2011 Readers Choice Awards

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by Kara Larson

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he third annual Arabian Horse Times readers’ Choice Awards, held in scottsdale, Ariz., on February 16, 2012, invited some of the most talented and well-respected horsemen of the industry to the monterra At WestWorld for good food, great friends, and a celebration the Arabian horse. “i thinkbyit’s about Line the camaraderie, the excitement of the evening, and offering the first gathering spot of the season,” says Greg Knowles, who emceed the event. “it’s almost like the kick-off party to the year ahead and it’s one of the few times when the industry can come together to celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of the most talented people involved.”

A red carpet and photo area outside of the restaurant welcomed guests, who arrived wearing outfits considerably dressier than their normal horse show attire. “i must say that everyone in this industry cleans up very nicely!” observes event photographer eric mendrysa. “i think that the majority of the people in that room, including myself, are much more comfortable in our barn attire, but it was great to witness the transformation in the exhibitors and trainers. so many times we only get to see the jeans and boots side of our fellow competitors. This evening was yet another representation of the class and style this amazing group of individuals brings to the industry.”

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2011 Readers’ Choice Awards Winners

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Jim Lowe accepting on behalf of Shawn Getty-Lowe.

Lowe Show Horse Center – Favorite Advertisement

Mary Trowbridge with husband, Pat and Lindsey Knight.

Pat’s Story Favorite Editorial Story

Luciana Fasano with John Diedrich.

Al Hadiyah AA Favorite Front Cover

Lissa Tehan and Barbara Chur.

The Grand Dams of Strawberry Banks Farm - Favorite Calendar Month

Stuart Vesty Photographer Of The Year

Mickey Hegg and Lollie Ames.

Youth Nationals – Show Of The Year

Corky Sutton Judge Of The Year

Jeff Schall with John Diedrich.

Shada, Inc. – Best Team (Farm) Spirit

Audrey Zinke with husband David.

Im The Real Deal – Purebred Working Western Horse

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2011 Readers’ Choice Awards Winners

Olivia Pakula Hollywood Blockbuster – Half-Arabian Working Western Horse

Shannon Beethe accepting for Wolf Springs Ranches, Inc. ROL Trade Cycret – Purebred Specialty Horse

Michelle Pease-Paulsen accepting for L. David Paulsen.

Prince LOA – Half-Arabian

Hillary Hoffman GJR Shameful – Purebred Hunter Horse

Brooksley Sheehe Everlastin Love – Half-Arabian Hunter Horse

Brett Becker accepting for the Whitaker Family.

Onyx A – Purebred Western Horse

Kayli Fortun accepting for Remington Monroe Equine, LLC. Capt Jack Sparrow PGA – Half-Arabian Western Horse

Leah Beth Boyd Starr Llight – Purebred Saddle Seat Horse and Rising New Star

Jim Stachowski accepting for Norma and John Diver.

ERA Moonlite Serenade – Half-Arabian Saddle Seat Horse

Of The Year

Specialty Horse

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2011 Readers’ Choice Awards Winners

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David Boggs accepting for Oak Ridge Arabians.

Vitorio TO – Purebred Halter Horse

Jim and Sally Bedeker.

Ebony By Valentino – Half-Arabian Halter Horse

Josh Quintus Western Trainer Of The Year

Vicki Humphrey Saddle Seat Trainer Of The Year

Tyson Randle Working Western Trainer Of The Year

Andrew Sellman Halter Trainer Of The Year

Wendy Potts Show Hack/Hunter Trainer Of The Year

Rob Bick Versatile Trainer Of The Year

Chloe Holmes Youth Exhibitor Of The Year

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Amanda Purdin Adult Amateur Of The Year

Roxann Hart Rohara Arabians – Breeder Of The Year

Ward & Marva Ferguson, Hermann Blaser and Roxanne & Jeff Schall accepting for Lawrence Jerome and Indira Van Handel.

Khadraj NA – Sire Of The Year

Once again, the AHT Readers’ Choice Awards Dinner featured an auction in support of the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund, so that the evening not only honors outstanding performance, but also takes care of those in the community. This year, the array of generously donated lots ran from a host of useful articles and services for horsemen, to selections such as a breeding to the American Saddlebred stallion Nutcracker’s Nirvana, tickets to the Broadway production of “War Horse,” and a bronze sculpture. When the last bid had been taken, $33,750 had been raised for the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund.

“The Times was the very first one to step up and produce an event at their own cost with all proceeds going to the Distress Fund,” notes AHDF board member Mary Trowbridge. “With the wide array of people that come together for the event, it has become the uniting factor that brings us back to reality. The reason we all come together is because we love the Arabian horse, and that’s really the message that the Fund wants the people to always remember. Our success at this event is really the doing of the Arabian horse and the community that surrounds it. Every single one of those donations shows how much people care about the horses and their fellow horsemen, and are willing to put in the effort to help when the chips are down.”

On the Awards program, there was one segment simply titled, “Introduction of Special Guest.” For those in attendance, this guest, 15-year-old Lillie Brown, shared her inspiring story of how her love of her Arabian gelding, Windborne Maestro, sustained her through a harrowing bout with cancer. Her mother, Heather, and sister, Vivien, accompanied her at the Dinner.

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“it was such a fun and exciting evening for us,” says Heather brown. “We were shocked at first because we had no idea how big the event would be. We were finally able to meet mary Trowbridge after countless

by Line phone calls, and the people from the Arabian Horse Times who brought us out for the event. What an amazing group the Arabian horse community is. even though we really had no idea what to expect, we ended up having such an amazing time! “being able to share our experience was really special,” she continues. “everyone knows a teenager who loves horses, so being able to show that Lillie is just that, humanizes the situation and our family.

Lillie has come so far in her short lifetime, and it has been great to have the support and love of mary and the Arabian community.

“There are really no words to describe everything that mary has done for us,” she adds. “she has gone so far above and beyond. When she called and offered to help us in the beginning, we only had our Arabian gelding, so i had no idea why she was reaching out to us. i said no at first, but eventually i came around. she has been financially wonderful and incredibly persistent through everything. Her pivotal commitment brought on the support of a much larger group—the Arabian community as a whole. i really cannot believe how much the Arabian horse community has reached out to us. everyone in this tight-knit group has been kind, giving, and helpful.”

At the presentation of the Awards, their honorees further endorsed the breed and its people, as one after another, they recounted their appreciation, often referencing favorite horses and pivotal events, creating a narrative for the evening that surpassed its initial expectations.

Uniquely, the readers’ Choice Awards recognize not only the horses, owners, trainers and breeders, but also the stories, writers and photographers who record their

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Special Guest Lillie Brown with mother, Heather, and sister Vivien.

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achievements. Mary Trowbridge, whose time is split between training horses and working with AHDF, also writes a column for AHT, and won the category of “Favorite Editorial Story of the Year,” with “Tales from the Equestrian Underbelly—Pat’s Story.” “That was such a testament to Pat and her grace under pressure,” she says. “It was really a special thing to be a part of, and I’m glad that everyone else got to appreciate her story and her love for her Arabian.

“I can honestly say that the Arabian is the best breed of horse, with the best group of people, in the equine industry,” she adds. “No other breed offers a passion so great in all walks of life. Cultures come together through the Arabian horse and are immediately on equal footing.

It’s fun celebrating and caring for the horse we love, and through events like the Readers’ Choice Awards, the people and the horse are highlighted and serve as a prime example of everything the Arabian horse can do.”

“It is great to see how much support has grown for the Readers’ Choice Awards over the past few years,” observes Wayne Anderson, a longtime senior designer at Arabian Horse Times. “The support from our readership is simply overwhelming, and I think the awards are a great way to celebrate our community and, of course, the Arabian horse.”

In fact, the underlying purpose of the Readers’ Choice Awards is simple: to bring the Arabian community together. “Our industry is a mixed one,” says Greg Knowles, “but this is a night that everybody comes together and enjoys the talents and reputations of their fellow horsemen.”

“The night had a great energy and the attendance was just—wow!” says Arabian Horse Times publisher Lara Ames. “It was truly an honor to pay respect to the people of the industry and the hard work they do. At the end of the day, it’s all about the common love of the Arabian horse, and that’s what makes the Readers’ Choice Awards such a special affair.”

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A special thank you to the sponsors of boisvert Farms, LLC C. Jarvis insurance Agency, inc. iowa Gold star Futurity

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mike Ferrara Photography Paul Glans—Legends Cadillac schneider saddlery show season

the 2011 AHT Readers’ Choice Awards

“Beyond being an overall fun evening, The Readers’ Choice Awards is important in that it allows our peers to recognize the people and horses they feel have excelled in the industry. We are proud to sponsor an event that brings great people together and helps a very important cause—The Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund.”

—Amanda Purdin, Boisvert Farms, LLC

“Sponsoring the Readers’ Choice Awards is just one way that we can give back to the Arabian horse community that has given us so much in return.

In addition to it being a great event, we also get to support the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund—that’s why we do it.”

—Melissa Holmes, Show Season

“The Readers’ Choice Awards was a natural fit for us to sponsor as we proudly support Arabian Horse Times magazine and give much due credit to our many loyal customers within the Arabian industry.”

—Paul Glans, Legends Cadillac

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Congratulations To The Following Winners Of The 2011 AHT Readers’ Choice Awards!

Favorite Advertisement featured in the 2011 AHT Lowe Show Horse Centre, September AA, designed by Shawn Getty-Lowe Favorite Editorial Story Of The Year in AHT Trainer Confidential—Tales From The Equestrian Underbelly: Pat’s Story, by Mary Trowbridge, July Favorite 2011 AHT Front Cover July—Al Hadiyah AA, owned by Fazenda Floresta and photographed by Shira Favorite AHT Calendar Month Of The Year August—The Grand Dams Of Strawberry Banks Farm, owned by Barbara Chur and photographed by Stuart Vesty

Purebred Western Horse Of The Year Onyx A, owned by Richard, Gail and Anne Whitaker Half-Arabian Western Horse Of The Year Capt Jack Sparrow PGA, owned by Remington Monroe Equine LLC Purebred Saddle Seat Horse Of The Year Starr Llight, owned by Tom and Elizabeth Moore Half-Arabian Saddle Seat Horse Of The Year ERA Moonlite Serenade, owned by Norma and John Diver Purebred Halter Horse Of The Year Vitorio TO, owned by Oak Ridge Arabians

Photographer Of The Year Stuart Vesty

Half-Arabian Halter Horse Of The Year Ebony By Valentino, owned by Sally Bedeker

Show Of The Year Youth Nationals

Rising New Star Award (Trainer Under 30 Years Of Age) Leah Beth Boyd

Judge Of The Year Corky Sutton Instructor Of The Year Lisa Jo White Best Team (Farm) Spirit Award Shada, Inc. A/HA/AA Sport Horse Of The Year O Lordy, owned by VWV Venture, Inc. Purebred Working Western Horse Of The Year Im The Real Deal, owned by Audrey Zinke Half-Arabian Working Western Horse Of The Year Hollywood Blockbuster, owned by Olivia Pakula Purebred Specialty Horse Of The Year (Driving, Show Hack, Side Saddle, Native Costume) ROL Trade Cycret, owned by Wolf Springs Ranches, Inc. Half-Arabian Specialty Horse Of The Year (Driving, Show Hack, Side Saddle, Native Costume) Prince LOA, owned by L. David Pease Purebred Hunter Horse Of The Year GJR Shameful, owned by Matthew and Jody Hoffman Half-Arabian Hunter Horse Of The Year Everlastin Love, owned by Phillip and Brooksley Sheehe

Western Trainer Of The Year Josh Quintus Saddle Seat Trainer Of The Year Vicki Humphrey Working Western Trainer Of The Year Tyson Randle Halter Trainer Of The Year Andrew Sellman Show Hack/Hunter Trainer Of The Year Wendy Potts Versatile Trainer Of The Year Rob Bick Youth Exhibitor Of The Year Chloe Holmes Adult Amateur Of The Year Amanda Purdin Breeder Of The Year Rohara Arabians Sire Of The Year Khadraj NA, owned by Lawrence Jerome & Indira Van Handel

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S ir e O f The Ye a r

Khadraj NA

“The Jerland team would like to express our deep appreciation to all who supported our grand old man Khadraj NA. It is indeed a privilege to own and be able to care for him. It is with gratitude we thank all who had a part in furthering his career, and to all those who have recognized the impact he has made on the Arabian industry. At 22 years of age, Khadraj spends his days in his large paddock where he has an opportunity to watch his children and grandchildren at play. He loves visitors and can still put on a show.

Thank you again, to all who have, and still support him.”

—Larry and Shelley, Mike and Indira, Hermann, and families.

Owned by: Jerland Farms

The Larry & Shelly Jerome Family & Hermann Blaser • 715-537-5413 • www.Jerland.com Larry Jerome - 715-205-0357 - larry.jerome@jerland.com • Mike Van Handel - 651-269-2972 - mike.vanhandel@jerland.com 58 | A r A Bi A n Hor Se T i MeS

B r eeder O f T he Ye ar

Rohara Arabians

Roxann and Karl, You've spent over four decades creating exceptional Arabian horses through your foresight, determination and commitment. You have not only enriched your lives, but have had a major impact on people and breeding programs throughout the world. Congratulations to both of you on your second AHT Readers' Choice Breeder Of The Year award—a true tribute to the hundreds of amazing horses that carry the name Rohara.

Sincerely, Team Rohara RohaR a aR abians P.O. Box 110 Orange Lake, Florida • 352-591-4661 • Rohara@windstream.net • www.Rohara.com Volume 42, No. 11 | 59

Halter Trainer Of The Year

Andrew Sellman

“As I reflect on receiving this award, I am very grateful. It is special because it is nice to be recognized for being good at what I love to do. To the people who made it happen—my clients, staff, Arabian Horse Times and its readers, and especially Angela Larson, I thank you for this great honor.”

—Andrew

info@argentfarms.com • 715-425-9001 • www.argentfarms.com 60 | A r A bi A n Hor se T i mes

Rising New Star Award

Leah Beth Boyd

You have come a long way lady!

Congratulations, Leah, on this great accomplishment. Your future looks very bright and we are very proud to have you on our team!

All the best and love, Dick, Lollie, and Lara Ames

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Half-Arabian Saddle Seat Horse Of The Year

ERA Moonlite Serenade Thank you ...

~ Mom and Dad, for all your support and the great horses I have received over the years. ~ All of you who voted for “Tator”. ~ Terry, for always supporting me, even when I messed up in a class. ~ Arabian Horse Times for this great award program to acknowledge great horses and their owners. ~ Most importantly, Jimmy and Peter. For 30 years now, both of you have made things happen for myself and my family that most people can only dream of. Thank you, both, you are the best, and you have the greatest help and most awesome clients. ~ To all the assistant trainers and grooms at the farm—without all of you, we would not be the winning team that we are today.

Tator would also like to thank all of her fans and friends that brought her carrots. Keep them coming in 2012!

— Jim Diver 62 | A r A bi A n Hor se T i mes

Judge Of The Year

Corky Sutton

Congratulations to Corky Sutton on winning the Readers’ Choice Judge of the Year Award!

Corky has dedicated much of her life to her love of the Arabian horse, always striving to bring the very best horses to the winner’s circle. It is rewarding for her family to see her receive this wonderful recognition for a job well done.

—Edwin, Sean and Jamie Lynn Hy W y nne Farm Edwin & Corky Sutton • 56 Buell St, Akron, NY 14001 716-542-9841 • hywynne@aol.com Volume 42, No. 11 | 63

Versatile Trainer Of The Year

Rob Bick

“I would like to thank the readers of Arabian Horse Times for making it possible for me to win this award. My clients are very instrumental in my success, and they provide me with extremely talented horses to train—I would not have won this award without them.

“I also want to give a special ‘thank you’ to Caralyn. Every day we get to wake and share our passion for the Arabian horse. This is such a dream for me, and I thank you for being a part of this wonderful journey.”

—Rob RBC Show hoRSeS, LLC Rob Bick & Caralyn Schroter • Smithfield, North Carolina • 919-202-8384 • www.rbcshowhorses.com 64 | A R A Bi A N HoR Se T i meS

Purebred Western Horse Of The Year

Onyx A

Thank you, Brett, for your continued dedication and for guiding Onyx A to such great accomplishments in his young career, 2011 U.S. National Champion Western Pleasure Open at 5 years old!

Looking forward to Onyx’s continued success. —The Whitaker Family

w w w.avonleaarabians.com

w w w.beckerstables.com Volume 42, No. 11 | 65

Purebred Saddle Seat Horse Of The Year

Starr Llight

“Thank you to everyone who supported, cheered and voted for Starr Llight this year, it made an unbelievable year unforgettable!”

2011 U.S. National Champion Arabian English Pleasure Open with Leah Boyd and Reserve Champion Arabian Park AAOTR with Elizabeth Moore 2011 Youth National Top Ten Arabian English Pleasure JTR & Top Ten Park JTR with Emily Moore Awarded Pegasus Award and Finalist for USEF Horse Of The Year

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Owned by: Tom & ElizabETh moorE

Half-Arabian Hunter Horse Of The Year

Everlastin Love The Sheehe family wishes to express their thanks to all those who voted for Everlastin Love ("Eddie") and Brooksley for this award. To Rohara Arabians, Karl and Roxie, thank you for 25 years of continued support, mentoring, and friendship. To John Rannenberg, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for having bred and trained "Eddie", our all-time favorite horse. And to, "Eddie", thank you for all of the breathtaking moments in the ring—you will always be our Everlastin Love.

TsHAmpAgne Ar AbiAns LLC Miami, Florida Volume 42, No. 11 | 67

Favorite AHT Calendar Month

Strawberry Banks Farm

“Thank you for choosing ‘SBF Mares’ as the winning Calendar Month photo.

All credit goes to the beautiful mares themselves and to Stuart Vesty for his great patience helping us create this memorable photo!”

Strawberry Banks Farm Barbara Chur • East Aurora, New York • 716-652-9346 • www.StrawberryBanksFarm.com 68 | A r A Bi A N Hor SE T i mES

Working Western Horse Of The Year

Im The Real Deal +/

Mu lt ipl e Nat iona l , R e giona l a nd S co t tsda l e Wins, inclu ding: 2 011 U. S. Nat iona l Cha mpion Rein ing Open 2 011 U. S. Nat iona l Reser ve Cha mpion Reined Cow Open 2 011 Reg ion 1 Cha mpion Rein ing Open 2 011 Reg ion 7 Cha mpion Rein ing Open 2 011 Reg ion 7 Reser ve Cha mpion Reined Cow Open

Congratulations to Im The Real Deal+/ and his trainer, Crystal McNutt, for an amazing year in the show ring.

— Audrey M. Zinke, owner and breeder For breeding inquiries, please contact: Audrey Zinke, 626-966-7722, ArabReiner@aol.com • Crystal McNutt, 602-708-8883 Volume 42, No. 11 | 69

Show Of The Year

Youth Nationals Championship Show Thank you to all of those who sponsor us!

See you all July 21-28, in Albuquerque, New Mexico!

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"We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we will all hang separately." ~Ben Franklin

Special appreciation goes to the mayor of our village, “Mr. T!”

“The words, thank you, don't seem to convey how fortunate I am to have an amazing family that consists of Pat, Lindsey, Mike, Matt, Ali and Michele behind me, as well as our wonderful group of clients and friends.

Life would not be the same without you.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!” ~ Mary T. www.Trowbridgesltd.com Pat & Mary Trowbridge Trainer Lindsey Knight • Matt Conway 236 Henry Sanford Rd, Bridgewater, CT 06752 860.354.8926 Volume 42, No. 11 | 71

2011 AHT R

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Photographer of the Year

Calendar Photo of the Year “Thank you to my friends, clients and their beautiful horses, for making my life as much fun and rewarding as it is … and to ALL of you who are never in the shot, but always MAKE the shot, this award is for US. Thank You!” —Stuart w w w.Vest yPhoto.com st u@ vest y.com • 330 -995-48 0 0 72 | A r A bi A n Hor se T i mes

AHT Readers' Choice

A d u l t A m a t e u r O f T h e Ye a r

Amanda Purdin Thank you first to my parents. I started this journey as just a little girl who wanted to ride horses. You both have helped me achieve so much more than I could have ever dreamed.

Thank you for being so supportive of me and what I love.

Secondly, thank you, Joel. You've taught me so much more than how to ride a horse. You've taught me to trust and believe in myself every day; thank you for never giving up on me. Finally, to my husband Rhein. Thanks for pushing me to do things that I didn't know I could and for always having more confidence in me than I have in myself. I am so lucky to be able to share the horses I love with the person I love. Thank you so much for always being there for me.

—Love, Amanda

Boisvert Farms, LLC Scott, Susan and Amanda Purdin 630 Louisiana Avenue • Baton Rouge, LA 70802 farm: 225.933.6109 • info@boisvertfarmsllc.com www.BoisvertFarmsLLC.com Volume 42, No. 11 | 73

2011 US National Champion Arabian Hunter Pleasure AAOTR 18-35 2011 US National & Canadian National Top Ten Arabian Hunter Pleasure 2011 Canadian National Top Ten Arabian Hunter Pleasure AATR 18-39 2011 Region 10 Champion Arabian Hunter Pleasure AAOTR 18-39 (Unanimous) and AATR 18-39 2011 Buckeye Sweepstakes Reserve Champion Arabian Hunter Pleasure AAOTR 18-39

Sam would like to thank everyone that has be a part of his life - The Hoffman Family, Rick Nab, Stephanie Sage, JT Keller, Brian Scoggins, and Katie Beck