TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2005  

John Lyons is one of many clinicians featured at the Western States Horse Expo this Friday through Sunday.

One of the largest horse fairs in the nation kicks off on Friday. The Western States Horse Expo at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacrament, California, features more than 500 horses, 40 different breeds including the American Quarter Horse, five acres of barns and corrals, tons of seminars and clinics, the largest selection of horse trailers to choose from in the world and more than 500 additional trade show exhibitors. The expo concludes on Sunday.

Clinicians include Clinton Anderson, John Lyons, Monty Roberts, Robert Miller, D.V.M., AQHA Professional Horseman Sandy Collier, Linda Tellington-Jones and GaWaNi Pony Boy, just to name a few. To see a complete schedule, click here.

Also at the expo is the Magnificent 7, an event featuring the nation’s top trainers and horses. Similar to the National Reined Cow Horse Association World’s Greatest Horseman event, one man and one horse for two days will put themselves to the test in a series of four events to showcase their athletic ability and raw stock horse talent. The skill and versatility of both rider and horse will be challenged in herd work, rein work, steer stopping and fence work. By Friday night, only seven horse-and-rider teams will remain to compete for the title of all-around stock horse champion.

Other events include horse sales, equine/western art show, exhibition of breeds, trail symposium and an evening showcase.

Tickets are available at the gate or online at www.horsexpo.com. Cost is $15 per day or $40 for a 3-day pass; $5 daily for children 7-13; and free for children 6 and under. Magnificent 7 admission is $10 and the evening showcase is $15.

Penny Still Pleasing the Crowd 

Poco Cooper Penny won her first blue ribbon last year when she was 30 years old. Brittany Renz exhibited the mare at the Jefferson County Fair in Wisconsin.

In the March Journal Skyliner, Poco Cooper Penny was featured. The mare won her first blue ribbon when she was 30 years old last year with 9-year-old Brittany Renz onboard at the Jefferson County Fair in Wisconsin.

Brittany’s grandmother, Doreen, recently emailed this update on “Penny:”

“She will be 31 on June 15 and yesterday we took her to school to share her with Brittany’s and her brother’s (MacArthur) third and fourth grade classes. This was her fifth year of going to school. We also took along Cisca, our latest quarter horse purchase, but Penny was the hit of the day. The kids and teachers think she is pretty special, and she seems to shine when she is in the spotlight.

“Mac has been riding her on short trail rides and she is getting in pretty good shape for 31. She is a little stiffer this year but still moves along. We all laughed last time we were riding because the kids know to not get too close to the younger mares butts ... not a one of us worried about Penny giving a kick. Well, she did. Not once, but twice. It was nothing serious but she let everyone know to stay away.

“I know you don't remember her but it makes me feel good that the Quarter Horse Journal writes about the common people who own horses. She may have been purchased for $500, but we wouldn't sell her for any amount of money. She is the best! Thanks for reading this.”

Thank you Doreen for sending in an update. We certainly remember Penny and hope she continues to provide pleasure to you and you grandchildren for many years to come.

Hazardous Horse Droppings

The Associated Press reports that U.S. Border Patrol is trying to get the drop on its horse droppings.

The animals are essential to patrolling the rugged terrain in Arizona where motorized vehicles aren't practical. But the droppings can cause environmental damage, when the horse eats alfalfa and exotic weeds and leaves the seeds behind.

The Border Patrol now feeds its horses special seed-free pellets. The food is pricey, so the horses only get it while patrolling sensitive areas. The rest of time, it's back to good ol' oats and hay.

White Thoroughbred Makes His Career Debut

The White Fox, one of only 17 pure white Thoroughbreds that have ever been registered in the 300 years of recorded Thoroughbred breeding, finished third in his career debut as the 9-10 favorite in Sunday's first race at River Downs in Cincinnati, Ohio.

"I wished we didn't draw the inside post," jockey Perry Ouzts told The Thoroughbred Times. "We got away just a step slow, but it (inside post position) cost us position in the early going. He got hit in the face with a lot of dirt but they ran that race in race horse time (1:10 for six furlongs) and he'll be a race horse."

Showing promise early in his career, the son of Pioneering out of the white mare Patchen Beauty was nominated to this year's Visa Triple Crown Challenge. Shin problems set his training schedule back and he was forced to delay his debut until Sunday.

The White Fox is said to be a friendly horse that likes to have his tongue pulled. He even has his own Web site: www.thewhitefox.com.

Q-Talk on Vacation

I'll be out of the office for the next three days to attend my daughter's wedding in Colorado. Q-Talk will return on Monday.

— Tonya Ratliff-Garrison

There is an increase in national qualifiers for the 2005 AQHYA World Championship Show.

The Youth World Show, which is August 6-13 in Fort Worth, Texas, is the largest single-breed horse show in the world devoted exclusively to youth. This year, 1,143 AQHYA members have qualified nationally to compete for 32 world championship titles.

There has been an increase in national qualifiers in more than half of the offered classes. The hunter under saddle, working hunter, hunter hack and equitation over fences classes have seen the most dramatic jumps in numbers, averaging about 14 more national qualifiers per class than last year.

Youth can qualify for the world show either nationally or through the state they represent. To qualify nationally, exhibitors must earn a specified number of points in their event of interest by competing in qualifying shows throughout the year. Points are assigned to competitors based on their placing in each class.

The second way for AQHYA members to qualify is through involvement in their state affiliates. Each state has its own criteria that members must meet. Youth can earn their way to Fort Worth by participating in fundraisers and leadership activities, as well as showing.

One of the main goals of AQHYA is to increase the participation of youth in horse activities. These numbers show that participation and interest in the American Quarter Horse continue to rise.

“Through participation in AQHYA, youth are making an investment in their future and ensuring a future for the American Quarter Horse,” said Christy Bramwell, AQHA Senior Manager of Youth Activities.

AQHYA boasts a membership of more than 30,000 youth, including members from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. AQHYA is the largest, single-breed youth association in the world and provides a variety of programs to youth 18-and-under which encourage participation with the American Quarter Horse breed.

For additional information on AQHYA and the Youth World, contact AQHYA at (806) 376-4811 or visit www.aqhya.com.

Dial A Red Rooster Put Down

Tanya Steinhoff and Dial A Red won the National Barrel Horse Association World Championships sweepstakes finals in November.

Young barrel racer Tanya Steinhoff’s 14-year-old dun gelding had to be put down on Saturday after breaking a leg during a barrel run in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Steinhoof and Dial A Red Rooster were featured in Skyliners in the January 2005 Journal.

In May, the 14-year-old Steinhoff and "Rooster" turned in the fastest run at the 24^th Annual Josey Junior World. They had a sizzling time of 15.816. In November last year, the pair won the National Barrel Horse Association World Championships sweepstakes finals.

The Quarter Horse world has also lost some other greats this spring.

• Master Cowboy Jac was put down in April. The 18-year-old palomino stallion had suffered from soft-tissue damage to his front leg since he was a 3-year-old but his owner Sally Brown of Maple Plain, Minnesota, said this past winter and increase arthritis had escalated the severity of the problem and he was unable to put pressure on the leg. Master Cowboy Jac was by Hollywood Jac 86 and out of Double Bee Miss by Nifty Bee. He sired 213 foals including 95 performing horses.
• Sparkles Rosezana died of old age in early April. The 1982 palomino mare was buried next to her famous dam, Diamonds Sparkle, at Carol Rose’s ranch in Gainesville, Texas. Sparkles Rosezana, who was by Zan Parr Bar, was the 1985 National Reining Horse Association Futurity champion, the 1986 AQHA world champion junior reiner, the 1988 world champion senior header and the 1988 all-around high point mare. She had 253.5 performance points (including 5 halter points) and almost $110,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings. She is the dam of 16 foals, including 11 performers. Rosezana Lena was her most outstanding offspring with 829.5 AQHA points. Sparkles Rosezana was to have three embryo foals this year with two by Nic It In The Bud and one by Shiners Lena Doc.
• The great reining mare Rest Stop was killed by lightning in May. The 1985 mare, by Topsail Cody and out of Villa Eddie by Edmond Star, had $56,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings. She was the dam of 10 foals, of which seven are performers. Matter of fact, two of her foals, Best Stop and Better Not Rest, made the non-pro finals at the 2005 NRHA Derby. She was bred by Doug Milholland and was owned by Marc Wagman.

WWR CUP 2005 International Begins

Fifty horse-and-rider combinations from five European countries will compete this weekend in the WWR CUP 2005 – International Western Riding Show in Poland.

Taking place at Iwno Horse Stud (200 km from the German border) Saturday and Sunday, the show is one of the largest events on Polish soil.

After its success last year, the organizers have expanded the competitive ranks. This year’s classes include reining, western pleasure, trail and working cow horse.

For more information, click here.

Horse Clinic to Benefit Relay for Life

A "Horse 'N' Around for A Cure" horse clinic at 10 a.m. June 25 and 26 at Wayne County Fairgrounds in Goldsboro, North Carolina, will benefit Relay for Life.

Experienced horsemen will conduct the clinic with topics such as basic care and needs of horses. State and local horse champions will demonstrate showing horses and various styles of riding. There will be a question-and-answer session.

This will be an annual event. And there will be a follow-up horse show in the fall also to support Relay for Life.

The cost is $20 person and checks should be made payable to the American Cancer Society. Pre-registration is required. For information or an application, contact Carolyn Plummer at (919) 736-3678 or (919) 738-7770. Space is limited.

— Tonya Ratliff-Garrison