Newcomb, Amy Scanlan Lund, and Shelli Ries. What is interesting is that this group is still involved in the horse industry as trainers and amateur competitors.

After extensive research and consideration the Executive Committee of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) has announced that the dates for future APHA World Championship Shows will remain in the current summer and fall timeframe.

Gumz Farms proudly announces the newest additions to their INTERNATIONAL Breeding Lineup - A SCENIC IMPULSE, HUNTIN FOR CHOCOLATE and THESE IRONS ARE HOT!

These three Stallions join ABSOLUTE INVESTMENT, CERTAIN POTENTIAL, IRON AGE, NO DOUBT IM LAZY and ONLY IN THE MOONLITE in offering Frozen Semen in Germany or Austria and Australia available through Brokers and Gumz Farms direct. Please email us at info@gumzfarms or visit our website at www.GumzFarms.com./international.html for additional information.

Also, Gumz Farms would like to thank Iris Oplusstil of Rose Valley Performance Horses as she paid the fees to enroll her 2011 foal into the DQHA from her breeding to NO DOUBT IM LAZY in 2010. Therefore, anyone who bred to ABSOLUTE INVESTMENT, CERTAIN POTENTIAL, IRON AGE and ONLY IN THE MOONLITE in 2010 will have 2011 foals that are eligible for the DQHA program!

FORT WORTH, Texas – The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) recently entered into a partnership with the World Conformation Horse Association (WCHA). The associations agreed to recognize points earned by Paint Horses at each other’s events for a horse’s performance record as well as World Champion, Reserve World Champion, futurity champion and reserve champion titles. Top 10 finishes will be recognized as well. They will also work toward holding joint educational judging seminars.

Members of both associations will benefit from more complete show and performance records for their American Paint Horses, thus increasing the value of their horses and the investment into their horse business.

This agreement formally solidifies the relationship between the two associations, with APHA as the center of promotion and record keeping for the American Paint Horse breed and WCHA as the industry authority on correct conformation regardless of the horse’s discipline.

“This partnership comes at a critical point when all equine associations are looking for new ways to add value for their members and the horses in their registry,” said Lex Smurthwaite, Executive Director of APHA. “This collaboration helps both WCHA and APHA enhance the horse industry as a whole.”

By combining APHA’s continued work to preserve the American Paint Horse lineage, performance records and characteristics with WCHA’s intent to retain a high level of conformational correctness, the alliance will further the goals of both associations as well as working together for a better future for the horse industry.

Another component of this agreement is a shared goal to promote the two associations through a series of advertisements and logo usage during events and event promotions.

The World Conformation Horse Association, based in Guthrie, Okla., was formed in 2007. To find out more about the WCHA, see www.conformationhorse.com or call (405) 282-8142.

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).

The Iowa Quarter Horse Association has announced the much talked about Breeders Cup Halter Futurity and the new World Conformation Horse Association (WCHA) Halter Futurity have both joined with the Iowa Quarter Horse Association’s Futurity Extravaganza, slated for September 22-25, 2011 in Des Moines, Iowa. The addition of these new halter futurities enhances one of the most successful state breed futurities in the country today.

The Iowa Quarter Horse Association welcomes the new Breeders Cup Futurity to their Extravaganza, offering 4 classes in this first year for foals by the stallions enrolled in their program. In addition to the Breeders Cup, the WCHA has begun a new futurity and saw the opportunity for them to also join the established IQHA futurity. WCHA will offer 5 classes at the 2011 show.

“We look for this to be a win-win-win for the three groups,” said IQHA President Bill Horton. “I see this as a destination show, with the potential of entering several futurities held together in one central location. IQHA is pleased to be the host of these exciting new futurities and their opportunities for our industry. “

The Iowa Quarter Horse Association’s first weanling halter futurity was held in 1960. The performance futurity was added in 1967, with western pleasure and reining. In 1974, the association held its first Breeders Stallion Auction that included divisions for both halter and racing stallions, with the first futurity held the following year. In the late 1980’s, the Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association was formed and they began operating their own futurity program. The IQHA Futurity Extravaganza has topped the Equi-Stat charts for several consecutive years, with their Breeders, Open and Non Pro Futurity. The AQHA affiliate marks their 60th anniversary in 2011.

The 2011 IQHA Breeders Futurity Stallion Auction will be held Sunday, January 16 in Des Moines. Currently 129 stallions have been enrolled for this closed futurity. Phone-in bids may be placed with prior arrangements. The IQHA Open and Non Pro Futurity is open for entries, with a single payment schedule available until September. Entries postmarked by February 1 can enter any open or non pro futurity class for just $75.

For further information visit www.iowaquarterhorse.com or call the association office at 641-343-7252.