Sudden Scoop

Prevent unwanted horses by gelding your stallion or by providing the event at which other horse owners can get their stallions gelded. The Unwanted Horse Coalition's Operation Gelding will provide funds and materials to assist organizations, associations and events that sponsor clinics to which horse owners can bring their stallions to be castrated. The castration of a stallion will help prevent overbreeding and produce a gentler horse that is more rideable, more trainable and more saleable, allowing them to be used in several careers. Programs such as Operation Gelding can help reduce the number of horses being bred and aid in the adoption or sale of more horses.

This initiative is made possible by a special gift from the American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation and UHC; both organizations have donated seed money to get the program started. Operation Gelding is patterned after several initiatives undertaken by equine associations, organizations and events around the country.

UHC will provide information and forms necessary to conduct a clinic, along with seed money to defray the costs. Funds of $50 per horse gelded, with a $1,000 maximum will be awarded to individual groups once a year. Assistance will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, subject to available resources. Organizations can apply by filling out the Operation Gelding Funding Form provided by UHC. Funding will be awarded once the clinic is complete and a veterinary statement is provided.

Any organization, association or event can participate in Operation Gelding. There are many ways that your organization can help with unwanted horses. Please review UHC's handbook, "Best Practices: How Your Organization Can Help Unwanted Horses,"which outlines other activities that organizations, associations and events can undertake to create programs that help horses in need. "Best Practices"cites many examples of how organizations and groups can get involved, including gelding clinics.

The GoHorseShow.com classifieds are FREE to all of our readers and is a very effective way to market and sell high quality horses.

The most recent addition to the classifieds section is the dam of World Champion No Doubt Im Lazy. No Doubt Im Magic is a beautiful 1998 brown mare who is open for you to breed to in 2011.

You can click here to see this listing as well as all the other horses in the GoHorseShow.com classifieds. We encourage everyone to utilize this free tool.

Blind Routine and Rotational Deworming Falls Short 

DULUTH, Ga. — August 2010 —Bluntly challenging more than four decades of conventional wisdom, Merial today announced a new equine educational campaign urging horse owners to stop arbitrarily utilizing year-round or rotational deworming programs.

Instead, horse owners and veterinarians should collaborate to apply the dwindling supply of effective deworming products more strategically – and more effectively.

“Multiple studies from across the country have shown entire classes of dewormers are no longer working against small strongyles,” said Frank Hurtig, DVM, MBA, director for Merial’s Large Animal Veterinary Services. “Most horse owners think they have been doing the right thing to fight resistance by using a daily product or rotating dewormers. But indications are strong that these practices may contribute to resistance.

“After four decades of little or no progress, it’s time for the industry to rethink daily deworming and dewormer rotation,” says Dr. Hurtig.

Horse owners should stop routinely deworming based on the calendar, tradition, peer recommendations or dewormer sale price, advises Merial’s new “Greetings, Human” educational campaign. They should instead seek out a knowledgeable equine veterinarian to help them develop long-term, effective deworming protocols based on monitoring and management.

"Our educational campaign humorously recognizes that if worms could talk, they’d in fact be telling us to keep on doing exactly what we’ve been doing for decades,” says Dr. Hurtig. “In the long run, unfortunately, it’s actually better for the worms if horse owners continue to deworm the way most have been. The last thing a resistant small strongyle would want is for us to become more strategic in deworming.”

Strategic guidance from knowledgeable veterinarians is the critical missing link preventing too many farms from effectively managing their parasite populations,⁶ he says. “There are about 50 species of small strongyles that can infectgrazing horses.⁸ Eliminating all worms from all horses and pastures on a farm is a futile goal. A much more worthy target is to maintain a low level of parasites on a farm with a large proportion of those parasites being highly susceptible to the dewormer(s) being used – an approach also known as refugia. It is important to remember most of the parasites are on the pasture and about 20 percent of the horses on a farm put out about 80 percent of the worm eggs to contaminate those pastures. Working with your veterinarian to identify these “high shedders” and then tailoring your deworming to target these horses with more effective products, while reducing treatments of the remaining horses, is the best approach to obtaining optimum worm control on your farm.”

This approach can be a significant departure from what drug companies, scientists and veterinarians have counseled in the past – urging horse owners to use daily dewormers or rotate deworming compounds from different classes based on a set calendar schedule. With new data, better understanding of products and how they work, and increasing evidence of parasite resistance, many in the equine industry are changing their approach to equine deworming.

He proposes that horse owners adopt refugia as a new goal for parasite control on their farms. All the other reasons for which we use dewormers will become immaterial if this goal isnot achieved. This means we must become better stewards to preserve the effectiveness of current products. Prudent use of deworming compounds requires us to be more targeted, more strategic and more judicious. Our job now is to keep the effective dewormers as effective as possible for as long as possible. Daily deworming and continual rotation will not do that.

“Think about it this way: You would never randomly use an antibiotic to blindly treat an undiagnosed and inapparent infection,” Dr.Hurtig says. “This practice wastes time and money, and it increases the risk for developing resistant pathogens. The same attitude must now be brought to bear against increasingly resistant parasites in dewormer selection.”

Dr. Hurtig suggests horse owners ask their equine veterinarian about a targeted testing, treatment and management program for their operation, or go to www.zimecterin.comfor more information about parasite resistance (see the parasite resistance tab on the home page) and Merial’s new “Greetings, Human” educational campaign.

About ZIMECTERIN GOLD

ZIMECTERIN Gold combines ivermectin, a leading ingredient that controls a wide variety ofparasites, with praziquantel, an ingredient that specifically controls tapeworms. Together, they provide excellent equine parasite control. ZIMECTERIN Gold is approved to control more species and stages of equine parasites than any other brand, includingbenzimidazole-resistant small strongyles. It controls 47 species and stages of equine parasites in all.

Plus, ZIMECTERIN Gold was the first dewormer approved by the FDA to effectively controltapeworms* with a single dose. Tapeworms have been recognized as a significant threat to the health of horses.

About MERIAL

Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 5,700 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2009 sales were $2.6 billion. Merial is the Animal Health subsidiary of sanofi-aventis.

August 25, 2010--PHBA has adopted a new horse registration system that will improve turnaround and processing times for members and Palomino owners.

This new system will provide PHBA members a faster and more convenient way to register horses, at a cost savings for the association. PHBA maintains records on more than 88,000 horses and owners, more than 250,000 horse show entries and more than five hundred horse shows. This system will provide unprecedented customer service for these members.

Access the new registration system through the PHBA website.

Palomino horses registered with the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, American Holsteiner Horse Association, Pinto Horse Association of America, Appaloosa Horse Club, Jockey Club (Thoroughbreds), American Saddle Horses, Arabians, Half Arabs, Morgans, Tennessee Walking Horses, Mountain Pleasure Horses, Morabs, Quarabs, Missouri Fox Trotters and Rocky Mountain Horses are eligible for registration with PHBA provided the horse meets color and white rules.

PHBA’s Mission Statement:

To record and preserve the pedigree of the Palomino Horse while maintaining the integrity of the breeds.

To provide beneficial services for its members which enhance and encourage Palomino ownership and participation.

To generate growth of PHBA membership via the marketing, promotion, advertising and publicity of the Palomino Horse.

PHBA is an AQHA strategic marketing alliance partner.

On August 11, AQHA Past President suffered a stroke. Late last week, Don was released to the San Pedro hospital physical therapy unit. Don has shown improvement in his speech and has limited movement in his right arm and leg.

Send your cards/notes to Don and Ardys at 79 Narcissa Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275-5952.

On August 20, the Michigan Department of Community Health confirmed two human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Kalamazoo County. A 61-year-old man is recovering from the illness while a 41-year-old man is in intensive care in a Kalamazoo County hospital.Both human cases have a history of local exposure to mosquitoes. These are the first human cases reported in Michigan since 2002. No further details about the two cases are being released.

A virus of birds that is spread by mosquitoes, EEE is a rare illness in humans, according to an MDCH press release. Only a few human cases are reported each year in the United States. People who become ill with EEE experience fever, headache, chills and nausea. In some cases, symptoms may progress to inflammation of the brain, signaled by disorientation, seizures and coma.

EEE is spread by mosquitoes and causes inflammation of the horses' brains and leads to death in up to 90 percent of the cases, according to MDCH. People cannot get the disease from horses, only from mosquitoes. There is a vaccination available to aid in prevention of the disease in horses.

Clinical signs in horses include: depression, fever, weakness, sweating, dehydration, seizures, abnormal facial expressions, not feeding, head down, stumbling, blindness and circling. Often, the horse is down and unable to get up.

"The majority of the 2010 affected Michigan horses were not currently vaccinated against EEE," said Dr. Steven Halstead, Michigan state veterinarian. "It is not too late to vaccinate horses against this deadly virus."

EEE is a reportable disease that also affects poultry such as chickens and emus. Veterinarians are required by law to report cases of EEE. Livestock owners are also encouraged to report cases.

"We encourage diagnostic testing because EEE can look like rabies and although rabies is not common in horses, it is fatal and is contagious from horses to people," Dr. Halstead said.

The MDCH and the Michigan Department of Agriculture are continuing to receive reports of cases of EEE in horses in Southwest Michigan, including Barry, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties. EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S., killing one third of those hospitalized with the infection, and often leaving survivors with lasting brain damage.

In addition to the human cases, 18 horses have tested positive for the virus, and MDA has received more than 50 additional reports of horse deaths.

The southwestern region of the state has experienced outbreaks of this mosquito-borne disease in the past with the most recent outbreaks occurring in the early 1980's and mid-1990's. Mosquito-borne illness will continue to be a risk in Michigan until late fall when nighttime temperatures fall below freezing.

Communities and land owners in high-risk areas may consider the targeted application of insecticides to reduce the number of biting mosquitoes. The Michigan Mosquito Control Association maintains a list of licensed mosquito control applicators on its website at www.mimosq.org.

Steps you should take to protect yourself include:

• Use repellent: When outdoors, use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin and/or clothing. The repellent/insecticide permethrin can be used on clothing to protect through several washes. Always follow the directions on the product label.
• Stay indoors when mosquitoes are biting: Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn.
• Wear protective clothing: Wear long sleeves and pants when weather permits.
• Install and repair screens: Have secure, intact screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Keep mosquitoes from laying eggs near you: Mosquitoes can lay eggs even in small amounts of standing water. Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets, barrels and tires. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Empty children's wading pools and store on their side after use.

For more information on the human health impact of EEE, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's EEE website at http://www.cdc.gov/easternequineencephalitis/. For updates on equine and human cases of EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases in Michigan, visit the Emerging Diseases website at http://www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.

Animal Wellness Products, LLC the manufacturers of the already popular supplement EquineMegaOmega is excited to announce they have filed United States and international patent applications for their new product EMO Anhidrosis Formula. This new cell cleansing and repairing formula has been a very effective treatment for horses suffering from anhidrosis. Recent studies have shown that most horses will resume sweating within 48 hours.

Animal Wellness Products, LLC has also filed a United States and international patent on another new formula, EMO High Stress (EMO HS). This product was formulated for horses in high stress conditions, working or performance horses that are in training, being hauled or who are experiencing change in environment and diet.

These two new additions to Animal Wellness Products, LLC line of all natural products are certain to improve your horse’s health and therefore his performance as well.

For more information please go to www.equinemegaomega.com.

The American Quarter Horse Journal, August 20, 2010 -- Exhibitors competing at the 2010 Adequan Select World Championship Show August 29 - September 4 in Amarillo, Texas, will have the chance to earn extra cash this year. In a nutshell, here’s how:

• The AQHA all-around award has a new sponsor and some big cash prizes
• The addition of an all-new AQHA Incentive Fund Bonus
• 2009 foals not nominated to the Incentive Fund? Stallions miss a year? Check out our special!
• Don’t worry; we haven’t forgotten AQHA World Show exhibitors!

Read on for details.

SERIOUS CASH
This year, Farnam is taking title sponsorship of the prestigious AQHA all-around award, and with the company’s name comes some serious cash for those vying for the title. The 2010 Farnam All-Around Amateur at the Adequan Select World will earn $10,000 cash plus $1,000 in Farnam product and a WeatherBeetablanket. The reserve Farnam All-Around at the Adequan Select World will be awarded $2,500 cash plus $500 in Farnam product; and third- through fifth-place finishers each will receive $1,000 cash plus $250 in Farnam product.

"We are honored to be the title sponsor for awards presented to exhibitors and horses that exemplify the versatility of the American Quarter Horse," said Chris Jacobi, Farnam senior vice president for equine products. "And if along the way, we can raise awareness of the importance of horse care, then it makes it that much better."

To be eligible to compete for the Farnam All-Around Award, an amateur must enter and show one horse in a minimum of three events in two categories at the Adequan Select World. For complete rules, please refer to the 2010 Adequan Select World Championship Show Handbook

MORE REASONS TO RIDE AQHA INCENTIVE FUND HORSES
In addition to the lucrative Farnam All-Around Award, exhibitors of AQHA Incentive Fund-enrolled horses could earn some extra cash. In each Adequan Select World finals class, AQHA will recognize one Incentive Fund-enrolled horse with a $500 bonus. There’s nothing to do other than show up, make the finals and wait to see if your Incentive Fund-enrolled horse’s name is drawn. If so, you’ll receive $500 – it’s that easy.

The AQHA Incentive Fund,a multimillion-dollar program that started in 1984, pays people for showing their American Quarter Horses. The Incentive Fund payments are based on the most familiar and proven concept in the American Quarter Horse show industry: points won at AQHA shows.

Each year, points earned at AQHA-approved shows in the open and/or amateur divisions by an Incentive Fund-nominated horse are worth a specific dollar amount. The exact amount of each point depends on total money in the Fund for that show year and the total number of points earned in that year by Incentive Fund-nominated horses.Learn more about the Incentive Fund, including how to enroll stallions and their offspring.

For eligible foals born in 2009, AQHA is offering a "last-chance" special to enroll in the Incentive Fund at $500. Normally, the fee for 2009 foals would be as much as $2,500 for late enrollment. However, if you enroll your Incentive Fund-eligible horse by September 30, 2010, the fee will only be $500. If you have a foal born in 2010 and haven’t nominated it yet, do so by September 30, 2010, and you’ll receive a $25 gift card good at Quarter Horse Outfitters.

"The Incentive Fund is a great program for people who want to show and get paid for doing so," said AQHA Executive Vice President Don Treadway Jr. "For whatever reasons, people might have skipped enrolling their eligible horses, and we hope this last-chance special will encourage them to get their horses in the program. It really does pay to own and show Incentive Fund horses."

MISSED LAST YEAR – STALLION OWNERS HAVE A CHANCE
In addition to limited-time discounts to offspring, AQHA is offering an opportunity to enroll stallions that weren’t in the program for the 2010 season (stallions that did not enroll by November 30, 2009). This will make their resulting offspring eligible to nominate into the Incentive Fund. To take advantage of this offer, stallion owners who were not in the fund as of November 30, 2009, must nominate their stallions for both the 2010 and upcoming 2011 breeding seasons, and AQHA will waive the penalty for the 2010 season nomination. This offer is for a limited time only, expiring on September 30, 2010.

THE AWARDS GET BETTER!
These new cash awards don’t end at the Adequan Select World. If you’re showing at the Bank of America and FedEx Open World Championship Show in November, you could also benefit from Farnam’s partnership with AQHA.

Effective with the 2010 Bank of America Amateur and FedExOpen World Championship Show, the all-around award becomes the Farnam All-Around Award and pays $15,000 cash to the winner plus $1,000 in Farnam product and a WeatherBeeta blanket. Runner up in the all-around competition will get $5,000 cash plus $500 in Farnam product; and third- through fifth-place finishers each will take home $1,500 cash plus $250 in Farnam product.

Also, Farnam is taking title sponsorship of the AQHA Superhorse Award and will present $25,000 cash plus $2,000 in Farnam product and a WeatherBeeta blanket to the American Quarter Horse that is the 2010 Farnam Superhorse – the equivalent of World Show’s Most Valuable Player. The Farnam Reserve Superhorse will ride off with $10,000 cash plus $1,000 in Farnam product; and third through fifth in the Farnam Superhorse contest each pockets $2,500 cash plus $500 in Farnam product.

"Exhibitors work hard to make it to this level of competition," said Treadway. "We are thankful to have a company like Farnam reward them for their accomplishments with these great cash awards."

To learn more about the Adequan Select and the Bank of America Amateur and the FedEx Open world championship shows,

FORT WORTH, Texas–The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) will host its annual Convention and Membership Meeting September 30 – October 2, 2010, at the Radisson Hotel at Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. During the Convention, the 2010-2011 APHA Executive Committee will be voted on and announced.

In an effort to give the Board of Directors sufficient time to consider the candidates for the October election, the nominating committee reviewed applications and announced three candidates during the Association’s May Workshop meeting. The three nominees to the APHA Executive Committee include: George Ready of Hernando, Mississippi; Mike Short of Edmond, Oklahoma; and Susie Shaw of Parsons, Tennessee.

George Ready of Hernando, Mississippi, has always shown, raised and maintained horses, and has been involved with APHA since 1985. Ready’s children have shown in APHA competition since 1999. His son, Banks, is a former AjPHA president. Ready has also served as an APHA show manager. A National Director for six years, he’s also worked as a director and vice president of the Zone 6 Committee. A member of the Youth Committee for one year and the Rules Committee for one year, Ready has been the vice chairman of the Professional Horsemen Committee for three years. Ready is an attorney with 30 years of experience, serving as a commissioner, judge, state senator and special assistant attorney general.

Mike Short is a resident of Edmond, Oklahoma. He has 25 years of experience in APHA as a judge, trainer, breeder and promoter. A National Director since 1995, he is a current member of the Oklahoma Paint Horse Club. His club involvement has also included the Empire State Paint Horse Club and the Gulf Coast Paint Horse Club, and he served as the Texas Paint Horse Club president for two years. A member of the APHA Advisory Panel, Short has served on the Youth and Amateur committees and is the chairman of the Amateur Committee. Short is an operations and compliance director for a senior living facility.

Susie Shaw of Parsons, Tennessee, owns a Paint breeding farm and has been active in the Tennessee Paint Horse Club for 14 years. A current member of the APHA Advisory Panel, Shaw has participated on the Registration Committee and the American Paint Horse Foundation Therapeutic Riding Board sub-committee, served as vice chairwoman of the Ways and Means Committee and the Long Range Planning Committee, and participated in the Nominating Committee for Board of Directors for two years and the Nominating Committee for Officers and Executive Committee. Shaw’s professional background includes human relations management, marketing and advertising.

At the October Convention, the Board of Directors will take nominations from the floor prior to voting, then a ballot vote will reveal the newly-elected sixth member of the APHA Executive Committee.

A crowd of Western-art lovers gathered on August 14 to open this year’s America’s Horse in Art Show & Sale. Sixty-four pieces of art are included in the America's Horse in Art Show & Sale. It was opening night and every star of the show was in place, as the guests filed in, glass of wine in hand. 

GoHorseShow.com's Director of Sales and multi-talented artist, musician, and horseman, Don Bell, has already sold one piece of artwork, and has one more for sale, "Luxury Auto," which is being offered for $7,000. 

The guests inspected each painting, drawing and sculpture to appreciate their respective nuances and messages, and the artists’ styles. The guests also mingled with the artists and learned what inspires them and the techniques they employ.

“These are acclaimed artists, some of whom have had their art in the Prix de West and other prestigious shows,” says Ross Middleton, director of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. “This show is an amazing chance to own some of this art, some of which is created by members of the Cowboy Artists of America.”

View all the America’s Horse in Art pieces on sale through November 13. Your purchase supports the programs of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum and its efforts to preserve the history of the American Quarter Horse.

Soon, the guests’ mental notes on their favorite pieces became more of a wish list, which then translated into bids.

At the end of the evening, several guests left the event the proud owners of one or two the pieces. And even though they can’t physically take those pieces home until November, the guests went home to make room on a wall or table on which they will display their purchases.

America’s Horse in Art Show & Sale opening night was Saturday, August 14. The art officially went on sale at 8 a.m. CDT on Monday, August 16. If you are interested in purchasing art, please contact Nichole Dalrymple at (806) 378-5021. You can view each piece of art in a slideshow posted on America’s Horse Daily.com.

Due to IRS regulations, art sales from America’s Horse in Art are not tax deductible, but your purchase does support the programs of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum and its efforts to preserve the history of the American Quarter Horse.

NSBA World Championship Show Scholarship Fundraiser Held During the NSBA Year End Awards Banquet.

The exciting Raffle event - lots of cool stuff that you can win by purchasing raffle tickets and choosing the items that you want to take a chance on winning!

The incredible Silent Auction will kick off at the NSBA Year End Awards Banquet on Wednesday, August 18 and end when the first horse enters the last class in the Ford Truck Arena Friday evening, August 20. 2010.

Donations Include:

2011 Breeding to Blazing Hot donated by Schroeders Ranch

2011 Breeding to Blazing Hot donated by Schroeders Ranch 

2011 Breeding to Rocked N Steady donated by Diana Fleek

2011 Breeding to Dynamics Impression donated by the Conti Family

2011 Breeding to Idol Eyes This donated by the Conti Family

2011 Breeding to My Final Notice donated by Cindy Stephens

2011 Breeding to choice of Indian Artifacts/DGS Indygo donated by Robin DeGraff

Full page Color Ad in the AQHA Journal donated by AQHA Journal

Full Quill Ostrich Boots donated by Phil Harris-Harris Leather & Silver Works

Custom Chaps donated by Bill Werner 

$500 Gift Certificate toward Custom Outfit donated by April Salisbury 

2 Red Designer Purses donated by Faith, and Ryan Small

Pink Designer Purse donated by Ashley Rogers

Pampered Pet Basket donated by the Chant Family

I-Pod donated by Rhonda Replogle

Glamorous Chrystal Pen donated by Lori Heckaman

$100 Gift Certificate to The Sweet Shop donated byThe Sweet Shop 

Gift Basket donated by Susan B Designs

2 Parking Passes for AQHA Congress donated by OQHA

2 Page Ad Design donated by Kristin Martin of Certified Images

Marquerita Basket w/ Variety of Salsas & Chips donated by The NSBA Office Staff

Equine Portrait donated by Kimberly Adams

Rustic Cowboy Boom Box w/ MP3 donated by Becky Volkert & Artpentry 

Hand crafted Necklace made by Cindy Stephens

1 matted and framed large Photo (close-up of spur rowel) donated by Myrna Peters-

Bath & Body Works gift pack worth $90 donated by Brandi Peters-Coplen

Little i mirror tin personality mints donated by Little i

Gift basket of Barlean's Organic Oils product donated by Barlean's Organic Oils

Gift Certificate to The Clothes Horse

and...

Back by popular demand...
The fabulous Balloon pop - Buy a balloon and you might just get the one with $500 cash inside !!!!

100% of the proceeds go to the NSBA Youth Scholarship Fund! For more information please visit the NSBA website at www.nsba.com.

Fort Worth, Texas (August 10, 2010) -The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is proud to announce Betty Dusek, Kay Gay, Temple Grandin, Joyce Gibson Roach and Hortense Ward as inductees to the Hall of Fame for 2010. All five women will be honored during the 35th annual Induction Luncheon Ceremony on October 28, 2010, at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring and celebrating women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience and independence that helped shape the American West, and fosters an appreciation of the ideals and spirit of self-reliance they inspire.It is the legacy of legends.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to preserve the history and highlight the impact of Western women living roughly from the mid-1800s to the present: the artists and writers, champions and competitive performers, entertainers, ranchers (stewards of land and livestock), trailblazers and pioneers.Today, there are over 190 extraordinary women who have been inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame since 1975.

About the 2010 Inductees

Betty Dusek
Vancourt, Texas

Part of the golden age of the all-girl rodeo, Betty Dusek aided in the early development of the Girls Rodeo Association as director of calf roping contests. Betty won several awards including world champion calf roping, team roping, flag racing and ribbon roping through the GRA. Betty is a long-time member of several organizations including, the 4-H Adult Leaders Association, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association, American Quarter Horse Association, West Texas Barrel Racer Association, and Women's Pro Rodeo Association. Receiving her GRA Gold Card in 1985, Betty is an all-around champion, having won 14 titles.

Kay Gay
Terrell, Texas

Kay Gay is an important part of Texas rodeo history. From scheduling long-haul truckers for rodeo stock to serving as secretary to keeping time, she has filled most roles within the rodeo arena.For the Mesquite Championship Rodeo, among others, she coordinated the grand entry and opening ceremonies, carried the American flag and competed as a barrel racer. Her interest in the preservation of Western culture is evident through not only working with the Mesquite Rodeo and others, but also for taking charge of the Pivot Setters and Rodeo costumes at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Her work with the wardrobe often meant designing and even sewing costumes. Kay is generally acknowledged as being one who is encouraging and nurturing to all competitors, and her dedication to maintaining and promoting professional rodeo and our Western heritage is readily seen through her life's work.

Temple Grandin
Fort Collins, Colorado

Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is a champion of the agriculture and livestock industry. Temple has published four books and well over 200 articles and essays on the subjects of animal welfare, livestock handling and other topics relevant to the livestock industry. Having designed the livestock facilities for six different countries, at least 30 percent of the handling done in North America is done through one of Temple's designs. She developed a system that causes the animal to feel minimal anxiety while providing greater safety and efficiency for the plant. Temple overcame double adversities of being female in a male-dominated industry and the challenges associated with being autistic. She has published on the subject of autism and speaks publicly to better inform others about the developmental disorder. Temple is currently a professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University.

Joyce Roach
Keller, Texas

Joyce Gibson Roach is an author, teacher, cattle rancher and naturalist. Her writing credits include awards and prizes in non-fiction, short story, children's literature, and humorous prose, all of which focus on Texas and the Southwest. As adjunct professor of English at TCU, she taught the Western Novel and reintroduced Literature of the Southwest as a part of regional studies. She is a Fellow of Texas State Historical Association, Fellow of Texas Folklore Society, an elected member of the Texas Institute of Letters and Philosophical Society of Texas, and is national president of the Horned Lizard Conservation Society. "The Cowgirls," in print since 1978, is considered the foundational textabout women on horseback from ranch to arena. The family ranch, Crosswinds, is located in the Western Cross Timbers in Wise County, Texas, whereshe has established the Center for Western Cross Timbers Studies dedicated to communicating about and conserving the region.

Hortense Ward
Houston
(1872- 1944)

Known as a defender of women's rights and as the first woman admitted into the Texas Bar Association, Hortense broke barriers for women during the beginning of the 20th century. Five years after being admitted to the Texas bar, Hortense became the first woman from Texas, as well as the first woman below the Mason-Dixon Line admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Hortense was the president of the Houston Equal Suffrage Association, Chief Justice of the All-Woman Supreme Court and vice president of the Women Lawyers Association. She was also the first woman registered to vote in Harris County. In the 1920s, she publicly supported the campaign of Miriam A. "Ma" Ferguson, the first woman governor of Texas. Hortense spearheaded the Married Woman's Property Rights law, which became known as the "Hortense Ward Act," and allowed married women in Texas to control their own property and earnings.