During the AQHA Convention in Las Vegas, a group of past AJQHA (now AQHYA) members got together for a reunion—many long lost friends who haven’t seen each other in over 20 years! Las Vegas was the perfect setting to meet up with friends and also honor our long-time friend Peter J Cofrancesco III on his successful term as AQHA President.
“Such a great experience to get together with people you haven’t seen in 20 years and feel like no time has passed between you,” Margaret Sche (Schempf) who now works in the fashion industry and lives in Los Angeles told GoHorseShow. “The special part about our friendships is that we are from all different walks of life, different parts of the world, with different backgrounds and we unite together over our love of horses. The commonality of horses wipes away any differences we may have and focuses us on what’s important which is friendship and love. The friendships I have through AJQHA will be some of the strongest and most valuable in my life and this reunion reminded us all of that. We will definitely not let this much time pass by again without getting together and celebrating our friendships!”
Many former AJQHA exhibitors that attended the reunion include Carl Baldwin, Ashlee Donaldson, Travis Dobbs, Carmen Welker Cofrancesco, Dawn Schafer, Peter J Cofrancesco III, Kara Hannum Lewis, Jeanne Perlich White, Chad Falkenberg, Dawn Falcon Causey, McKenzie Merrill, Laura Gilmer, Kelley Watts Rampey, Jenny Jordan Frid, Laina McNelis Banks, Charlie Cole, Molly Kehoe Cherry, Erin Shapiro, Amy Rich, Josh Clagg, Courtney Dobbs Clagg, Sarah Shoemake, Margaret Sche (Schempf), and Susan Lightfoot.
“There was a huge group of us that showed and had fun together in the late ‘80s and early’90s, but I’m sure everyone would agree that one person stands out above the crowd. Of course, it was Peter J. Cofrancesco III,” says Jeanne Perlich White, who was instrumental in getting this reunion organized. “He was our AJQHA President in 1990 and always made sure everyone was included and having fun and making friends. I know his leadership, friendliness and hospitality changed my life and I’m sure many others felt the same.”
AQHA was very instrumental in helping coordinate the reunion events. The Association helped set up a reunion cocktail party on Friday night and a luncheon on Sunday that was well attended. However, the most fun was Saturday night when a group went to STK restaurant at the Cosmopolitan and then took a hummer limo to Caesar’s Palace to the renown nightclub called Pure. Dawn Falcon Causey was in charge of putting this event together where we had VIP treatment including bodyguards and a special cordoned off area for us to dance above the other club goers. Pure had private waitresses that catered to our every need including buckets of ice, alcohol, and mixers delivered right to our tables, so there was no waiting in line. It was a night to remember. The cowboys with their hats looked a little out of their element but they appeared to be good sports and have a good time. Thanks to Dawn for setting up this fun event.
“It was amazing seeing everyone,” White said. “Those that knew each other well 20 years ago picked right up like it was yesterday. And those that didn’t, maybe due to a few years age difference or showing different disciplines, just clicked. We all reminisced and caught up on the missed years together so easily and we laughed non-stop.”
White adds, “In catching up, it was just heart-warming to know that all our different paths the last 20 years could lead us back to this one place for a couple days and we’re all still basically the same…fun-loving, passionate, dedicated, good people. And that we attribute a great deal of who we are to our experiences with horses and the Association.”
Ashlee Donaldson, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, and works in real estate says that after a fantastic weekend of reconnecting friendships that started over 20 years ago, she couldn’t help but feel the same sad and empty feeling leaving Vegas similar to being a kid leaving the AJQHA World Show.
“You simply keep replaying the same fun memories you just shared with your friends and are looking forward to the next show or event when you will see them again. Thankfully, we have Facebook to help stay connected, and, of course, reconnecting at the convention in New Orleans in 2014!”
Click here to see pictures from the reunion events.
Click here to see a fun slideshow that Jeanne Perlich White put together from the good ole’ days. Gotta love the hair!
