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(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.