InStride Edition - April 2024

COVER STORY

DEBBY BREHM 14-17

By Corrine S. Borton

Photos by Kirstie Marie

Photography,Shane Rux & Jeff Kirkbride

FEATURES

HALL OF FAME: AQHA & NSBA ANNOUNCE NEW INDUCTEES 29-32

By AQHA & NSBA

PHBA SECTION

STILL THE ONE: SPEED CLASSES ADDED TO WORLD SHOW 35

By Corrine S. Borton

Photos by Jeff Kirkbride

EVENTS

MARCH TO THE ARCH: BIG PAYOUTS MARK 2024 EVENT IN FORT WORTH 50-53

By Corrine S.Borton

Photos by Jeff Kirkbride & Courtney Ament

REGULAR COLUMNS PROFESSIONALS 64-65

Houston Huff

“INSIDE” LAW 73

By Katherine Jarve

“INSIDE” HEALTH 81-82

By Brian Burks DVM

THE BUZZ 85 ASSOCIATION NEWS 89

ADVERTISING SALES

ADVERTISING SALES

Courtney B. Ament

Deanna Green Willis

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Courtney B. Ament

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Brent Adam Borton

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Corrine S. Borton

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Courtney B. Ament

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Shane Rux

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Western Pleasure Champion; The Madness 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Western Pleasure Champion; A Sudden Impulse Futurity Novice Horse Open Western Pleasure Champion; The Championship Show $5,000 Maturity Open Western Pleasure Champion and $2,500 Limited Horse Open Western Pleasure Maturity Champion; Tom Powers Futurity $2,500 Limited Horse Open Western Pleasure Champion.

Brehm and Mac’s first major circuit together will be at The Sudden Impulse Futurity at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida this April. She will show in Amateur Select Western Pleasure and Willis will show Mac in Level 3 Western Pleasure events.

Although Brehm is just starting her show career with Mac she is by no means a newcomer to the world of horses. Her involvement when she was 6 years old.

“As a typical horse-crazy kid I begged and begged my Dad for a horse,” she explained. “Finally one day he said ‘I will buy you a horse when you turn 10.’”

Young Debby scribbled down a note stating “Dad will buy me a horse when I am 10” and made him sign it.

“I never asked for a horse again until my 10th birthday when I got that ragged, well-read, torn note out of my dresser drawer and handed it to Dad,” she said.

Her father was shocked Debby had kept that note, but being a man of his word, he bought her and her sister, Mary Jo their first horse.

They competed at 4-H and open shows and eventually made their way to American Quarter Horse Association sanctioned events.

“We showed in every class,” she explained. “Of course the number of classes were fewer and had less entries than today.”

In 1968 Brehm showed Johnny Pat Star to the AQHA High-Point Youth Halter Gelding title and at the same time her family owned Frosty Bonanza, winner of the very first Quarter Horse Congress in 1967, with noted Halter horse trainer Tommy Manion on the shank.

“We started to train with Tommy and would meet him at the shows where Mary Jo and I would show in Youth classes with Frosty and Johnny and Tommy would show in the Open,” Brehm recalled. “The days of using a trainer were just beginning in the country. Now it is practically required if you want to compete on a National level due to the specialization of disciplines.”

Brehm took a break from showing horses to com-

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Debby Brehm is pictured on this page with Ima Golden Machine. Pictured on the opposite page is: Brehm with WhatILikeAboutYou (top) at the 2018 AQHA Amateur Select World Show; the dogs she takes everywhere with herWaffles, a Bernese Mountain and Cappy, a Jack Russell; and Brehm with Denny Hassett and Shez One Classy Kid at the 2010 Quarter Horse Congress.

plete a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Nebraska.

After teaching school for two years in Dallas, Texas and then four years in Lincoln, Nebraska, she joined her family’s business, Douglas Theatre Company, founded in 1951 by her father, Russell Brehm. Debby worked her way up to vice president of DTC, which over the years, grew from one drive-in theatre to over 100 theatres nationwide and became the 38th largest theatre company in North America before being sold to Marcus Theatres.

Some of the real estate was retained and today Brehm Enterprises develops other real estate projects including apartments and strip malls under the Debby’s presidency.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t miss the theatre business, and especially its community involvement however,” Brehm said. “I started a Children’s Christmas party which drew 110 attendees the first year and grew to over 3,000 attendees. Some people would tell me they came as a child and now were bringing their own children.”

The Brehm family has always enjoyed giving back to the community.

“We hosted an Academy Awards party, complete with limousines and a red carpet and raised over $100,000 for the Make-A Wish Foundation,” Debby said. “Those were exciting times. We were fortunate that we sold before Covid hit as people got used to staying home to watch movies on their own big screen TVs and the industry hasn’t recovered.”

Although her teaching career and involvement in the family’s business kept Brehm very busy, just two years out of college she began to miss showing horses. That’s when she reached out in an effort to return to showing Halter horses.

“I met Denny Hassett and we began a 35year friendship that continues today,” she said. “Denny and I showed Halter horses successfully and I won six World Championships, four Reserve World Championships and two Bronze trophies.”

By the time Denny retired, Brehm had already ventured into the world of Western Pleasure under the guidance of the Greens. Teamed with Whatilikeaboutyou, a 2014 bay mare by Lazy Loper out of Whatscookngoodlookin, Brehm placed third, winning a bronze trophy, in Western Pleasure at the AQHA Amateur Select World Championship Show in 2018.

Brehm also got some help for a bit from Texas trainer Ribin Frid. In 2019 he showed Whatilikeaboutyou to a Championship title in the Breeders Championship Futurity 4-6 year Old Limited Open Western Pleasure and the Limited Open Western Pleasure Maturity at the National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) World Championship Show.

Brehm lives on 40 acres at the edge of Lincoln, a place she describes as “city close, but country quiet.”

Brehm’s children – son, Garrett, and daughter, Morgan, caught the horse show bug for a time. Garrett showed Halter horses as a child and was Justin Rookie of the Year. He graduated from UNL with degrees in political science and finance and a minor in economics. He owns WOOF Dog Care Center, a one-stop shop, complete with boarding, day care, grooming, retail sales and a vet clinic. Morgan focused on Halter horses with Hassett but also added Western Pleasure and All-Around events in her late teens and early Amateur years. She won eight World Championship titles; four Reserves, and three bronze trophies. She also won Level 1 Non-Pro Western Riding at the Congress.

“She is currently taking a hiatus from showing horses as her career as head groomer at WOOF has taken off,” Brehm explained. “I am very proud of both of my kids.”

Debby, however, is still going strong.

“We have had two other horses for Debby over the past two years that had a lot of success, including Tickled Pinkk and Dun Made For Mousing,” Willis said. “Both accumulated multiple circuit championships, futurity wins and titles. We also have a yearling filly out of Debby’s great mare WhatILikeAboutU by Heart Stopin, that I am excited to start for her next year.”

She, on the other hand, is focused on Mac.

“It makes me so happy to own Mac because it is my way of continuing to feel close to Linda, and I am sure she is rooting for me from above.”

American Quarter Horse Association

The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame this year will induct three horses and three men into its Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors bestowed by the American Quarter Horse Foundation. The new inductees include: Frenchmans Guy, Blue Valentine, Shining Spark, Dr. Jim Heird, J.D. Yates and Paul Jones.

Frenchmans Guy – Foaled in 1987, Frenchmans Guy quickly made his mark in the American Quarter Horse world. While his performance record predates any modern-day recordkeeping system, his progeny and grand progeny have been at the top of the charts for the past three decades. By Sun Frost and out of Frenchmans Lady by Laughing Boy, Frenchmans Guy sired 1,969 American Quarter Horse foals that have earned more than $13 million and 2,528 AQHA points, mostly in barrel racing. His top-three leading progeny are Morning Traffic ($482,697 LTE), Teasin Dat Guy ($426,052 LTE) and Bring It On Guys ($323,718 LTE).

Blue Valentine – In the 1950s and ’60s, it would have been hard to predict the effect that Blue Valentine, a hardy blue roan Joe Hancock-bred ranch stallion, would have on the American Quarter Horse industry. But hindsight being what it is, we know that even though Blue Valentine only sired 210 registered American Quarter Horses, his influence is still seen in the breed nearly 70 years later. “Blue” passed on his speed, good bone, gentle disposition, longevity and cow savvy. Few horses have made such an impact that their reputation outlives them by more than a few generations.

Shining Spark – His progeny earned more than 39,000 AQHA points, 40 AQHA world championships and more than $10 million, mostly in National Reined Cow Horse and National Reining Horse association competition. Shining Spark had the spark that ignited a bloodline that set new standards in value. By Genuine Doc and out of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Famer Diamonds

Sparkle, Shining Spark was NRCHA’s all-time leading sire from 2003 to 2020, and that association’s first $3 million sire. Of his 1,411 American Quarter Horse foals, Shining Spark’s top-three foals by earnings are Shining N Sassy ($259,262 LTE), Shine By The Bay ($178,699 LTE) and A Shiner Named Sioux ($161,891 LTE). This is his third equine industry hall of fame induction.

Dr. Jim Heird –The son of a tobacco farmer, who grew up in the 1960s in East Tennessee, Jim Heird, still plowed his fields with mules. But it was horses, not mules, that inspired Heird. He was 13 when he saw his first American Quarter Horse. That love of horses charted the course of his career in academia, but also in the American Quarter Horse industry. Heird was an AQHA director for Colorado in 2009 and became a director for Texas in 2011. He has served on the judges, international and show committees, show council and AQHA Animal Welfare Commission; and was the chairman of the judges committee, 1989-1991; show committee, 2008-2010; international committee, 2013-2015; show council, 2008-2011; and commissioner of the Animal Welfare Commission, 2011-2015. He was elected to the AQHA Executive Committee in 2015 and served as AQHA president in 2018.

J.D. Yates – The youngest man in history to qualify for the prestigious National Finals Rodeo at the age of 15, J.D. Yates has won more than $1.6 million in professional rodeo, qualified for the NFR 21 times, the National Finals Steer Roping 11 times, has 47 AQHA world championships under his belt and has had a hand in the making of several AQHA Superhorses. One has to wonder what Yates’ favorite win has been. “The next one,” he says every single time he’s asked. Roping is a sport that was shared with Yates by his dad, Dick, and now Yates. is sharing it with his son, Trey, who has qualified for the NFR three times. Success is in this family’s genes.

Paul Jones – The only racing trainer to win 14-straight AQHA champion racing trainer titles, Paul Jones has 4,436 wins and 460 stakes wins, and his horses have won more than $89 million. His career highlights include winning the All American Futurity three times (Teller Cartel, No Secrets Here and Runnning Brook Gal), the Champion of Champions six times (Whosleavingwho, The Down Side, Cash For Kas, Wave Carver, Good Reason SA and Rylees Boy) and the Los Al Two Million two times (A Reagal Choice and Good Reason SA). “Paul has dominated many racing categories, but his main goal is to accomplish what is best for his owners and his horses,” says his wife, Marin Jones. “He knows his horses intimately, without even looking at their name tags.”

The AQHA will celebrate the Class of 2023 at this year’s American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame Induction & Reunion Celebration Sept. 6-7 in Amarillo, Texas and and their stories and artifacts are featured in the Hall of Fame and on the museum’s website. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, horses and people must have been outstanding over a period of years in a variety of categories.

For more information visit www.aqha.com.

National Snaffle Bit Association

The National Snaffle Bit Association recently announced the newest class of 2024 Hall of Fame inductees. They include:

Dark Jasmine – The 2024 Hall Of Fame Show Horse is Dark Jasmine, a 2006 AQHA mare by Just Wait Until Dark and out of An Old Gold Invester. Jasmine showed from 2008 to 2015, accumulating Reichert Celebration, Tom Powers, Little Futurity and Southern Belle Breeders futurity championships as well as six Quarter Horse Congress Championships and Reserve Championships and an AQHA World Championship in Junior Western Pleasure. Jasmine is owned by Susan Ostrander and was shown extensively by Susan’s daughter, Brianna Tamulewicz who showed her to a AQHYA World Championship in 2011. Dark Jasmine earned $50,440.50 in NSBA lifetime Western Pleasure earnings in Open and Non-Pro divisions.

Sky Blue Walker – Hall of Fame Stallion honoree Sky Blue Walker was a 1985 gray AQHA stallion by Cloud Walker and out of Strawberry Pigeon. Owned by Rhonda Replogle, Sky Blue Walker earned 188 AQHA points in Open Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, Trail, Pleasure Driving, Hunter Hack, Working Hunter Under Saddle, Jumping and Barrel Racing. He also earned the AQHA Open Versatility Award in 1994. Sky Blue Walker became a recognizable sire, with offspring that have earned s

AQHA Amateur and Open World Championships, 71 AQHA Open, Amateur and Youth Superior awards, four Open, five Amateur and three youth Halter Register of Merit awards. Sky Blue Walker’s offspring have earned $199,792 in NSBA earnings, $209,086 in NSBA Incentive Fund earnings and $97,484 in AQHA World Championship Show earnings. Among his most recognizable offspring are A ChanceOfBlueSkies, Magnificent Blue Sky, Skys Blue Boy, Skys Blue Moon, Walkable and You Know Im Right.

Hot Lopin Louise – Hot Lopin Louise, the 2024 Hall of Fame Breeding Mare honoree, was a 2002 AQHA mare by Blazin Hot and out of Born Lopin. Jackie and Cathy Starnes bought Hot Lopin Louise from the Schroeder Ranch when she was a late two-year-old. Fondly called Louise, the mare was trained by Jay Starnes and was named the 2005 NSBA Horse Of The Year. Louise would earn multiple All American Quarter Horse Congress Championships as well as 180 AQHA and 73,75 NSBA performance points in Western Pleasure. She earned $53,422 in NSBA earnings.

As a broodmare, Louise had 12 foals with nine who went on to earn 1,478 NSBA points and 362 NSBA points, as well as $161,439 in NSBA earnings and $276,555 in AQHA earnings. Her foals have earned 17 Register Of Merit awards as well as four AQHA Superior awards. Among the most notable offspring of Hot Lopin Louise are Hot Lopin Goodbar, earner of $37,654 in NSBA earnings, Pleasure Kruze, earner of 65.5 AQHA Amateur points and 81.5 Level 1 Open AQHA points, Shes A Lopin Machine, earner of $28,183 in NSBA earnings and more than 845 AQHA points, and AQHA stallion The Lopin Machine, who was named a Quarter Horse Congress Masters Western Pleasure Futurity champion and earned more than $62,36 in NSBA earnings.

Bill and Cindy Cosentino – The 2024 Hall of Fame Individual honoree Bill and Cindy Cosentino, of Omaha, Nebraska have a long history of involvement with NSBA and the horse industry. The couple competes with their registered Quarter Horses and have won world and reserve world championships, but they have also been active in association work. They started with the Nebraska Quarter Horse Association, with Bill helping at NQHA shows and Cindy serving as youth advisor. Bill joined the NSBA board of directors in 2011 and served as president in 2017. He led NSBA’s efforts to bring the association’s magazine, The Way To Go, inhouse and also promoted the development of Youth 13 & Under and Color classes at the NSBA World Championship Show. He also was instrumental in reviewing and negotiating health insurance coverage for the NSBA staff.

Cindy served as NSBA Youth Advisor for several years. She brought new life to the program, recruiting and encouraging youth participation in NSBA. She also developed additional conference calls, activities, tasks and opportunities for interaction among the youth board members. Cindy promoted

the development of the NSBA Youth Team Tournament and volleyball tournament as ways youth could further socialize at the NSBA World Championship Show. The couple were awarded NSBA’s Jack Benson award in 2020.

Jack Benson Award – Corbett Ryan, Wauconda, Illinois, has been named the recipient of NSBA’s prestigious Jack Benson Award.

Named after the late NSBA member Jack Benson, the award is presented to an individual who unselfishly gives of his or her time to promote NSBA and its mission, and create greater interest in the pleasure horse industry. The award has been presented annually since 1989.

Ryan was instrumental in the development of NSBA’s Equestrians With Disabilities division. Born with cerebral palsy, Ryan had been an equestrian since he was two years old, but found that he did not fit the qualifications for Special Olympics, which are designed for individuals with cognitive disabilities, or Paralympics, which do not allow spotters to accompany riders. He joined with therapeutic riding center Partners For Progress and NSBA’s executive team to develop rules and guidelines for Equestrians With Disabilities classes, which debuted at the 2010 NSBA World Championship Show.

In addition to his encouragement in developing EWD classes, Ryan has helped the classes continue as a corporate sponsor for events at the NSBA World Championship Show and the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Corbett graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in American studies. Corbett has represented the United States at the United Nations delegation for persons with disabilities in Vienna, Austria, and has used his knowledge of inclusion in the classroom and workplace to speak publicly about inclusion issues.

The 2024 NSBA Hall Of Fame and Jack Benson award recipients will be recognized during the NSBA Honors banquet on Sunday, August 11, during the NSBA Breeders Championship Futurity and World Championship Show, being held August 8-18 at the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Still The One

PHBA World Show highlights include Trail Shoot Out, Costume Showmanship

The Palomino Horse Breeders of America World Championship organizers are always on the hunt for ways to make the event even better than in past years and 2024 will be no exception.

“This show fosters a great family friendly atmosphere to showcase the ability of riders at every level while demonstrating the versatility and athleticism of our beautiful PHBA registered horses,” said PHBA General Manager Terri Guthrie.

New to the schedule will be Palomino Bred Open Pole Bending and Palomino Bred Open Barrel Racing for speed competitors.

In addition, back by popular demand will be the Western Costume Showmanship Class, open to all horses and exhibitors (Open, Youth and Amateur). The theme for this year’s Costume Class is Greatest Showman. The pattern is freestyle with required maneuvers and a time limit will be enforced. The contest has a $75 entry fee with $50 of that going to the payout of the pattern portion of the class and will be presented on Monday, July 15. Competitors are permitted to share a horse if needed. Prizes will be awarded for the costume portion of the class.

Also returning this year will be the immensely popular Trail Shoot Out, also being presented on Sunday, July 14. Like the Costume Showmanship class, the Trail Shoot Out is open to all horses and exhibitors. The entry fee is $75 with $50 of that added to the class’s jackpot.

“Both are fun classes and both are open to all horses –Palomino, Palomino Bred and AQHA entries,” Guthrie said.

Ranch competitors will be happy to see AQHA Special Event Ranch Riding classes for Open, Amateur and Youth competitors.

“We are adding Working Western Rail to the AQHA Special Event under two judges,” Guthrie explained. “Last year we only had one judge.”

The entry fee is $30 for each class with a $10 AQHA fee per judge.

started on Sunday, July 14. The day begins with Trail classes for Open and Amateur competitors as well as for Challenged Horsemen. Ranch Trail classes dominate the afternoon, concluding the day with the Trail Shootout.

The rest of the schedule is packed full with Open and Amateur Halter, Under Saddle, working and speed events.

This year’s World Show gets under way with Youth Ranch classes on Wednesday, July 10. Youth competition continues through Saturday, July 13 when Youth Team Tournament, the Max Eisenberg Sportsmanship Award, Youth Golden Horse Awards and Youth Palomino High Point Awards are presented.

Trail competition gets the Open portion of the World Show

The Palomino Horse Breeders of America takes pride in its reputation of a family friendly organization with plenty of emphasis on fun and entertainment. That will be evident as well at this year’s World Show as the Youth competitors host their theme days – Neon, Camo, Sports and Palomino Throwback – and visitors are treated to a Street Party, which includes both food and musical entertainment.

Judges for this year’s show include: Richard Spinks, Charlene Carter, Sherry Haynes, Casey Orr, Dave Parlier, Karen Sartain, Bennie Sargent and Louis Hufnagel.

The first deadline for World Show entries is May 15. For additional information on the 2024 Palomino World Show and Youth World Show, including sponsorship opportunities and schedule, visit the association’s website at www.palominohba.com.

2024 PHBA convention full of fun, business

Happy Spring PHBA Family. Hard to believe we are already three months into 2024. The 2024 Convention was again a big success. We had 184 join us in Tulsa, Oklahoma earlier this month.

Highlights from this year's convention include an amazing Welcome Reception hosted by PHBA and the Heritage Foundation, with special thanks to Carmen O’Donnell for inviting our live music by Dalton Webb. Thanks to all who attended and kicked up their heels on the dance floor. I think it was a great way to start the week.

The festivities resumed on Friday Night with our annual live Benefit Auction, which again was a rousing success raising over $20,000 when combined with the silent auction totals this year. A big thank you to this year's committee headed up by Matthew Heinz. We want to also thank auctioneers Mike and Brian Bendele for once again doing an awesome job. The week ended with the Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony on Saturday night. This is always an amazing night where those who have worked hard all year are recognized for their achievements. Whether you won an All-Around Award or were first in your class for the year, I want to say again Congratulations, job well done. In addition, the Hall of Fame inductees, Amateur Board members, and Open Board members were announced for 2024.

We didn’t just have fun, as always at the PHBA Convention, standing and ad hoc committees met over three days to discuss the business of PHBA. There were many rule change proposals this year and once those are ratified by the executive board will be available on the website for review.

The 2024 PHBA World Championship Show in Springfield, Illinois July 8-20 is fast approaching. This year’s world show is gearing up to be one of our biggest and best yet. The schedule includes two AQHA Ranch Classes, Ranch Riding and Ranch Rail, offered in the Youth, Amateur, and Open divisions for 2024. This is in addition to all the wonderful PHBA and Palomino Bred Classes you know and love.

The World Show would not be possible without all our great sponsors. If you would like to support your World Show by sponsoring a class or two, or by having an ad in the World Show Program visit the website for details. Don’t hesitate, ads are due May 25 and you don’t want to be left out.

I hope to see you all down the road and please support our APAs. Good luck, have fun, and safe travels.

Amateur members urged to reach out to others

My name is Carmen O’Donnell. I am the newly elected president of the PHBA Amateur Association. I have been a member of PHBA for over 30 years. I would like the introduce you to our 2024-2025 Amateur Board: Past President Helen Fleming, of Mississippi; President Elect Susie Arbo, of Missouri; Vice President Alisa Wold, of Minnesota; Vice President Ashley Meeks, of Wisconsin; Treasurer Michelle Kelley, of Tennessee; and Secretary Lisa Eilkenberry, of Indiana. Our three appointees are: Alecia Heinz, of Iowa, Shelley Tooley of Wisconsin; and Perri Williams, of Mississippi.

My goals as president include promoting the Amateur Association while increasing membership and helping promote PHBA. I would ask all the amateurs to pick at least one show circuit to show at outside your home APA. With rising costs of facilities and associated costs, a lot of APA’s are struggling. Bring a friend.

The national convention was held in March. Delegates from all over this nation traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the business of helping PHBA move forward in the equine industry. Proposed rule changes were addressed both in committees and at the board of directors meeting. The results will then go to the Executive Board for review. Those approved will be implemented in 2025. The evening activities included good food, music and dancing, silent and live auctions. Wayne Williams of “Speaking of Horses” was there and filmed portions of the activities.

The Executive Board has reworked both the corporate and class sponsorship program to make it possible for everyone to participate and I encourage all of our members to go to the website to read the changes and participate. At $150 per class, it puts it within reach of most of us. Go out and talk to your fellow members and those you do business with and see if they will do a sponsorship.

The PHBA World Show is coming up soon. Watch the website for deadlines and get those entry forms ready.

Spring is almost here. Better weather is on the horizon. No more blankets to take off and on. Social media is full of new four-legged babies, and I hope to see all these palomino and palomino bred babies at the world show. Get those horses ready, get those health papers updated and get that truck and trailer serviced.

PHBA is a welcoming, family-oriented association. A youth can show anyone’s horse in the youth classes. Their family does not have to own the horse. (Exception: youth cannot exhibit a stallion in a youth class). If you know of a youth that could do it, load them up and go show. If you are at a show and see a new face, introduce yourself and offer a helping hand when needed, make them feel welcome. If you are at a non-PHBA event, tell them about us, encourage them to visit a show and buy a membership.

Fundraisers top youth agenda at convention

Hello everybody! We are now a couple of months into 2024, so you know what that means, the 2024 show season is kicking off.

Thanks to all of those who took the time to join us for our annual Palomino Convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma this year. It was so great to see so many new faces. In our Youth meeting, the room was packed to the brim with long-time and new youth members sharing ideas and thoughts on how to make our organization better.

During our meeting, fundraiser ideas at the World Show were discussed, such as, pie in the face and duck toss, both of which have been huge hits for the past few years. A reminder to all of the youth: Keep working hard to secure sponsors for our classes and championship buckles for our World Show this July.

I am happy to share that our Senior Sunset event will continue again, with fantastic cookies being provided by Melia, Kaitlyn, Steve, and myself. For those of you who may not have attended a Senior Sunset event in the past, it is a special time for seniors to reflect on all the great memories they have made throughout their show experience. I encourage everyone to attend even if they haven’t graduated yet or graduated ten or more years ago. This event is a great way to welcome our youth into a new chapter of their lives as Amateurs. As a bonus, delicious cookies will be provided to everyone who attends.

On to business, this year at convention we brought back a tradition that was done in years past. The Youth Board members went from table to table before the Awards Banquet in an attempt to persuade new sponsors for placings prizes for our World Show classes and the awarded buckles, which was highly successful. We received more than $1,500, and more was pledged to us (because of forgotten wallets/purses). I am so proud of my board members for the hard work they put in for our great organization. We are also deeply thankful to all of the generous donors who help keep our organization going strong. A special thank you to all who support us on a yearly basis.

For those who would like to get involved with sponsoring World Show classes, buckles, or prizes, please reach out to our office at yellahrses@palominohba.com.

Last but not least, the Midwest Horse Fair (MWHF) is approaching very soon. Last year over 60,000 people attended, which was the second highest recorded attendance. Hopefully, this means this year there will be even more people visiting our booth. For those unfamiliar, MWHF is a multi-breed horse fair with hundreds of vendors and a large number of educational opportunities throughout the weekend. Our goal is to boost PHBA registration numbers and give all the youth and adults educational opportunities they cannot find anywhere else.

Competitors attend for huge payouts and to support a great cause

When North Carolina trainer Keith Miller lined up in the $50,000 Added 3-Year-Old Novice Horse Hunter Under Saddle slot class at the March To The Arch, he felt good about his ride on ItsGonnaBeALongNight.

The 2021 bay mare by Iron Enterprise and out of Majorly Blue Skies, had given him her all.

“She really was pretty perfect. We didn’t have any spooks, bobbles, missteps, breaks, trips, etc.,” Miller said. “Those types of things are the absolute worst. They aren’t anyone’s fault per se but it stinks when they happen. We were thrilled with a solid performance and hoped that it would be enough, with such a strong pen of horses.”

It was. When the judging was complete Miller and ItsGonnaBeALongNight earned a check for $11,500 for owner Jamie Bishop, of Dubuque, Iowa.

There was a tie for Reserve between Heres To The Blue with Kaitlin Hutchinson in the irons, and Jus Be Good, shown by Amber Hanson Pickard. Heres To The Blue, sired by Good I Will Be and

The

Ride was

by

Nancy Sue Ryan, and is owned by Tali Terlizzi. Jus Be Good, sired by Good Better Best out of Jus Sayin was bred and is owned by Sarah Jackson Vance.

Miller almost didn’t get the chance to show in the class at all. Although he had a customer’s horse entered in the slot class, it was sold just a month prior to the event.

out of

First

bred

Text Corine S. Borton Photos Jeff Kirkbride & Courtney Ament

“Wade and Laura Spell had her entered,” Miller explained. “I had mentioned something to the Spells about not having one, and they graciously offered for me to show ItsGonnaBeALongNight.”

Ironically, Miller remembered seeing her on Facebook when she was just a yearling and thought she was absolutely stunning.

Miller credits the Spells with having the mare perfectly prepared.

“She wasn’t too tired, but completely focused,” Miller said. “She let me show her and place her wherever I wanted. She’s a great trotter, cantered well, and her top-line was so consistent. And she’s beautiful.”

Between the 3-Year-Old Novice Horse Hunter Under Saddle and the 3-Year-Old Novice Horse Western Pleasure slot classes held during the March To The Arch March 1317, at Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, there was $150,000 in added money, making the show one of the most lucrative in the industry for rail competitors.

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Katie Green is pictured on the opposite page taking a victory lap after winning the 3-Year-Old & Over Open Western Pleasure Slot Class at the 2024 March To The Arch aboard FancyDontLetMeDowwn and Keith Miller (bottom) collected $11,500 for winning the 3-Year-Old & Over Hunter Under Saddle Slot class with ItsGonnaBeALongNight. On this page (top) Nancy Ditty shows Machine Made Gold to a win in the 4-Year-Old $10,000 Limited Horse Non-Pro Western Pleasure. At right, RJ King and Loook Whos Lopin, winners of the 4-Year-Old $5,000 Limited Horse Open Western Pleasure.

Florida trainer Katie Green collected $23,000 for her win in the 3-Year-Old & Over Open Western Pleasure Slot class aboard FancyDontLetMeDowwn, sired by Machine Made and out of HP Only The Best, owned by John McNichol. Reserve Champion in the class was Made Ona Blue Moon, also sired by Machine Made and out of OnaImpulsiveCowgirl, owned by Cynthia Kaufman and shown by Brett Parrish. The pair took home a check for $14,000.

Doug Landon founded the March To The Arch in 2005 after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. The show debuted in St. Louis, Missouri and has since raised over $1 million for cancer research and $80,000 for Cook Childrens Hospital. In 2021 the event was moved to Fort Worth, Texas and the organization teamed with Cook Children’s Hospital. Over the years March To The Arch has presented the hospital hundreds of thousands of dollars and has also donated funds to the AQHA and the NSBA Crisis Fund.

“We love the March To The Arch and what it stands for,” Miller said. “I’m always in awe when I’m riding in the early morning hours with all the big checks and the large dollar amounts that have been donated in the cause of Cancer. It’s refreshing to see a horse show that is giving back to a greater cause. Doug and Tara are amazing hosts and accommodate everyone to the absolute best of their ability; they make everyone feel welcome and are grateful for everyone single person that comes and supports and their great cause.”

Miller also appreciates the industry supporting Novice classes for the hunt seat horses.

“Some of them just aren’t ready as 2-year-olds and these classes give us time and a place to let our horses grow, develop and get trained a little bit slower. We love it and will definitely be back,” Miller added.

To be eligible for the Limited Horse Hunter Under Saddle Slot Challenge, horses could not have won a World or Congress title and must have had earnings under $3,500. The entry fee of $1,000 was due on Jan. 15 or late entries of the initial $1,000 fee plus $1,000 late fee were accepted up to March 1.

In addition to the slot classes the March To The Arch offered 21 additional money classes. s

In the 4-Year-Old $5k Limited Horse Open Western Pleasure Loook Whos Lopin, sired by The Lopin Machine and out of Whos All Invited, took top honors with RJ King in the saddle for owner Perry Glen Jackson. Reserve Champion was Doubl Or Nothin, sired by Certainly A Vision out of Nice To Be Best, owned by Haley Purkapile and shown by Shannon Curl Holbin. Third was Machine Made Gold, sired by Machine Made and out of AintSayinShesAGoldDigger, owned by Ditty Up LLC and shown by Rusty Green.

Purkapile then showed Doubl Or Nothin to a win in the 4-Year-Old $5k Limited Horse Non-Pro Western Pleasure. Jackson and Loook Whos Lopin claimed Reserve honors and Ill Be The Only RV, sired by Only In The Moonlite out of Ill Be A RV Machine placed third with owner Alexa Frencl in the saddle.

In the Maturity Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle, Amanda Smith rode Shop Class, sired by Mechanic out of HoosSkyline, to a win while Reserve Champion was Maximum Quarantime owned and shown by Megan Brown.

In Pats Honor won the 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle with Erin Shapiro Boatwright in the irons, earning $294. In Pats Honor is sired by Signature Of Honor out of One Hot Jazzy and was bred by Dr. April Speyer. Reserve in the class was Boys Are Better, sired by Good Better Best and out of Huntin Only Blue, bred by Magnuson Farm, owned and shown by Carrie Ann Warren, earning $180.

Nancy Ditty, of Ocala, Florida, piloted Machine Made Gold to a win in the 4-Year-Old $10,000 Limited Horse NonPro Western Pleasure. The palomino mare, bred by Rosa Byrnes, was sired by Machine Made and is out of AintSayinShesAGoldDigger. Doubl Or Nothin and Haley Purkapile were Reserve.

In the 3-Year-Old NonPro Western Pleasure, Hillary Timchak rode Up To Know Good to Championship honors. The sorrel mare is sired by Hay Goodlookn and is out of Momma Knows Best. She was bred by Capital Quarter Horses, LLC. Reserve Champions were Nancy Ditty and Forever Twisted, sired by Gone Viral out of Forever Kool, and bred by Ditty Up LLC, Ocala, Florida.

Blake Britton piloted Ginny From The Block to a win in the 4-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure. Sired by RL Best Of Sudden and out of Certainly A Goodbar, Ginny From The Block was bred and is owned by Beth McNichol. Reserve in the class was My Popcorn Machine, sired by Machine Made and out of Shes Suddenly Hot, shown by Becca Britton for owner Jamie McWhinney.

Kamiah McGrath showed Kamouflage Me Dark to a win in the Green Horsemanship. Kamouflage Me Dark, bred by Charlene Vanness, was sired by Dark And Available and is out of Assets Little Vixen. There was a tie for Reserve be-

tween MyLittle Red Corvette, ridden by Ronda Sullican and The Zizzle Zone, shown by Dr. Bridgett Benedict. MyLittleRedCorvette was sired by Mechanic and is out of Dynamic Zippo and was bred by Dry River Stallion Station, The Zizzle Zone, was sired by One Hot Krymsun out of Zizzles Hot Impulse and was bred by Rebecca Bailey, of Batavia, Ohio.

In the $2,500 Horse/$2,500 Rider Western Pleasure, Just Keep It Classy took top honors. Sired by Lazy Loper out of Certainly A Classic, Keep It Classy was shown by Lane Ready for owner Donna Isgett.

Easy Peazy, sired by Easy On The Eyez and out of TreatMeLikeALady claimed victory in the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle with Kara Flentje aboard, earning $362. Easy Peazy was bred by Marissa McLeod and is owned by Flentje Enterprises. Reserve in the class was Best Be An Asset, sired by Good Better Best out of Ally Baba. Best Be An Asset was bred by Susan & Brianna Simons, and is owned and was shown by Addison Luther collecting $241.

Jessica Botke piloted Double O Sevn, sired by Lazy Loper out of Sweet Center Gucci to a championship title in the $5,000 Limited Horse Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle.

Give Me A Good Alibi took top honors in the Maturity Open Hunter Under Saddle with Beth Case in the irons for owners Michelle Bauer and Sheila Gooding, collecting $282. Reserve in the class was Good Ol Boys Club, owned by Tali Terlizzi and shown by Jamie English.

Keith Miller was in the irons for owner Dr April Speyer when In Pats Honor won the 4-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle, earning $817. Reserve was Al My Rowdy Friends, sired by Allocate Your Assets out of This Version Glows, with Jamie English in the irons for owner Nicole McAllister.

Over $132,000 in addded money awarded at 2024 event

The 2024 Arizona Sun Circuit featured fantastic weather, big prizes and tough competition.

Show officials reported a total of 26,625 AQHA entries plus NRHA, NRCHA, NSBA and special event entries.

Over $132,000 in added money was awarded the event held March 1-10 at West World in Scottsdale, as well as 37 champion saddles; Rod Patrick boots for Best of Show

winners in 10 divisions; saddle pads, trophies, buckles, Sun Circuit spurs and custom champion rings from Sami Fine Jewelry. Trail

A total of 24 entries vied for a portion of the $10,000 added NSBA Four & Five-Year-Old Open Trail Futurity. When the scores were tallied there was a tie for the top spot between One Heartbeat Away, a 2020 chestnut mare by Heart Stoppin out of Lope

Photos Corrine S. Borton Photos Jeff Kirkbride

With Grace, owned by Catherine Finger and shown by Jess Albion Bergantzel and Flat Out Frosted, a 2019 red roan gelding by VS Flatline out of Good N Frosted, owned by Lisa Stewart and shown by Ashley Dunbar-Cloc. Each took home $2,954.40.

Western Pleasure

Hart To Hart, collected $839.40 for her win in the $1,000 added NSBA 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure. The sorrel mare sired by Heaart Stoppin out of Krymsuns Hot Scotch, is owned by Barbara Bouma and was shown by Kyra Ley. No Doubt Im Sleepn, sired by No Doubt Im Lazy out of

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On the opposite page (top) the presentation of the Parade of Heroes at the 2014 Arizona Sun Circuit. Below that, Courtney Chown riding Lopin Hottie Tottie to a win in the 3 and 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure. On the right side of the page (top to bottom) Jess Albion shows One Heartbeat Away in the 4 and 5-Year-Old Open Trail Futurity; Kyra Ley and Hart To Hart winning the 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure; Ellie Grace Royal showing Big Country Kruzer in 14-18 Youth Showmanship; and Alysia Nielson and Dark Ladie competing in the Non-Pro Green Horsemanship. On this page, a scene from the 2024 gala and Pretty Dang Good and Myles McLean-Foss showing in the 3 and 4Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle.

Sleep Machine, owned by William Cox and shown by Dillon Vaughn, was Reserve Champion, earning $559.60; Code Of Many Colors, sired by VS Code Red out of Hot Lopin Goodbar, owned by Steve & Tanya Relander and shown by Andrew Sharp, placed third.

Courtney Chown rode Lopin Hottie Tottie, sired by The Lopin Machine out of Moonlight Ventures, to a win in the $500 added NSBA 3 & 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure, collecting a paycheck of $459.60. Reserve went to The Way I Talk, sired by VS Goodride out of Rosies Hot Ticket, owned and shown by Alicia Ritsema, winning $306.40. Bill Cox finished third riding No Doubt Im Sleepn.

Eleven competed in the $500 added NSBA 3 & 4-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Western Pleasure with Dr. Candice Hall collecting $441.32 and first place showing Queen Ov Hearts, sired by Machine Made out of HP Only

The Best. Reserve Champions were Lady Marmalade, sired by Machine Made out of Cool Cruzen Lady, and Samantha Foust, taking home a check for $350.46. Third Place went to The Glow Getter, sired by VS Code Red out of No More Doubts, and Holly Phalen.

Hunter Under Saddle

Pretty Dang Good won the $1,000 added 3 & 4-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle with Myles Mclean-Foss in the irons for owner Eric Mendrysa. The 2020 bay gelding, sired by Good Better Best and out of Pretty Assets, earned $599.63 for the win. Reserve Champion was Easy Peazy, sired by Easy On The Eyez and out of TreatMeLikeALady, owned by Flentje Enterprises, and shown by Beth Case, collecting $466.38. All Fancy Like, a bay overo stallion by All Time Fancy and out of These Bobbin Irons, owned by Bret Sanders and shown by Katie Cochran, placed third.

Kara Flentje rode Easy Peazy to a win in the $1,000 added Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle, earning an additional $719.70. Bret Sanders placed second with All Fancy Like winning $479.80.

For the third straight year the NSBA presented a special Heroes on Horses program. Guests were invited to carry a flag into the show arena in the Parade of Heroes that preceded competition. They were joined by members of the Scottsdale Mounted Police, VFW flag bearers representing all the armed services, several veterans and the somber leading of the riderless horse honoring all those who lost their lives in service. A Heroes on Horses Western Pleasure class followed with veterans from local therapeutic riding programs competing.

In addition to the competition in the show pens, the Sun Circuit presented a gala that featured talent, costume and dance competitions. For additional information on the Arizona Sun Circuit visit www.suncircuit.com.

Hou�� Huff

Indiana professional trainer enjoys building relationships with the horses in his care

Larry Williams, Shane Rux & Jeff Kirkbride

For 27-year-old Houston Huff, of Evansville, Indiana, the best part about his job as a professional trainer is building relationships

“I think of them as humans more times than not,” he explained. “They all have their unique personalities and I love trying to figure them out and getting on the same wavelength as them.

Huff has been training professionally for several years now –as an assistant to Gil Galyean, of Oklahoma, and then to Casey Willis at Masterson Farms LLC in Tennessee. But since 2020

“I have always been a pretty independent type person so I think the main reason for wanting to go out on my own is to just have the freedom to do what I want. Growing up I have shown Reining and Roping horses as well, and kind of missed doing some of that when I was strictly doing the Pleasure.”

At first, Huff leased stalls from Reining horse trainer Mark Turner in Evansville, an experience that turned out to be a lot of fun.

“He would get on my horses every once in a while to work on their turns if I was working on making it a better all-around contender or I would get on his sometimes to try and make them lope a little better or change leads a little better,” Huff said. “He is also an NRHA judge, who every year is invited to judge the futurity, so it was also really cool to watch videos of horses and get better insights on judging the Reining. It was a really fun first year.”

At the end of 2020 Turner sold his place so Huff, with the help of many friends and family members, built 18 additional stalls on the 28-acre farm where he grew up.

“My grandpa bought this place probably 50 years ago,” he said. “The main barn has 18 stalls plus an indoor arena. There

What goes on inside the operation is far more important.

“I specialize in starting 2-year-olds and training and showing American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Western Pleasure and futurity horses,” he said. “I love starting colts. My passion is starting colts. Whether they are the top tier pleasure horse, or one that will eventually make a great all-arounder, I am confident I can put a solid foundation on them in order to have a successful career with me or someone else. A few horses in the barn are doing different events but the majority of my horses are Western Pleasuredriven. Recently I have acquired a few rope/ ranch horses of my own but those are my ‘spare time fun horses.’”

Huff describes his methods as slow and focused on building a solid foundation.

“I try to instill alot of confidence in my young horses and give them plenty of real-life jobs/experiences,” he said. “For example; on a colt that I have 45 days of riding, if he/she just isn’t understanding what I’m trying to teach that day, I might go ride out to the pasture and open/close some gates or go grab another horse from the pasture that is turned out and pony it back in to its’ stall. I feel like doing little things like that make them solid citizens. It’s good for their brains to be able to take a break and not feel that pressure of day-to-day training. Most times the next day in the arena will be so much better.”

is an old cattle barn my grandpa built a long time ago that I gutted and built six more stalls in and then the barn that my dad and Aunt Jeane grew up in has five stalls. We rebuilt that. In total, I have 29 stalls plus a handful of dry lots with sheds where I keep colts in or house broodmares and babies.”

In addition there are five other small turnouts, a walker, and a few larger pastures, a small insulated indoor arena that comes in handy in the winter months.

“My outdoor arena is 120-by-175 feet and I am preparing to do some reconstruction on it to turn it into a roping arena as well,” Huff explained. “It is not the fanciest place in the world, but I have a lot of pride in it since I put so much work into what it is today.”

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Houston Huff is pictured on the opposite page riding Battarang at the 2021 NSBA World Show and in win photos on (left to right) Lopin Lexxus at the 2023 Quarter Horse Congress; VS Looks Like A Lady at the 2023 Madness; and Battarang at the 2021 NSBA World Show. On this page he is shown (top) at home with two of his training horses and below (left to right) congratulating Kevin Spicer, for his Reserve in the L2 3-YearOld Non-Pro Western Pleasure at the AQHA World Show; with his high school baseball team members; and with his family.

Over the years, Huff has had the opportunity to have a hand in the training and exhibiting of such decorated horses as: Battarang, Always Seymour, VS Looks Like A Lady, Lopin Lexxus, Redwine Or Moonshine, Got Real Troubles, KM Nothin Better, KM Betcha I’m Best, KM Party For Two, KM Time Machine, DR Phil Good, Top Shelf Martinii, GW Jack Bar, KM CheersToTheBest, Mo Money, Whiskey MadeMeFrisky, Willy’s Goodride, Mmade To Order, IWillBeAGoodRV, Best To Be Zippin, Boyd Crowder, How Bout This Lady, Two Legit To Quit.

He is especially proud of winning the $10,000 Limited Horse Open Western Pleasure Maturity at the National Snaffle Bit Association’s World Show on Battarang in 2021.

Following his graduation from Reitz High School in Evansville, Indiana Huff attended the University of Southern Indiana on a Division-II Baseball scholarship. He was the varsity team’s starting first baseman from his sophomore to senior years. He is just a couple of classes away from earning a degree in marketing.

You can reach Houston Huff on Instagram and Facebook under Huff Performance Horses.

Trainer Profiles are part of InStride Edition’s editorial content. If you know someone who would make a good subject for a trainer profile email Corrine Borton, Editor, at: CorrineBorton@InStrideEdition.com.

DOG BITES

by Katherine Jarve

If your dog accompanies you to a show you should be aware of potential liabilities

Most horse people are also dog people. If you don’t have your own pooch, your trainer or barn mate likely does. Dogs are everywhere at horse shows. They hang out at the stalls, come up to the show pen, and most definitely sniff their way to the food stand. While horse owners may concern themselves with liabilities associated with horse ownership, you should also be aware of potential liabilities associated with our other four-legged friends – dogs.

What happens if your dog bites or causes injury to another while you’re at a horse show? Can you be sued? The answer is yes. You could be held legally accountable for paying for medical bills and damages. Just about every state has a defined legal rule for dog owners’ liability arising from dog bites. The states vary, but in general there are three basic legal principles.

“One Bite” law. Although abolished in most states, “one bite” laws hold a dog owner is legally responsible for injuries caused by the dog if the owner knew the dog was likely to cause an injury. Essentially, the dog is allowed “one free bite” or other aggressive act against someone before you’re considered on notice of any dangerous or vicious propensities. After that “one bite,” you’ll be liable for injuries caused by your dog. The “one bite” law has now been largely replaced with strict liability statutes (discussed below); however, states including Georgia, New York, and Texas still follow the “one bite” principle.

freely roaming the show grounds. Importantly, negligence laws don’t just apply to dog bites. You could also be held liable, for instance, if your overly friendly and excited Great Dane accidentally knocks someone over causing injury.

So what can you do to reduce your exposure? First, keep a close eye on your dog. Don’t allow your dogs to freely roam the horse show. Keep them on leashes at the fairgrounds, especially when up at the riding rings or show pen. Many fairgrounds require that dogs be on a leash at all times; however, it is always a good idea to keep your dog on a leash while out in public regardless of what the fairgrounds or what state and local leash laws may require. Alternatively, you can keep your dog back at the stalls or in the horse trailer or motor home.

If your dog has a history of showing aggressive behavior, exercise caution in allowing others, especially children, to approach, handle or keep your dog.

This way, your dog is secure and staying out of trouble. Of course, remember to keep plenty of food and water out and move your dog out of hot metal trailers in the heat.

Strict Liability. Now, most states, including California, Michigan and New Jersey, have done away with the traditional “one bite” law and have enacted strict liability statutes. These laws are “zero tolerance” and impose liability on dog owners for just about every injury that your dog causes. There is no one “free” bite so to speak. You will be responsible regardless of whether your dog has bitten someone in the past or whether you knew your dog was aggressive or dangerous. It does not matter that you did everything you could to restrain your dog or try to prevent the bite. Of course, there are a few exceptions. Even in a strict liability state, dog owners are usually not liable when your dog bites (1) a trespasser or someone who is not lawfully on the property or (2) someone who provokes the dog.

Negligence. Some states simply use ordinary negligence principles in assessing dog-related liability. Under this theory, you can be liable for injury that occurred because you were unreasonably careless (negligent) in controlling your dog. For example, failing to adequately supervise a dog or failing to keep your dog on a leash. Nearly every horse show requires dogs to be on a leash; however, we’ve all seen unsupervised dogs

Second, evaluate your dog for aggressive behavior. If your dog has a history of showing aggressive behavior, exercise caution in allowing others, especially children, to approach, handle or keep your dog. You may consider warning others of known aggressive behavior.

Finally, look at your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy to see whether there is coverage for dog bites and whether your dog is covered. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to refuse to cover certain dog breeds, including Pit Bulls, Dobermans, and Rottweilers. In the event that a lawsuit is filed, your insurance company may provide a defense and pay damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to the limits over your coverage.

Katherine Jarve is a partner at the Marlton, New Jersey law firm of Jarve Granato Starr, LLC. She is licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and maintains a practice in personal injury and civil litigation, including equine related issues. Katherine spent her childhood competing on the national AQHA show circuit. This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. If you have a specific legal question or problem, consult with an experienced equine law attorney. Questions, comments or suggestions can be e-mailed to kjarve@nj-triallawyers.com.

SPRING VACCINATIONS

by Tony Hawkins, DVM

To insure your horse remains healthy protect them against core diseases

“Healthy as a horse” starts with spring vaccinations. As horses are exposed daily to the environment, wildlife and mosquitoes that transmit the five core equine diseases, it’s important to follow the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) core equine disease vaccination protocol. Make sure horses are vaccinated yearly against Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, West Nile virus, rabies, and tetanus.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) defines core vaccinations as those “that protect from diseases that are endemic to a region, those with potential public health significance, required by law, virulent/highly infectious, and/or those posing a risk of severe disease.” Vaccinations are the foundation of your horse’s preventive health program, accompanied by deworming of course, which as a general best practice adult horses should be dewormed twice yearly – during spring and fall. Vaccinating horses during the spring helps to safeguard them ahead of peak activity from carriers of such diseases, like mosquito-transmitted diseases threatening horses with mortality rates up to 90%.

by exposure to other horses or fomites contaminated by other horses. If your horse never leaves your farm and isn’t exposed to horses outside of your farm, then they may not need protection against these diseases. If you regularly travel, send your horse to a trainer, go on trail rides or board your horse, then your horse would benefit from vaccination. If you have any questions in deciding whether your horse would benefit from any risk-based vaccines, your veterinarian would be a great resource.

Storage – It’s important to read and follow the vaccine’s label for proper storage and handling for the vaccines you select for your horse. In general, however, vaccines should be stored at a temperature of 35 to 45 degrees F and never frozen.

Vaccinations are the foundation of your horse’s preventive health program, accompanied by deworming of course, which as a general best practice adult horses should be dewormed twice yearly – during spring and fall.

The three big equine diseases transmitted by mosquitoes are West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalomyelitis, and Western equine encephalomyelitis. Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis isn’t typically a problem in the U.S., but there have been years with outbreaks in specific areas. These diseases can attack and inflame a horse’s nervous system.

It is important for your horse to be protected, so let’s look at the basics of vaccinating horses.

Vaccine selection – Every horse should receive the five core vaccinations, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, West Nile virus, rabies, and tetanus, a minimum of once per year. Additionally, horses with compromised immune systems (systemic diseases such as Cushing’s) or those in high-risk areas (long mosquito vector seasons) might benefit from twice-yearly vaccination.

In addition to the core vaccines, there are risk-based vaccinations available. There are several available, but the most common risk-based vaccinations protect against rhino, influenza, strangles, and Potomac horse fever. It might seem obvious, but determining whether your horse should receive these vaccines depends entirely on their risk of exposure. For example, Potomac horse fever occurs most commonly in certain geographic areas, so if your horse resides in a historically endemic location, then they should be vaccinated. Similarly, rhino, influenza and strangles are all respiratory illnesses that are spread

AAEP’s “Vaccination Guidelines” and “Vaccine Storage and Handling” serve as an excellent resource for horse owners. In the Guidelines, they offer great tips well worth mentioning here, including:

Monitor vaccine fridge temperature

Keep vaccines in the middle of the refrigerator for temperature consistency, not in the door or far back Organize vaccines according to expiration date Where to stand – When we are administering injections, I always recommend that the horse be held by a handler and not tied up. You want your handler standing on the same side as you, so if the horse jumps off to the side, both you and the handler are safe.

Needle size – When we’re talking about needle selection for intramuscular injections – depending on the thickness of the medication or vaccine that we’re administering – we typically use an 18-to-20-gauge, 1.5-inch needle.

Injection site – For injections, my preferred site is going to be the neck, and we want to stay within that injection triangle which is in front of the shoulder blade, above the vertebra column and below the nuchal ligament. If the injection site is dirty, we want to make sure to brush and clean that off before we administer the injection. We don’t need to use alcohol or disinfectant over the injection site before we administer the vaccine.

VACCINATIONS

Some horses don’t like to get poked, so sometimes I’ll recommend that you remove the needle from the syringe before you administer it and using your hands, kind of desensitize the area within the injection triangle with some vigorous rubbing, scratching and tapping. You’ll want to have the needle in your hands when you’re doing that so with one swift motion, you can poke the horse as a practice run. After you have desensitized the area following the steps above, you can attach your syringe to it and administer the injection in the same area. Another trick is that if you don’t want to remove the needle, to desensitize the area you can pinch some skin to help distract the horse and administer the injection.

Safety – Vaccines go through rigorous testing for safety before being brought to the market and they serve as an important precaution against disease risks. After receiving a vaccine intramuscularly, it is possible for some horses to demonstrate lethargy, fever, swelling and soreness in reaction to the vaccine (much like people). The reactions that horses develop to a vaccine are due to the horse’s immune system responding to the vaccine. They are generally mild, self-limiting and often don’t require treatment. Forcing exercise for 20 to 30 minutes twice daily for three days after vaccination will help to minimize muscle soreness. If your horse has a severe reaction, such as severe lethargy, hives or abscess formation, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Horse owners can submit vaccine reactions to vaccine manufacturers, too.

Keep these thoughts in mind as you shield your horse from disease risks. Visit ValleyVet.com to continue learning about horse health.

Valley Vet Supply Consulting Veterinarian, Tony Hawkins, DVM, attended Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to his role on the Technical Service team at Valley Vet Supply, Dr. Hawkins owns a mixed-practice veterinary clinic in Northeast Kansas and is treasured by the community for his care across species. He is greatly involved in cattle health, including processing and obstetrical work, as well as providing hands-on care for horses and pets through wellness appointments and surgery.

BUZZ

ON THE WEB

(www.instrideedition.com)

(IN) LIFE

Professional trainers Clayton and Carli Jerrell welcomed their first child, a son, on March 21. The new arrival, named Wyatt Alan Jerrell, weighed 8 pounds, 13.5 ounces and was 20 inches at birth. Clayton and Carli own and operate Jerrell Performance Horses in Newburgh, Indiana.

AQHA Amateur competitor Meg DePalma

ROBIN FRID, NANCY SUE RYAN AND ART O’BRIEN HONORED

AQHA ANNOUNCES 2023 RECIPIENTS OF PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Pye and her husband, Preston, of North Augusta, Georgia, welcomed their first child, a son, on March 21. The new arrival, named Noah Van Pye, weighed 6 pounds and 11 ounces and was 21 inches at birth.

(IN) DEATH

Former Pinto Horse Association of America executive vice president and chief operating officer Joe Grissom passed away on March 18, at his home in Frankfort, Indiana. Mr. Grissom served in those roles for PtHA from 1988 until his retirement in 2004 and remained a consultant. He founded and was president of the Color Breed Council, and was involved with the NSBA judges’ education and testing events that have become the International Equine Judges Seminar. He was a member of the executive committee of the Indiana Saddle Horse Association and past president of the Indiana Pinto Horse Association. He was a life member and Hall Of Fame inductee into the Pinto Horse of America. Memorial contributions can be made to the Joe Grissom Pinto Youth Scholarship Fund through the Pinto Heritage Foundation. Visit www.pinto.org.

The American Quarter Horse Association recently announced the 2023 Nutrena Don Burt AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year, Nutrena AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year and Most Valuable Professional award winners.

Robin Frid

The 2023 Nutrena Don Burt AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year is Robin Frid of Pilot Point, Texas. Frid and his wife, Jenny, own and operate Robin Frid Show Horses where they specialize in all-round show horses. Frid has had a very successful career winning both AQHA World Show and Congress championship titles. He has also coached many youth and amateur exhibitors to championship titles. He mentors many trainers and is sought after for advice by many trainers.

Not only is Frid a respected trainer, but he has spent countless hours giving back to AQHA. He goes above and beyond to assist at the state and national level. Frid has served as the chairman of the AQHA Professional Horsemen’s Council, Show Committee, and Show Council, and currently chairs the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission. He has also been very active with his state affiliate, the Texas Quarter Horse Association, including serving on the board of directors and as TQHA president.

Frid has been an AQHA Professional Horseman since 2011 and an AQHA

member since 1994. His other accomplishments include being named 2022 AQHA Most Valuable Professional. He has held his AQHA judges card since 2007.

Nancy Sue Ryan

The 2023 Nutrena AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year is Nancy Sue Ryan of Nocona, Texas. Ryan has dedicated her life to promoting and bettering the American Quarter Horse both inside and outside the arena. She owns and operates Show Stop Farm, one of the leading breeding farms in the country. As the breeder of multiple AQHA World Show and Congress champions and reserve champions, Ryan’s passion about the care of the American Quarter horse does not go unnoticed. She has earned a spot at the forefront of the industry raising some of the best horses in the show pen today.

She has not only bred but also trained multiple AQHA and NSBA world champions and reserve champions. She was inducted into the NSBA Quarter Million Dollar Club in 2010. Ryan has donated horses for competitions, judges’ education and free clinics on top of donating to the AQHA Professional Horsemen’s annual online auction. She has also hosted AQHA educational videos and played a role in the development of many young professional horsemen, mentoring them and devoting her life to the betterment of the industry.

Ryan has been an AQHA Profes-

sional Horsewoman since 1994 and an AQHA member since 1991. She received her AQHA judges card in 1993. She is also a 2021 NSBA Hall of Fame inductee and NSBA judge.

Art O’Brien

The 2023 Most Valuable Professional is Art O’Brien of Findlay, Ohio. O'Brien has more than 40 years of experience in the equine industry as a trainer, exhibitor, riding instructor, coach and judge. His focus has been primarily on showing performance horses and coaching clients at AQHA events, along with NRHA and NSBA competitions.

An AQHA Professional Horseman and an international clinician, O’Brien has won world champion titles in both AQHA and the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) in trail, western riding, western pleasure and reining, and his students have won world champion titles in 12 different events. He also holds judges cards with AQHA and NSBA and serves on the board of directors of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association.

O'Brien graduated from the University of Findlay and has dedicated much of his career to the Western Equestrian Studies program's continued growth and success. Currently, along with holding the position of director of the western riding program, O'Brien is a teaching faculty member and the head coach of the University of Findlay ranch horse team.

For details visit www.aqha.com.

ASSOCIATIONS

32 NEW RULE CHANGES (IN) APHA NEWS

The 2024 American Paint Horse Association (APHA)and American Junior Paint Horse Association (AjPHA) Leadership Gathering featured four days of opportunities to connect, convene and communicate with Paint Horse enthusiasts on the topics of rule change proposals, the APHA strategic plan and more.

Following the considerable discussions amongst committee members, state directors and members, APHA state directors passed 32 new rule changes, including one that combines the Regular Registry and Solid Paint-Bred Registry for competition purposes at APHA-approved events. Beginning January 1, 2025, all registered Paint Horses will compete together in APHA-approved events, regardless of their registry classification.

The Leadership Gathering took place Feb. 29 to March 3, in Fort Worth, Texas. Rule change proposal voting took place immediately after the Leadership Gathering concluded on March 3. State directors who attended both State Director Meetings inperson at the Leadership Gathering received the opportunity to vote.

One particular highlight of the 2024 Leadership Gathering for attendees were the four days of valuable discussion that took place between state directors, general membership, the APHA Board of Directors and staff. Included were opportunities to share input on the APHA three-year strategic plan, development of the Paynt Points incentive program proposal, rule change proposals and more.

“APHA members, directors and committee members spent much of their valuable time discussing, debating and conversing on many aspects of the rule change proposals, strategic plan and Paynt Points proposal throughout the Leadership Gathering,” APHA President Kelly Boles Chapman said.

Many other rule changes were considered. For a complete synopsis on matters addressed this year for the association visit the association’s website at www.apha.com.

PLEASURE VERSATILITY CHALLENGE

AQHA’S TOTAL PURSE THIS YEAR ESTIMATED AT $50,000 PLUS PRIZES

The American Quarter Horse Association will once again feature the versatility of the American Quarter Horse when it presents the Pleasure Versatility Challenge, held during the 2024 AQHA World Championship Show in Oklahoma City.

Some of the most talented 3-year-old American Quarter Horses will demonstrate their versatility in this year’s event which boasts a total purse estimated at $50,000 plus prizes. In addition to title sponsor Super Sires, all three class sponsors are returning for this showcase event. Returning as the Official Tack Sponsor of the Pleasure Versatility Challenge is Blue Ribbon Custom Tack.

Horses competing during the Pleasure Versatility Challenge are shown sequentially in three classes in the Jim Norick Arena: a pattern class consisting of a blending of simplified Trail and Western Riding maneuvers, which counts 40 percent; a Western Pleasure class, which counts 40 percent and a conformation class, which counts 20 .

All rules and eligibility are to remain the same in 2024 as they were for the 2023 event. Horses cannot have been shown astride in any Western Riding, Trail or any similar Pleasure Versatility Challenge Event prior to the AQHA World Championship Show official entry deadline of Sept. 16. Beginning on the official World Show entry deadline, and thereafter, horses can be shown without restriction at any competition (including the All American Quarter Horse Congress) without forfeiting PVC eligibility. There are no eligibility restrictions for the western pleasure

or conformation classes. No money earned at the PVC accrues against AQHA leveling eligibilities.

Visit www.aqha.com/worldshow for additional information on the Pleasure Versatility Challenge as the event nears.

OVER $120,000 WILL BE PAID OUT TO MEMBERS IN INCENTIVE FUNDS (IN) NSBA NEWS

The National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) has announced that its Incentive Fund program will pay out $120,043.30 to NSBA members who showed their enrolled horses in Dual-Approved and Special Event NSBA classes in 2023. The program is paying $24.73 per NSBA point earned.

NSBA’s Incentive Fund program pays the foal’s nominator, the stallion nominator and the current horse owner throughout the horse’s show career. IFenrolled horses that are shown in DualApproved and Special Event classes earn points that translate into a cash value an-

nually. Dual-Approved classes are offered at shows held by all of NSBA’s Alliance partners, including AQHA, APHA, ApHC, ABRA, IBHA, PtHA, PHBA and POA shows. Points are earned in Open, Amateur and Amateur Select classes, however Green and Novice classes do not count toward the payout.

Horses can earn IF points and payback throughout their entire show career.

The IF pays 80 percent of the total earnings to the horse owner, ten percent of the total earnings to the stallion nominator and ten percent of the total earnings to the foal nominator, on an annual basis.

To be eligible to enroll in the NSBA Incentive Fund Program, all horses must

be offspring of a stallion that sells in the NSBA Stallion Service Auction during the foaling year. You can check the status of your foal’s sire by visiting nsba.com/if. You’ll find a link to Nominated Stallions, where you can download the stallions, listed alphabetically by the year of enrollment.

If you missed the December deadline to nominate your weanling foal to the NSBA’s Incentive Fund, Breeders Championship Futurity or Color Breeders Championship Futurity, you can still enroll your yearling into the programs at an economical price until May 15. After May 15, the fees for these programs will increase.

To enroll call (847)-623-6722.

Back To Berrien ...............................86-88

Backes QH .....................................62, 95

Baker Futurity Horses .............................95

Bar H Photography ...............................99

Barger QH ...........................................95

Barry, Jon .............................................99

Blue Ribbon Tack .................................95

Boo Yah Custom Clothing .......................97

Boxell, John .........................................96

Brehm, Debby ..........................FC, 14-17

Briere, Pierre ........................................95

Brinks Hattery ........................................4

Britton, Blake .................................94, 99

Burris, Tony ..........................................94

CAC Show Horses .....................19-23, 94

Capital Qtr Horses ..........................20-27

Caplinger Qtr Horses .............................98

Chafin Perf. Horses ..............................97

Coast To Coast Trailers ............................98

Cochran Quarter Horses ..............102, BC

CR Ranchwear .....................................96

CT QH .................................................96

Custom Tails ........................................98

DAC ....................................................97

Darci’s Show Horses .............................97

Davis, Wayne & Judy ............................97

Dickerson Show Horses .................28, 99

Ditty Up ..............................................63

Dobbs Insurance ..................................94

Elite Trailers .........................................97

Equine Healthcare Int ..............................6

English Show Horses............................ 95

Felt, Eric ...............................................57

Fisher, Alan ..........................................99

Folck Insurance ....................................99

North Farm ..........................................76

Parks Perf Horses .............................70-71

Parrish Quarter Horses ...........................97

Pickard/Hanson Show Horses ...............33

Pilot Knob ............................................94

Powers, Tom ........................................99

Galyean, Gil ........................................96

Garcia Quarter Horses ...........................96

Glover/Galyean ...................................98

Golden West ........................................95

Gumz Farms ........................................98

Harris Leather ...........................74-75, 96

Holbin Show Horses .......................78-79

Horn, Ron ............................................97

Jeff Kirkbride Photography .....................96

Jones, Chris & Melissa .............................98

JML Design ..........................................95

Kathy’s Tails ..........................................96

Kendalls Western Hats ...........................94

Kennedy, Kathie ...................................97

King Show Horses ...........................24-27

Knelly, Laura ........................................95

Lakins, Kenny ...........................66-71, 94

Looney Show Horses .............................72

McLendon, Farley .....................5, 7, 9-12

Miller Show Horses ..............................18

Norfleet Marketing ...............................84

Recchiuti, Donnie ................................96

Rob Fowler Perf Horses ..................48-49

Roberts, Alyse ..................................... 94

Roberts Quarter Horses ..........................95

Rusty Green Show Horses ....................63

Ryan Geiger Photography ......................98

Shane Rux Photography .........................99

Starnes Insurance Agency ......................98

Streit, Garrett ..................................58-59

Sweet Shop ..........................................98

Tali Terlizzi Show Horses ..........2-3, 54-56

Thyfault, Missy .....................................34

Voge Show Horses ...............................19

Wheeler Show Horses ............................94

Wilkes, Lisa ....................................68-71

Williams, Kathy ...................................94

Willis Show Horses ...................FC, 13-17

World Equestrian Center ........................83

Zeitler, Mark & Judy ...................45-47,99

Zuidema Perf Horses .............................99