InStride Edition - March 2023 Issue

ADVERTISING SALES

Courtney B. Ament

WEBSITE ADVERTISING

Courtney B. Ament

TECHNICAL ANALYST

Brent Adam Borton

CIRCULATION

Lenora B. Sheppard

ADVERTISING DESIGNERS

Designers:

Courtsey Designs

Denise Hawkins

Designs By Raigen

Emajes

Excaliber Photography

Hampel Designs

Jakovich Marketing

Natalie Zvanya

Valor Designs

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Courtney Borton Ament

Corrine S. Borton

Brianna Mason

COLUMNISTS

Katherine Jarve

Jackie Bellamy-Zions

COPY & RESEARCH

Lenora B. Sheppard

PHOTOGRAPHER

Caroline Saylors

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Courtney B. Ament

Ryan Geiger

Kelly Graphics

Anna Ingram

Jeff Kirkbride

KC Montgomery

Cody Parmenter

Ruehle Photographix

Shane Rux

Larry Williams

When March To The Arch organizers announced that this year the Cancer Benefit AQHA show circuit would add a 3-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle slot class with $50,000 in guaranteed prize money, Georgia trainer Jamie English knew immediately she’d be riding a “freek.”

From the first time she and her husband, Jason, got Super Freek (Roger), a 2020 black gelding by Good Better Best and out of Shez All About Blue, into their program, they felt he would be something special. Jason spotted Roger in a pasture at Mark and Judy Zeitler’s place in Florida while on a road trip in December of 2021. He quickly got on the phone with Kelly Smith and her mother, Joan McMann, of Ontario, Canada, who were looking for their next prospect.

“Jason told me he had found a special yearling that he thought we needed to buy,” Kelly recalled. “I remember Sunni Duke telling me years ago that when Jason tells you to buy a horse that you just do it .. and Sunni sure had a lot of success .. so that’s just what we did.”

Jason and Jamie saw raw talent in the youngster and really wanted him in their program. Jason was so impressed, in fact, that he told Kelly that the youngster was a “freak” and the team decided that Super Freek should be his name.

“Judy actually put the first couple rides on Roger and told me he was so easy that it almost didn’t feel normal,” Jamie said. “When I got my turn to ride him my first thought was that he is going to be a lot of fun. It’s just so easy for him to do his job that it actually makes my job easy.”

As his training progressed, Jamie determined that it would be in the best interest of her horse, to delay Roger’s show career until he was a 3-year-old and save him for maiden and novice horse classes.

“He is a great loper and really stands up for a Hunter Under Saddle horse,” she explained. “There were some tough moments along the way but Roger has more than made up for those.”

At the Fun In The Sun Futurity, held at the Fox Lea Farm Winter Circuit in Venice, Florida in January, Roger made his show debut, winning the 3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle.”

“He was amazing,” Jamie said. “He has so much ring presence and is a blast to show. I’ve never felt a horse lope like he does in an English saddle. He just stands up and does his job.”

After the March To The Arch 3-Year-Old Slot class, Jamie plans to show Roger in 3-Year-Old and Novice Horse Hunter Under Saddle classes at all the major events.

“My mom and I have been in the Quarter Horse business for 50 years and are lucky to be able to travel to many horse shows together,” Kelly said. “We enjoy owning nice Hunter Under saddle horses and watching them develop into great show horses. We usually keep them for a year or two and then sell them to be amateur or youth horses, and then we move on to our next prospect.” s

Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Jeff Kirkbride

But it’s not always been like that. Kelly started showing horses when she was just 10 years old, competing first at open shows and quickly moving on to AQHA events. Over the course of her show career she estimates she teamed with over 30 different horses first in youth and then amateur all-around competition.

“I earned many superiors; AQHA Youth and Amateur Champions; numerous year-end winners; and owned Quarter Horse Congress Champions,” she said. “After a knee injury I stopped showing and we have focused on owning top quality Hunter Under Saddle futurity contenders for the past 25 years.”

Kelly worked at Bank Of Montreal for 30 years before retiring in 2021. She has been married to Bill Smith, a machinist since 1983. She says although he is “non-horsey” he is very supportive of her habit.

“ I am so lucky to have Bill in my life, he is so smart and talented,” she said. “Besides being a precision machinist and wood worker, he is a highly sought after fiddle champion.”

They don’t have children but do own a 2-year-old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel named Saydee and a 16-year-old rescued black cat named KitKat.

Over the years, Kelly and Joan have owned many Congress and AQHA World Champions and even the winner of the Congress 3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle futurity five times, including three in a row in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Since 2018 Kelly and Joan have had their horses in training with Jason and Jamie.

“We had a horse named Hello Handsome (a 2015 brown gelding by Coats N Tails out of Fun Lovin Luke) that Jamie showed to a top five in Green Hunter Under Saddle at the Congress. They are like family,” Kelly said, “the most honest and hard-working couple I know. My mom and I travel to the horse shows and just meet them there. I never worry about anything. Jamie and Jason always have the horses perfectly prepared and they take exceptionally good care of them.”

After Hello Handsome, Jamie rode Hez Really Exotic, a 2017 bay gelding by Good I Will Be out of Exotic And Blue, for Kelly and Joan, earning numerous futurity championships, circuit championships and a Reserve National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) World Championship title.

“The horses all love Jamie, she’s a fantastic trainer and showman,”

Kelly said. “I think her secret is the bond she develops with her horses.

They will do anything for her. Jason has a great eye. His attention to detail helps Jamie to take her horses to the next level. They make a fabulous team.”

But that’s only part of the equation. To have success in the show horse industry there needs to be good communication between a trainer and a client. In that department, Jamie says she and Jason hit the jackpot with Kelly and Joan.

“Even though Kelly no longer rides, she is supportive in many ways,” she said. “She believes in us and our program. When we say one of their horses needs something or come up with a plan for their horse, she is right there with us and does whatever she needs to do to make that happen.”

Jason English Quarter Horses, is situated on 42 acres in Madison, Georgia and includes a 30-stall barn, large outdoor riding arena, a round pen for starting colts, four large pastures and six grass turn-out lots.

Last May Jamie and Jason welcomed

their first child, a son, Jayden Craig, who is Super Freek’s biggest fan.

“Jayden really loves Roger a lot and Roger is actually very sweet towards him,” Jamie said. Adjusting to parenthood while maintaining a busy training and show operation has not been easy but the rewards are huge.

“It has been so much fun and when things aren’t just going exactly the way they are supposed to he (Jayden) makes it so much better. I have an extremely wonderful nanny (friend) by the name of Neva May and I could not do it without her.”

They say it takes a village and Jamie says they are fortunate to have a strong one so that she and Jason can give their horses and clients the attention they need.

“I’m looking forward to showing Super Freek this year,” she said. “Kelly loves to have a 2 or 3-year-old to watch show and be a part of everything.”

It’s Jamie’s goal to show Roger to the best of his ability and hopefully sell him at the end of the year so they can keep the process going.

“Jason and I just want to keep buying, showing and selling nice horses for Kelly and Joan,” she said. “Kelly really appreciates a good horse and Roger is sure a good one. I knew she would do what it takes to bring a show horse along and do all the right things.”

Jamie English is pictured on the opposite page (top) showing Super Freek in the 3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle at the Fun In The Sun Futurity in Venice, Florida. Below that his owners, Kelly Smith and Joan McMann. On this page (clockwise from top) Jamie and Jason English, with their son, Jayden Craig, at their home in Madison, Georgia; Jamie showing Hez Really Exotic to a Reserve Championship at the NSBA World Championship Show in 2020 and Kelly with her husband, Bill, and their King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Saydee.

There’s no question about it. Show managers are making all kinds of changes to their shows in an effort to get or keep exhibitors coming. Whether it’s improved scheduling, better judges or bigger prizes.

Here are just a few of the changes in store for 2023.

MARCH TO THE ARCH

Organizers of the March To The Arch announced last fall that its 3-Year-Old & Over Slot classes will award $150,000 in guaranteed money at this year’s event, slated for March 14-19, at Will Rogers Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.

Three classes will have guaranteed payouts. There will be $100,000 awarded in the 3Year-Old & Over Western Pleasure Slot Challenge this year while $50,000 will be distributed in the 3-Year-Old & Over Hunter Under Saddle Slot Challenge and $10,000 will go to the Senior Trail Challenge.

To be eligible for the 3-Year-Old & Over Western Pleasure horses must not have won a World or Congress title and must have earnings under $5,000. The entry fee of $1,500 was due on Jan. 15 or late entries of the initial $1,500 fee plus $1,500 late fee were accepted up until March 1. The National Snaffle Bit Association sanction fee is an additional $50.

The Super Sires program will be holding a $2,000 added 3-YearOld & Over $5,000 Limited Horse Open Western Pleasure concurrent with the Western Pleasure Slot Challenge. Horses must be a part of the Super Sires program and the entry fee is $250 or $350 after March 1.

To be eligible for the 4-Year-Old & Over Hunter Under Saddle Slot Challenge, horses must not have won a World or Congress title and must have 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 until March 1. The National Snaffle Bit Association sanction fee is an additional $50.

The Super Sires program will be holding a $2,000 added 3-Year-Old & Over $3,500 Limited Horse Open Hunter Under Saddle concurrent with the Western Pleasure Slot Challenge. Horses must be a part of the Super Sires program and the entry fee is $250 or $350 after March 1.

The $10,000 added Senior Trail Challenge will run concurrent with the AQHA and NSBA Senior Trail classes during both days of the show circuit. To be eligible, horses must be shown in both classes both days. The Level 3 entry fee is $350 and the Level 2 entry fee is $250. There is an additional $50 NSBA sanction fee. This year Versatility Challenge classes will be held for both Open and Non-Pro competitors. Up to 20 online only entries were being accepted for $100 on a first-come, first served basis and closed on March 1. Entries after the deadline will be accepted if the limit has not been met. Judging will be in Horsemanship, Western Pleasure

Other added money classes include a $10,000 added Open Barrel Race Jackpot; a $1,000 added Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle; Open and Non-Pro High Low Derbies with $1,000 added and a $500 added Green Horse Non-Pro Horsemanship. 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’s. In 2021 the event was moved to Fort Worth, Texas and the organization teamed with Cook Children’s Hospital. Last year the March To The Arch presented the hospital with a check for $40,000 and has also donated funds to the AQHA and the NSBA Crisis Fund.

The show circuit, approved by the Texas Quarter Horse Association, will have six AQHA judges and four NSBA judges and it is a Non-Pro and Rookie Qualifier for the Run For A Million. The judges pool includes Robbin Jung, Michael Jung, Kelly Boles-Chapman, Chris Jones, Mark Russell, Kelly McDowall, Jimmy Daurio, Jacob Hartman and Tanya Green.

For more information visit www.marchtothearchhorseshow.com.

VIRGINIA MAIDEN/VIRGINIA SPRING BREAKOUT

The Virginia Spring Breakout, scheduled for March 2226, in Lexington, Virginia, features two brand new exciting classes this year.

For the first time, in addition to the $30,000 added 3Year-Old and Over Open Maiden Western Pleasure, the show will feature a $30,000 added 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Open Hunter Under Saddle plus a $12,500 added 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Working Western Rail class.

The 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Working Western Rail is the first of its kind in the Ranch Riding industry and will have $12,500 guaranteed money plus cash bonuses for the two highest placing Non-Pro competitors. The class, slated to run on Friday evening after the 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden

Hunter Under Saddle class, is sponsored by the Troutman Family and their stallion, A Wicked Shine.

In addition, the Troutman family, Lake Point Farm and BMG Show Horses teamed together to present a $5,000 added All-Age Non-Pro Ranch Rail Class, which will be held following the 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Western Pleasure on Saturday evening.

The Virginia Maiden Western Pleasure class has long been known as one of the highest paying slot classes offered for Western Pleasure contenders. Formerly known as the Hylton Maiden Western Pleasure Class, the event was sponsored for many years by the late Cecilia Hylton, owner of Hylton Quarter Horses in Gainesville, Virginia. Hylton introduced s

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Laura Spell is pictured (top) taking a victory lap after winning the 3-Year-Old & Over Open Hunter Under Slot Class at the 2022 March To The Arch aboard Al Be Under The Hood; and Katy Jo Zuidema congratulates Taft Dickerson for his win in the 3-Year-Old & Over Open Maiden Western Pleasure class in the Virginia Maiden last year.

the class at the Reichert Celebration to encourage trainers to refrain from pushing young show prospects. The class was moved to Hylton’s home state in 2011 and is now managed by Cameron Van Sickle assisted by Meghan Tierney.

The show circuit, sanctioned by the Virginia Quarter Horse Association, also offers a $10,000 added 3-Year-Old & Over Limited Horse Open Hunter Under Saddle; a $10,000 added 3-Year-Old & Over Open Western Pleasure; a $2,500 added 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle; a $3,500 added Maturity Non-Pro Hunter Under Saddle; a $2,500 added 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure; and a $3,500 added Maturity Non-Pro Western Pleasure.

The entry fee for the $30,000 added 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Open Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle slot classes was $750 up to Feb. 20 but entries will be accepted up until 5 p.m. the night before each class for a fee of $1,000.

The entry fee for the $12,500 added 3 & Over Maiden Working Western Rail was $500 up to Feb 20 but entries will be accepted up until 5 p.m. the night before each class for a fee of $750.

Maiden horses can not have been show astride in any event prior to the class.

To be eligible for Limited Horse classes, entries must not have won more than $2,500 in that specific discipline as of Dec. 31.

The judges pool for this year’s Spring Breakout includes: April Devitt, Casey Devitt, Clay MacLeod, Sandy Curl, Rick Christy, Dolly Chayer and Eddie Smith (special event). Additional judges include: Jim Isley, Shane Young, Steve Lackey.

The show is produced by Suzanne Gonzales (Shows By Suzanne) and is managed by Christian Jaunting (Topline Event Management). For additional information visit www.toplineeventmgt.com.

BACK TO BERRIEN FUTURITY

In its very first year the Back To Berrien Futurity awarded over $85,000 to exhibitors who traveled to Michigan for the return of competition at the Berrien County Fairgrounds.

The facility was home to the Tom Powers Futurity from 1986 until 2018 when it was announced that the futurity would be moved to Wilmington, Ohio.

Two years went by without a major event held in Berrien Springs.

That’s when Gil Galyean, Jon Barry and Charles Cannizzaro took the initiative to bring a new futurity “Back to Berrien.”

Back To Berrien returns to Michigan June 21-24 with several new classes added to the lineup, including three new Trail contests - a $1,000 added Green Trail; a $1,000 added Non-Pro Trail and a $1,000 added 3-Year-Old Trail held during the opening day’s Special Event.

“We had good discussions with Trail competitors and are happy to be adding those classes for them,” Barry said.

In addition to the new Trail classes a $1,000 added NonPro 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure has been added for Select competitors on Thursday.

And, a very special addition this year is a $10,000 added $2,500 Novice Horse Western Pleasure on Saturday. To be eligible, horses must not have earned $2,500 as of June 1.

The Super Sires program will also be presenting six Longe Line and Western Pleasure classes at the futurity, which will run concurrent with Back To Berrien classes.

Judges for this year’s Back To Berrien Futurity include: John Briggs, Mike Hay, John Boxell and Shannon Vroegh Walker. Tom Robertson will judge the Special Event.

For more information on this year’s event visit the Back To Berrien Facebook page.

THE MADNESS

Well known for its over-the-top entertainment, extravagant prizes and popular slot classes, the Madness, sponsored by the Southern Ohio Quarter Horse Association, returns to the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio.

Competition gets underway with the Pre-Madness May 5-7 followed by The Madness May 9-14.

This year, for the first time, the 3-Year-Old Maiden Western Pleasure at The Madness features $25,000 and the

Novice Hunter Under Saddle Slot Class winner will earn $5,000. The top placing Limited riders will also receive a bonus.

Organizers have also added Level 1 Select classes and Green Non-Pro classes to the schedule.

Returning to The Madness this year will be the Novice Horse Open Western Pleasure, as well as numerous NSBA classes, as well as Green and Non-Pro Trail Slot classes.

The 3-Year-Old & Over Novice Horse Hunter Under Saddle Slot Class will be featured on Wednesday, May 10 following Trail competition and $5,000 will be presented to the winner.

On Friday, May 12, 3-Year-Old Novice Horse Western Pleasure contenders will vie for the $15,000 top prize. Then on Saturday $25,000 will be presented to the winner of the 3Year-Old & Over Maiden Horse Western Pleasure Slot Class.

To be eligible for Novice Horse classes, horses must not have earned over $2,500 and/or not more than 25 points.

The Pre-Madness and The Madness are managed by An Equine Production. The Pre-Madness judges pool includes: Kerry Allen, Karen Graham, Jonathon Meilleur, Clay MacLeod, Shane Young, Doug Rath, Doug Huls and Jan Hoskin-Hay. The Madness judges pool includes: Rob Meneely, Sissy Anderson, Bruce Walquist, Kelly McDowall, Buddy Fisher, Jeffrey Pait, Holly Hover, Clint Ainsworth and Tim Finkenbinder.

For additional information visit www.anequineproduction.com.

ALL AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE CONGRESS

The All American Quarter Horse Congress, billed as the world's largest single-breed horse show, is held each year at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Last year entries topped 22,000 and officials have plenty of new attractions in store for this year’s event, scheduled for Sept. 26 to Oct. 22.

Returning to the Congress this year is the Open Versatil-

Elizabeth Baker (opposite page) shows in a Hunter Under Saddle Class at the Back To Berrien Futurity last year. On this page, Cody Conover is congratulated after winning The Madness 3-Year-Old & Over Maiden Western Pleasure with Obsessed To Be Best and Sloane Weakly after she won the 2022 Congress Small Fry Hunter Under Saddle riding Hubbout A Dance.

ity Stakes Class and Walk Trot classes for Youth and Amateur competitors, as well as many new Ranch classes, including Small Fry Ranch Riding, have been added.

New this year at the are:

• Open Breakaway Roping

• Level 1 Amateur Walk-Trot Hunter Under Saddle

• Level 1 Amateur Walk Trot Western Pleasure

• Level 1 Youth Walk Trot Hunter Under saddle

• Level 1 Youth Walk Trot Western Pleasure

• 6-Year-Old & Over Maturity Open Trail Stakes (Open and Limited divisions)

• 4 & 5-Year-Old Ranch Riding Stakes

• NYATT Ranch Riding

• Small Fry Ranch Riding

• Amateur Select Ranch Trail

• Junior Ranch Trail

• Senior Ranch Trail

• Amateur Working Western Rail

• Amateur Select Working Western Rail

• Junior Working Ranch Rail

• Senior Working Ranch Rail

• Youth Working Ranch Rail

Nominations for Congress Futurities and Sweepstakes are due on April 1 of each year, followed by sustaining payments due June 1and final payments due Aug. 1.

The Congress Futurity and Stakes classes are now open to the following breeds/registries: American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), American Paint Horse Association (APHA), Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC), American Buckskin Registry Association (ABRA), International Buckskin Horse Association (IBHA), Palomino Horse Breeders of America (PHBA) and the Jockey Club. Stakes Classes include:

• 2-Year-Old Maiden Open Western Pleasure (Open, Limited & Southern Belle)

• 2-Year-Old Maiden Open Hunter Under Saddle (Open, Limited & Southern Belle)

• 3-Year-Old Open and Limited Open Western Pleasure (Open and Limited)

• Congress Southern Belle Breeder’s 3-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure

• 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure (Open, Limited & Southern Belle)

• 3-Year-Old Open Hunter Under Saddle (Open, Limited and Southern Belle)

• NRHA Open Reining Futurity (Level 4, 3, 2, 1 & Prime Time)

In addition to the equestrian competition the Congress hosts a trade show, Sept. 27 to Oct 22, featuring everything from stable products to fashion, to horse feed and more. Visit www.quarterhorsecongress for details as they become available.

American Quarter Horse Association

Induction into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors bestowed by the American Quarter Horse Foundation. This year, the association is inducting three horses and four men in the Class of 2023: Harley D Zip, High Brow Cat, Okie Leo, Ralph Seekins, Leverne Perry, G. R. Carter Jr. and Clark Bradley.

Harley D Zip, the pride and joy of the Papendick family of South Dakota, earned a record $115,000 in AQHA Incentive Fund money, more than 6,000 AQHA points and won multiple AQHA World Championships and year-end highpoint titles. He won the year-end all-around senior horse title four times. “Harley” is the only horse in history to have won the same class in all divisions (Junior, Senior, Amateur, Select and Youth) at the AQHYA, Select, Amateur and Open world shows.

High Brow Cat, a 1988 chestnut stallion by High Brow Hickory and out of the Smart Little Lena mare Smart Little Kitty, was bred by Hanes Chatham and Stewart Sewell. High Brow Cat has progeny earnings of more than $90.8 million to date. In 2021, 12 of the top 25 cutting horse sires were sons or grandsons of High Brow Cat. On the all-time list of sires by performance money earned, “Cat” is joined in the top five by his sons Metallic Cat and Smooth As A Cat; their progeny alone have combined earnings of $91.5 million. Cat is also

the No. 2 all-time broodmare sire of horses by performance money earned, with progeny earnings in cutting alone of nearly $63 million, behind his grandsire, Smart Little Lena.

AQHA Champion Okie Leo, a 1956 sorrel stallion by Leo and out of the King mare Sorrel Sue, was bred by Bud Warren. Okie Leo sired 531 registered American Quarter Horses that went on to earn more than 4,500 AQHA halter and performance points, two AQHA Superhorse titles, 64 performance Registers of Merit, four AQHA Champion titles and nine AQHA world championships. Six of Okie Leo’s progeny also made 39 race starts. Okie Leo was one of the great “using horse” sires. He sired horses with incredible minds and conformation that solidified the versatility and using ability of the American Quarter Horse. Breeders looked to Okie Leo’s genetics to develop programs that would further the ranch horse to be cowy, have good feet to work in outside conditions and a trainable mind that made the horse a

partner with their rider. Okie Leo’s bloodlines can be seen in some of the great ranch horse stallions and broodmares of the West today, continuing to prove this all-around ability.

AQHA Past President Ralph Seekins of Fairbanks, Alaska, served AQHA as its 67th president in 2017. Prior to serving as AQHA president, Ralph served as an Alaska state senator for four years. He used that celebrity status to educate Alaskans about American Quarter Horses and help build the Quarter Horse industry in his state. Ralph, a self-described people person, used his outgoing personality to meet as many AQHA members as he could as president. His message? AQHA members need to own the Association, get involved and make a difference.

As a 40-year breeder, Leverne Perry’s best-known accomplishment was being involved in the breeding of Mr Jess Perry, a champion 2-year-old colt who became a leading sire. Mr Jess Perry was named for Leverne’s father, who is listed as the horse’s breeder and who was buried the day the colt was foaled. Mr Jess Perry had 12 wins in 21 starts with earnings of more than $687,000. His offspring have earned more than $40.8 million on the track. As a leader in the racing industry, Leverne served on the AQHA racing committee and was the executive director of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association.

Jockey, AQHA Professional Horseman and AQHA Director G. R. Carter Jr. remains atop the AQHA lists for wins with 3,906 and mount earnings of more than $75 million. Additionally, Carter has the most wins in Paint racing and in Appaloosa racing and even counts 335 victories aboard Thoroughbreds. Carter has accumulated nearly 5,000 victories (in all breeds) overall and was voted AQHA champion jockey 13 times overall.

AQHA Director Emeritus Clark Bradley was honored as the 2001 AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year and is past president of the National Reining Horse and Ohio Quarter Horse associations. The trainer is in the All American Quarter Horse Congress Hall of Fame and joined his dad, Bailey “Stretch” Bradley, in the NRHA and American Quarter Horse halls of fame. Clark served as an instructor at the University of Findlay for 26 years, coaching national championship teams, and was an AQHA, NRHA and National Snaffle Bit Association judge.

The AQHA will celebrate the Class of 2023 at this year’s American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame Induction & Reunion Celebration Sept. 15-16 in Amarillo, Texas and and their stories and artifacts are featured in the Hall of Fame located in Amarillo, TX 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.

American Paint Horse Association

The American Paint Horse Association recently announced the newest class of 2023 Hall of Fame inductees. They include:

RH Mr Imprint – This 1994 sorrel overo stallion was a three-time World and Reserve World champion at Halter and a top APHA sire. He was owned by Phil and Sue Drawdy of Fort Pierce, Florida.

Un Zip Me – The 1987 black overo mare earned 10 Amateur World and Reserve World Championships in Western Pleasure, Trail, Western Riding and Showmanship, along with three World and National titles in Open Western Pleasure. She was owned by Harlene and Russell Rowe of Long Beach, California.

Lynn Simons – A successful trainer, breeder and exhibitor from Aubrey, Texas, the late visionary was influential in establishing APHA as a top breed organization.

Fred Tabor – Involved since the 1970s, the horseman established Tabor Ranch in California and Texas, where he bred, trained and showed champion Halter horses. Recently retired, he now resides in Rancho Murieta, California.

Pat Trebesch – A supporter of APHA for more than 50 years, the horseman from Aubrey, Texas, is respected as an APHA breeder, exhibitor and former trainer, judge and coach.

Craig Wood – The former APHA president from Owenton, Kentucky, is a Paint breeder, judge and Professional Horseman and was instrumental in guiding APHA.

Hall of Fame inductees will be honored June 30 in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of the 2023 APHA Hall of Fame & Awards Celebration. Reserve your tickets now by emailing Cristin Conner at cconner@apha.com. Tickets are limited. For more information visit www.apha.com. s

National Snaffle Bit Association

The National Snaffle Bit Association added two horses and an individual to its Hall of Fame recently. The newest inductees include:

Cool Assets – An eight-time NSBA World champion gelding, Cool Assets is being inducted this year in the Show Horse category of the NSBA Hall of Fame. By Investment Asset and out of Goodbars Glamourgirl (Zippos Mr Good Bar), the 2001 gelding was owned for most of his career by Rebekah Kazakevicius.

Cool Assets, known as ‘Nemo’ was most known for his dominance in the Hunter Under Saddle arena being named AQHA World Champion in the class twice during his career. He was shown extensively by Kazakevicius in Youth and Amateur All Around events, including being named AQHA World Champion in Amateur Western Riding in 2010.

In total, he earned $45,131.73 in NSBA earnings as well as $27,434.92 in AQHA earnings and a total of 1,741.50 points between the two associations. In December 2022, Nemo passed at the home of Dr. Peter and Cindy Kazakevicius, Rebekah’s parents.

Vital Signs Are Good – Decorated show mare and legendary producer Vital Signs Are Good is being inducted in the Breeding Horse category. Foaled in 2000, Vital Signs Are Good was by Zippos Mr Good Bar and was out of Vitalism, and was owned by Joe or Karen Moran at the time of her death. As a show horse, ‘Lucy’ earned multiple AQHA world championships beginning as a 2-Year- Old in Western Pleasure all the way through her show career to winning the Senior Western Riding most recently in 2013. In total, she amassed $154,735.16 in NSBA earnings and 3,097.5 total AQHA points.

Vital Signs Are Good’s real legacy can be found among her offspring, who have earned more than $500,000 and 5,000 AQHA points. A few of her notable foals include Invest N Vital Signs, VS Flatline, VS Code Red, My Vital Valentine, VS Code Blue, Lei Z Lucy, just to name a few.

Patty Campbell - Horse trainer, owner and judge Patty Campbell of Whitesboro, Texas has dedicated her life to the promotion of American Quarter Horse and NSBA both inside and outside the arena. Patty joined the NSBA Board of Directors in 2009.

Her contributions reflect her passion for the industry and her effort to offer equal opportunity for all. During her time on the board, Patty was instrumental in bringing pattern classes to the NSBA World Championship Show including Showmanship, Horsemanship and Equitation.

She also served as the Sponsorship Chairman as well as the Youth Advisor for NSBA. She soon gained her a position on the Executive Committee and eventually served as NSBA President in 2014. While on the Executive Committee, Patty was instrumental in the purchase of the NSBA office building in Illinois and also assisted in the building the Markel Insurance Breeders Championship Futurity Yearling Sale. Patty remains a constant supporter of NSBA and its mission and continues to raise her hand to serve the association.

The 2023 NSBA Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place in August during the NSBA World Championship Show and Breeders Championship Futurity at the NSBA Honors event.

For more information visit www.nsba.com.

LEGAL EXPERTS by Katherine Jarve

Horse matters can be comlex so it’s important to hire the right attorney for your case

You have a legal issue involving a horse related matter and you know that you need an attorney, but how do you go about retaining the right attorney for your case? As we all know, horse related legal matters can be complex and may not be easily understood by non-horse people. You need to feel comfortable and confident in the attorney you choose to represent you. Therefore, it is important that you find an attorney that you trust and who understands horse-related issues. Below are some tips in helping you find and select the right attorney.

How do I find an attorney?

• Contact an attorney or law firm you have used in the past and find out if they can handle your case. Even if the attorney previously helped you with a non-equine matter, such as drafting a will or handling the sale of a home, he or she may be able to assist you with your equine matter. If not, then ask for a referral to another attorney or law firm.

• Ask friends, relatives, or business associates who have had a similar legal matter in the past and find out if they can recommend an attorney to you. They may also be able to tell you who not to use, which can be just as helpful.

• Contact your local bar association’s legal referral service and ask for a referral to an attorney that practices in the area. Legal referral services are typically free and can help you narrow down your search.

• Use the internet. In addition to simply using Google, there are several search engines, such as Avoo.com or FindLaw.com, specifically designed to help you find an attorney in your area.

• Contact me. My contact information is provided at the end of this article. I can provide you with a free referral to an attorney who handles equine related matters close to you.

Which attorney do I hire?

• Hire an attorney that is licensed in the state in which the legal services are to be provided. In cases where a lawsuit has been or will be filed, it may be necessary to retain an attorney where the lawsuit is venued. If a Florida resident purchases a horse from a Texas trainer at the Quarter Horse Congress, then the depending on the specific terms of the sale, the buyer and seller may both need to retain Ohio licensed attorneys.

• Check the attorney’s credentials. Often an attorney will discuss his or her experience on a law firm’s website. Your attorney should have the necessary legal experience and substantive knowledge involved in the matter. It is not enough that a lawyer holds him or herself out as an equine practitioner. For example, you may need a trial attorney. Some equine attorneys

are not trial lawyers. On the other hand, you may need someone to draft a sale agreement or provide some general legal advice. In that case, you may not need or want a trial specialist.

• Select a board-certified attorney, if possible. Many states recognize and certify legal specialties similar to that of medical doctors. Whenever possible, seek out board certified attorneys, especially if your matter involves litigation, such as personal injury or malpractice.

• Ask for a consultation. Many attorneys will provide a free initial consultation. During this meeting, you will likely be able to tell whether the attorney is a good fit for you.

• Ask for a proposed written fee agreement and an estimate of anticipated legal costs. Any prospective attorney should be willing to provide you with this information. If you are the plaintiff in an action, then it may be possible to retain an attor-

ney on a “contingent fee” basis. If not, then you will likely be expected to pay a retainer and hourly rate. However, you should not base your decision solely on attorney’s fee. Although it may be tempting to hire the lawyer that charges the lowest rate, it may not be the best decision in the long run. The old adage, “You get what you pay for,” is often true. An attorney’s rate is generally indicative of his or her experience and competence. Hiring an attorney that charges the cheapest rate may save you money, but may also cost you the case.

• Check online reviews. Attorneys and law firms, like most other businesses, typically have an online presence and former clients will leave reviews.

Katherine Jarve is a partner at the Marlton, New Jersey law firm of Jarve Kaplan 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.

You need to feel comfortable and confident in the attorney you choose to represent you. Therefore, it is important that you find an attorney that you trust and who understands horse-related issues.

D�n Bog�t

Georgia trainer, judge, show manager involved in many aspects of the industry

Text Courtney Borton Ament Photo Anna Ingram

Horse trainer, Professional Horseman, judge, horse Show manager, horseshoer, you name it, and Dean Bogart probably has a hand in it.

Bogart got his first introduction to horses from his parents, Wilbur Bogart and Betty Hauger. Together they showed 4-H as a family in his hometown of Taylor Ridge, Illinois. Bogart knew from a very early age that he wanted to work with horses for a living.

“It is just something I have always wanted to do,” Bogart said. “I knew very early on that I wanted to have my own

training and breeding operation.”

Bogart first went to work for Jim Dudley to learn the ropes of becoming a professional horse trainer. From there he spent a few years working under the guidance of J.R. Reichert followed by Carl and Trisha Yamber where he honed his Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle skills.

“Carl gave me the knowledge that I still use today, he was a true horseman,” Bogart recalled. “My main job was to prepare the Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle horses for Trish and Carl, many of which went on to be Congress and World Champions. I also started a lot of the colts. After I left I continued to do business and stay very close

friends with the Yambers.”

In 1995 Bogart branched out on his own and established Dean Bogart Performance Horses in Iowa before moving his business to Forsyth, Georgia in 1999.

It’s here that Bogart began concentrating on All-Around and futurity horses for Trail, Western Riding, Horsemanship, Equitation and Hunter Under Saddle and coaching a group of Novice Amateur and Select clients as well as Youth and NonPro. Over the years Bogart has had the opportunity to be a part of some of the industry’s top performers including owning and starting American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) stallion Macs Good N Plenty. He has coached many Youth and Amateur competitors to World and Congress Championships including Cydney Benes and Call Me Blazing Hot (two-time Congress Champion; Cydney and Backyard Bob (two-time National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) World Champion and Congress Reserve Champion); Cydney and Iron I A Legacy (NSBA World Champion); Anne Simmons (AQHA Select World Hunter Under Saddle and Equi-

tation Champion and Quarter Horse Congress Amateur Select Equitation); and Laurel Brower and Certifiably Natural (Reserve Congress Level 1 Amateur Select Equitation Champion.

But it’s the process of making a horse into something great that Bogart says drives him.

“I believe every horse is different and each one progresses at its own rate,” he explained. “I am definitely not big on pushing one if they’re not ready.”

That mantra has seemed to pay off for him and he continues to have success in many different disciplines at major shows across the country.

It was at a horse show in 2009 that Bogart met his wife, Tammy Schuster. They wed in a private ceremony at their farm in 2021 and together along with Tammy’s children, Cydney and Brett, they became a family. Together they welcomed a grandson, Ian, this past October.

Bogart’s operation now includes a 15-stall barn, covered arena and plenty of turnout, situated on a 10-acre farm in Monroe, Georgia.

In addition to his duties as a trainer, Bogart is also a carded judge with the AQHA, the American Paint Horse Association, the NSBA and, most recently, the National Reining Horse Association. He is frequently tapped to be a judge at some of the biggest shows and World Championships across the country. Bogart was also recently appointed to the Board of Directors for The National Snaffle Bit Association and is on the executive board at the Georgia Quarter Horse Association.

It was his love of horse shows that he had in mind when Dean and Tammy started the Fun In The Sun Extravaganza in Venice, Florida nine years ago. The NSBA sanctioned show was built on a dream to help the equine industry in the state of Florida.

“We are pretty proud of what he have accomplished in the last nine years,” Bogart said. “The show has grown into a great event at Fox Lea Farm and people come from all over to show at the beautiful facility.”

When he’s not busy judging or showing Bogart enjoys watching or attending sporting events, spending time with and vacationing with his family and maybe sneaking an ice cream every now and then.

He says his favorite part of his job is teaching a horse new things and has learned to keep things fresh with a great piece of advice he was once given.

“You do best what you know best,” Bogart recalls being told by Tammy’s father, Tully Schuster. “It’s easy to be good at something you enjoy.”

For more information about Dean Bogart Performance Horses you can visit his Facebook page or reach out to him at (478) 733-4983 or by email at DeanBogartQH@gmail.com.

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

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Dean Bogart is pictured on the opposite page with his wife, Tammy and her daughter Cydney, at their facility in Monroe, Georgia. On this page (clockwise from top) Dean is pictured with Tammy and Cydeny at the NSBA World Show; coaching a young youth client at a show; and with Tammy at their Fun In The Sun Futurity.

Allie Ar�s�

California youth off to a strong start as she transitions to AQHA competition with new show partner

Text Corrine S. Borton Photos Cody Parmenter

It’s a brand new year filled with new challenges and new goals for 16-year-old Allie Aronsen, of Atascadero, California.

Although she has built quite the impressive record showing Paints in youth competition over the past several years, Aronsen is starting all over with a new show partner and turning her attention to American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) shows.

Allie’s family recently purchased No Sneakinuponwilly (Willis), a 2008 bay gelding by Good I Will Be and out of Im Sneakin Up On You and she will be competing in Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Showmanship and Trail, under the guidance of Arturo Maestas and Jesse Jones of Maestas Show Horses.

With only three rides under her belt, Allie showed Willis to a Reserve Level 1 Youth All-Around Circuit Championship

at the Florida Gold Coast, their very first show together. They were Reserve Circuit Champions in Level 1 Youth Trail and were in the top five in Level 1 Youth Showmanship and Horsemanship. They also finished in the top five at the Gulf Coast Circuit in Level 1 Youth Showmanship and Western Pleasure.

“I was beyond happy with my results,” she said, “especially considering it was my very first AQHA show, my first show with Willis and only the third time I’d ever ridden him.”

Aronsen’s favorite class to watch is Horsemanship because it is so technical.

“I admire the individuals who compete in that class as it is very challenging,” she said.

But Allie most enjoys showing in Trail.

“I’ve been blessed to always have

had horses that enjoy Trail as much as I do,” she admitted. “It makes it ten times as much fun that way.”

Aronsen got her start in APHA competition showing Obsessive Dreamer, a chestnut gelding, at the national level.

But the one horse that helped her develop her passion for Trail was Specials In The House, a sorrel Paint gelding that she teamed with to earn several National Championships as well as a Reserve Title in Trail at the APHA Youth World Show. To take her into the 14-18 APHA Youth Division, Aronsen teamed with TooSleepyForDeadlines, a 2016 red

Allie Aronsen is pictured on the opposite page (top) with Specials In The House, the APHA gelding that Allie she teamed with to earn several National titles. Inset (top to bottom) Allie is shown showing her new horse, No Sneakinuponwilly, a 2008 bay AQHA gelding at the Florida Gold and Gulf Coast Circuit. On this page (clockwise from top), Allie is pictured with TooSleepyForDeadlines, a 2016 red roan overo mare she showed in Youth 14-18 APHA classes; with friends at her first AQHA show circuit in Florida; and with Obsessive Dreamer, her first APHA show partner.

roan overo mare by VS Flatline out of Too Sleepy For Candy.

Allie says she hasn’t been to enough AQHA shows yet to have a favorite but she loved attending the APHA Western Nationals in Vegas.

“It was one of the biggest APHA shows we attended, other than the World Show,” she explained. “It was fun to be in Las Vegas and be able to go see the city after we were done showing.”

The daughter of Nick and Tisha Aronsen, Allie got her start riding horses with her mom and grandmother.

“They got me a retired show horse when I was six and I started competing through my local 4-H club,” she explained. “From there I started doing small open shows and progressed to breed shows.”

When she is not riding or at a show, Allie enjoys spending time with friends and stays busy with school work. She completed a homeschooling program for her first two-and-a-half years of high school and just transferred to Mission College Preparatory High School in San Luis Obispo, California.

She is especially proud of the fact that she has maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout high school, even with all the traveling and competition.

But it remains her strongest passion.

“I show because I love the horses and the determination it takes to achieve your goals,” Allie explained. “I’ve always had a passion for horses and I love to be competitive.”

Allie says her hero is her dad.

“Despite not having a perfect childhood he worked so hard to be able to provide everything for my mom and I,” she said. “He is so dedicated and determined in everything that he does. He makes sure my mom and I have everything we could possibly need in life.”

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

ASTHMA by Jackie Bellamy-Zions

New study will examine macrophase responses to agents that cause this condition in horses

What happens if the quarterback of the immune system goes rogue?

In a study set to begin in June 2023, Ontario Veterinary College researcher, Dr. Janet Beeler-Marfisi, will be looking at macrophage responses to the agents that cause asthma in horses.

Equine Asthma or “heaves” can cause exercise intolerance, difficulty expelling air, inflammation of lung epithelium and narrowing of Bronchus, persistent cough and nasal secretions from mucous production. All of the above can turn a riding horse into a pasture ornament and or in worst case scenarios, bring about important quality of life decisions. Don’t wait for these signs or a tell-tale heave line to appear before taking steps in your barn management to reduce dust, mold and particulates in your horse’s environment.

Dr. Beeler said 100,000 of 700,000 of horses in Canada are predicted to suffer from asthma and she followed with sage preventative advice:

• Purchase the best quality hay you can afford

• Steaming or soaking hay reduces the dusts that cause asthma

• Wet down the aisles before sweeping the barn and avoid sweeping dust into horse stalls

• Keep barns well ventilated – especially when the tendency is to close everything up for warmth.

While studies on equine asthma have been ongoing for over 40 years, we still don’t know why some horses are more prone to develop heaves when exposed to the same environmental factors as horses that do not get heaves.

While studies on equine asthma have been ongoing for over 40 years, we still don’t know why some horses are more prone to develop heaves when exposed to the same environmental factors as horses that do not get heaves. Much focus has been placed on researching lymphocytes (white blood cells that help the body fight viruses) but Beeler’s study will be looking at macrophage responses, because they are the cells that “call the shots”.

“When the horse breathes in some dust, it’s a macrophage that tells the horse’s immune system whether it’s something they can safely ignore or something that they should respond to,” says Beeler. “To me, it makes sense to study the cells that call the shots, rather than those being told what to do (lymphocytes).”

The culprits of asthma come in the forms that are plentiful around the barn. From the endotoxins found in manure to the dust found in the hay they eat. Beeler says, “Even good quality hay will have some fungal spores or mold spores in it and that has a role to play in the development or heaves in horses that are susceptible to it.”

Beeler’s study aims to find out if macrophages, the quarter backs of the horse’s immune system, are behaving like they should when these challenges to the horse’s respiratory system are encountered. Communications from the macrophage’s nucleus (the computer or brain of the cell) are sent through messenger RNA which tells the rest of the cell (or factory) to make proteins (the product) – proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory proteins, for instance. This research seeks to reveal whether macrophages of heaves horses are the true culprit in the development of heaves.

Equineguelph offers these additional suggestions for defending againts dust in other areas of your faciluty:

In the arena:

• Choose footing wisely and replace or partially replace when needed. Fine smooth particles are more prone to suspension than heavier angular particles.

• Footing in the arena needs to be regularly maintained to remain moist, keeping dust from rising into the air.

• Additives and environmentally friendly oils help bind particles and slow evaporation.

In addition, horses should be kept outside as much as possible, unless medical conditions require stalling or the horse has an equine asthma issue associated with the pasture. If your horse begins to cough, call the vet right away to investigate the cause. When dealing with respiratory ailments early diagnostics, aggressive treatment and environmental management are of paramount importance.

Jackie Bellamy-Zions is an Equine Canada Certified Level 2 Eventing Coach and "r" Dressage Judge. She is a member of the Communications & Administration Team at the University of Guelph in Canada. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well-being of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups. Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and government – for the good of the equine industry as a whole. For further information, visit www.equineguelph.ca. You can email Jackie directly at: english_coach@yahoo.ca

BUZZ

ON THE WEB

(www.instrideedition.com)

(IN) LIFE

AQHA and NSBA competitor Haley Saul Kittler and her husband, Keller of Des Arc, Arkansas, welcomed a daughter on Dec. 1. The new arrival, named Harriet Noelle Kittler, was 8 pounds and 20.5 inches. She joins a brother, Henry

AQHA and NSBA competitor, Kristen Ramirez, married Jake Holmes, on Jan. 21, at BellaCosa Lakeside in Lake Wales, Florida. Kristen, the daughter of Dr. Antonio and Brenda Ramirez, earned her nurse practitioner degree from Advent Health University in 2022 and is emloyed at Telehealth and Rehabilitation Auditing Services. Jake is the son of Jeff Holmes and Melissa Holmes and is Crawler Crane Specialist & Supervisor at Transportation Partners and Logistics. The couple resides in Saint Cloud, Florida.

AQHA and NSBA competitor Lexi Frencl, of Chicago, Illinois, became engaged to professional trainer Justin Clay Arrington, of Graceville, Florida, became engaged on Jan. 27, at the Fort Worth Stockyards. Justin owns and operates Clay Arrington Show Horses, specializing in the preparation of Western Pleasure show horses.

GOFUNDME BENEFITS JASON DUCHARME TRAINER SERIOUSLY INJURED IN ACCIDENT

Well known horseman Jason Ducharme, of Whitesboro, Texas, was seriously injured on Jan. 13 when he was crushed between his truck and trailer and a steel fence.

Ducharme’s girlfriend, Mallory Menard had to jump in the passenger side and crawl over the console to the drivers seat and back the truck up so it could release Jason, who fell to the ground. She called 911 and they airlifted him to Denton Hospital in the ICU Neuro/Trauma Unit.

Ducharme was initially on a ventilator and suffered 10 broken ribs (five on each side) with “floating” or displaced ribs. Surgeons eventually plated the three displaced ribs on the right side and repaired the hole in his right lung. He was eventually removed from the ventilator and has been released from the hospital to continue therapy from home.

The Michigan Quarter Horse Association held an impromptu benefit auction to and longtime friends Doug and Tara Landon established a GoFundMe account to help with the long-term expenses associated with Ducharme’s recovery.

“This will all be a long, difficult recovery and with his diabetes it could be longer then normal,” Tara said. “If you know Jason, you know that he is always willing to help people and take care of things for everyone. Well now it’s our turn to give back. He does have some medical insurance but it will not cover everything and his medical bills are going to be extensive. With

FIRE CLAIMS HOME AND BARN IN TEXAS BENEFIT ORGANIZED TO HELP CHRISTIN FISCHER

A GoFundMe account has been established to help APHA, AQHA, and PtHA breeder Christin Fischer of Whitesboro, Texas, who lost her home and complete contents to a fire in the below zero weather experienced on Dec. 23. Thankfully, she and her three dogs were able to escape safely, but she was able to leave only with the clothes on her back.

Fischer lost everything in the fire which erupted in the below zero temperatures hitting Texas just before Christmas. Fortunately, she does have insurance, but it is very slow to pay and will not cover everything she lost.

Fischer has helped many people and horses over time out of the goodness of her heart and organizers hope some can return the favor. To donate visit: https://gofund.me/9bdd8d96.

the injuries that he has sustained he will not be behind the wheel hauling horses anytime soon, and this is their only daily income. Everyone has reached out and locals and friends have offered to help and it is very much appreciated. We are looking at the long term expenses, so Doug and I are asking our friends and family for your help, please, and support by donating. Every dollar counts and every donation is appreciated. The GoFundMe account will be used for medical bills and living expenses.”

To donate visit: https://gofund.me/baebe04d.

WHITE SPOTTING GENE IN PAINT HORSES ETALON DIAGNOSTICS IDENTIFIES W34

W34, a white-spotting allele identified by researchers at Etalon Diagnostics in 2022, has been confirmed as present in the Paint Horse population. The discovery was published in the August 2022 edition of Animals, a peer-reviewed scientific publication.

This spotting pattern is a mutation of the KIT gene, which is also home to Sabino 1 and more than 30 “W” (formerly, Dominant White) mutations that can cause white spotting patterns. W34 tends to produce white markings on the face and legs.

Along with other white-spotting patterns – which include Tobiano, Frame Overo, Sabino 1, Splashed White 1/2/3/5/6/7 and W5/10/20/22/31/32 – W34 can be used to help a horse earn Regular Registry status as part of RG070.E., an APHA rule that allows a horse to earn Regular Registry status if it meets requirements including presence of a Paint trait(s) and a white spotting-pattern gene confirmed through DNA genetic testing.

DNA testing for W34 is offered at APHA partner lab Etalon as an a la carte option.

ASSOCIATIONS

AWARD RECIPIENT (IN) NSBA NEWS

Carrie Oakley has been named the 2023 recipient of the National Snaffle Bit Association’s Jack Benson Award.

A member of NSBA since the association's inception, Oakley has been a horse owner, breeder and active exhibitor in the industry for many years. In addition, she has owned two NSBA Hall of Fame horses, Hotrodders Jet Set and Delea Siemon. An NSBA and AQHA champion who is passionate about the pleasure horse industry, Oakley came through the ranks as a Youth, Amateur and Non-Pro exhibitor.

Oakley is also a real estate agent and equine insurance representative and has won many awards honoring her achievements in and outside the horse industry. She and her husband, Troy, reside in Pilot Point, Texas.

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.

JOHN CORBIN PASSES (IN) APHA NEWS

APHA Past President John Corbin of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died Feb. 6. Corbin grew up in Southern Indiana, where his family had both working and riding horses. He graduated from Purdue University in 1969 with a degree in agricultural economics, but John’s professional career took wing with stints in the U.S. Air Force and later work as a commercial pilot.

Volunteering at Paint Horse club shows led to greater APHA involvement, including serving as a state director for APHA before being tapped for a spot on the executive board. He took the reins as president in 2009.

QUALIFYING EXPLAINED

AQHA ANNOUNCES REQUIREMENTS TO COMPETE AT WORLD SHOWS

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) held a town hall meeting with exhibitors during the 2022 AQHA World Championship Show and AQHA Select World Championship Show. One item brought to the table was qualifying requirements. After careful consideration, the association adjusted the requirements to qualify for the 2023 World and Select World Championship Show.

New requirements include a reduction in events required to attend for qualification, lowering the qualifying points required for most open, amateur and select amateur classes, and reduction in Level 2 buy-in fees if qualification requirements are not met. Additionally, the affiliate invitee has been expanded to include the top five in amateur, select amateur and open.

Following review and approval from the AQHA Executive Committee, the new requirements to qualify for the 2023 Farnam AQHA and Adequan Select World Championship Show have been posted to the AQHA website.

The 2023 AQHA World Show is slated for Oct. 26 to Nov. 18, in Oklahoma City. The national qualifying period began Aug. 1 and ends July 31.

Exhibitors and their American Quarter Horses can qualify by meeting one of the following requirements:

Earn the required number of qualifying points for the desired class during the 2023 AQHA World and Select World qualifying period, August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023, and pay the standard entry fee. This qualifying achievement will be added to the horse’s permanent AQHA record.

Participate in four AQHA-approved events during the 2023

AQHA World and Select World qualifying period and pay the standard entry fee, regardless of the number of points earned. Participation credit is earned by horse on a class-by-class basis for the open division and by horse/exhibitor combination for both the amateur and Select amateur divisions. AQHA event is defined as all judge numbers for a particular show or circuit. For example, the Arizona Sun Circuit is considered one event, even though it includes eight sets of points. This qualifying method will not be added to the horse’s permanent AQHA record. Note: exhibitors and horses need only show to one judge or set of judges at an event to earn the participation requirement.

Qualify as an affiliate (state/provincial) invitee. For each affiliate, the top five amateur and Select exhibitors/horses, plus ties, in each class which do not qualify nationally will receive an invitation to the respective world show class. This is also to be expanded to include the top five, plus ties, in each open class.

The requirement to have earned at least one-half the national qualifying points has been replaced with the requirement to earn at least one-half point in the respective class.

If the requirements outlined above are not met, an American Quarter Horse can still be entered in the show for a higher entry fee. Open Level 3 classes will require a $7,500 nomination fee per class, while amateur and Select amateur Level 3 classes will require a $5,000 nomination fee per class. Open Level 2 classes will require a $5,000 nomination fee per class, while amateur and Select amateur Level 2 classes will require a $3,500 nomination fee per class. A portion of this buy-in fee will be retained by AQHA.

Armellini, Stephanie ............................83

Back 2 Berrien ................................68-69

Backes QH ..........................................77

Baker Futurity Horses ................30-33, 77

Baker Show Horses .............................2-3

Bar H Photography ...............................81

Barger QH ...........................................77

Barry, Jon .............................................81

Blue Ribbon Tack .................................77

Boo Yah Custom Clothing .......................79

Boxell, John .........................................78

Briere, Pierre ........................................77

Britton, Blake .......................................76

Burris, Tony ..........................................76

CAC Show Horses .....................10-11, 76

Capital Qtr Horses ...............................BC

Caplinger Qtr Horses .............................80

Chafin Perf. Horses ..............................79

Coast To Coast Trailers ............................80

CR Ranchwear .....................................78

CT QH .................................................78

Custom Tails ........................................80

Elite Trailers .........................................79

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

English Show Horses.......12-15,17-21, 77

Fisher, Alan ..........................................81

Folck Insurance ....................................81

Galyean, Gil .............................56-59, 78

Garcia Quarter Horses ...........................78

Glover/Galyean ...................................80

Golden West ........................................77

Gumz Farms ........................................80

Harris Leather ................................16, 78

Horn, Ron ............................................79

Jeff Kirkbride Photography .....................78

Jones, Chris & Melissa .............................80

JML Design ..........................................77

Kathy’s Tails ..........................................78

Kendalls Western Hats ...........................76

Kennedy, Kathie ...................................79

Knelly, Laura ........................................77

March To The Arch ...............................72

McLendon, Farley ..............................5, 7

Miller Show Horses .........................48-49

North Farm .....................................62-64

Parrish Quarter Horses ...........................79

Pickard Hanson Show Horses .........34-37

Pilot Knob ............................................76

Powers, Tom ........................................81

Recchiuti, Donnie ................................78

Reid Thomas Perf Horses ........................70

Roberts, Alyse ..................................... 76

Roberts Quarter Horses ..........................77

Ryan Geiger Photography ......................80

Shane Rux Photography .........................81

Smith, Kelly ..............................FC, 12-15

Starnes Insurance Agency ......................80

Sweet Shop ..........................................80

Terlizzi Show Horses .......................21-23

Thurston Show Horses ...........................38

DAC ....................................................79

Darci’s Show Horses .............................79

Davis, Wayne & Judy ............................79

Dickerson Show Horses ...................9, 81

Dobbs Insurance ..................................76

Lakins, Kenny ......................................76

Leeman Farms ......................................79

Looney Show Horses ......................50-51

Malone QH .........................................78

Wheeler Show Horses ............................76

Williams, Kathy ...................................76

Willis Show Horses .........................43-46

Zeitler, Mark & Judy .............................81

Zuidema Perf Horses .............................81