NEWS & VIEWS FROM BRITISH REINING |
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NEWS & VIEWS FROM BRITISH REINING |
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ISSUE 2 - APRIL/MAY 2007 |
NEWS AGM REPORT SEMINAR SUCCESS RUNNERS & RIDERS EXCLUSIVE SHOWS |
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Dear Reining Enthusiast, Welcome to April’s RunDown from British Reining. We have news on the first UKCC seminar, a special on the success of the Mendip Stud’s Germany Tour, and Gill Parker’s first ever reining pattern. In our breeding feature we have Part Two of the Stallion Directory, an introduction to the Star Breeders online service and an exclusive with Bob Loomis! We also take a look at Appaloosas in reining in our Breed Profile feature and have an insightful contribution from the ApRHA for you to enjoy. Use the links to the left to jump you straight to the article described. If you want to print RunDown I would advise setting your page setup to 'Landscape' but you may find some of the pictures out of line - this will be remedied next issue. As ever, any comments or suggestions are welcome so please email me at rundown@britishreining.co.uk If I don’t see you out and about beforehand, have wonderful Spring and I will be back with more in June. Tally |
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NEWS IN BRIEF COUNCIL MEMBER UPDATE When I was elected onto Council my main interest was the setting up of a youth program. I have spent the last year putting it together and am awaiting comments from council members. I was also asked to look at the Child Protection Policies and Procedures. This has entailed sending the current policies and procedures to the Child Protection in Sport Unit, which was set up by the government in conjunction with the NSPCC. I met with the CPSU at Sport England at the beginning of 2006 and have been keeping them updated since. I am now awaiting confirmation of the final draft of the policies and procedures. I have also been involved with Pauline Brimson in meetings with Sport England regarding Long Term Rider Development which the BEF is implementing over the next two years. This is based on Long Term Athlete Development which has been put in place across most of the Olympic disciplines in the UK. Following a recent council meeting it was agreed that it would be a good idea to have a youth member report to the council on a six monthly basis as to what they would like the association to do for them. Perhaps the youth members could arrange a get-together and let me know who they wish to nominate to speak for them and set up a committee. top |
ASSOCIATION NEWS This year the AGM was once again held at the now familiar Premier Lodge, Northants. Individual reports from council provided information for members from the whole of last year’s workings. It had been an extremely busy and constructive year for council, with many new and exciting initiatives, not least the wide new funding opportunities created through the BEF from the Lottery/Sport England. The new UK Coaching Certificate has created a tremendous amount of interest in British Reining from the wider Western community. The certificate allows the opportunity for all Western organisations to work alongside each other to raise standards, and been seen to do so. Each of these issues are helping to move reining forwards, giving it greater credibility as an equestrian sport and establishing it as an equal alongside the other BEF disciplines. Council was happy to confirm that last year’s problems of surfaces and facilities were much improving. New facilities now being developed, with more in the planning pipeline, have improved our show schedule considerably this year - with a very healthy slate of shows and classes. All members are encouraged to support these events as people are taking the plunge to develop their facilities for our wider benefit. Among other important issues on the day, the subject of team selection was covered. As previously announced, a committee selected from volunteers at the meeting was formed as a working party to develop a new team selection process. This will be put to the general membership for approval. David Gray, who was in attendance, was asked if he had any matters concerning the events of the last year that he would like discussed and he agreed whole heartedly that we should move on. David received a spontaneous applause from the meeting for his gesture. The meeting continued late into the afternoon and finally Pauline Brimson gave an informative account of the UKCC to those interested parties that wanted to stay on. It gave greater clarity to those members interested in becoming involved as trainers/coaches and a better idea of what to expect from the first UKCC information day hosted and funded by British Reining at the Marriot hotel, Grantham. The meeting closed on a positive and constructive note and all look forward to another busy and successful year. A full set of minutes will soon be available to reflect an accurate account of the meeting and in due course should be available via email and as a download from the BR website. top |
UKCC SEMINAR WELCOMES ALL Over 30 people attended including David Deptford, Lee Rutter, Lucy Adams, David Brindley, David Hudspeth, Lisa John, Caroline Lockhart and Sue Woods, with representatives from BR, WES, AQHA UK, the British Rodeo Cowboy Association, the Western Performance Pony Association, the British Morgan Horse Society and the Appaloosa Horse Club UK. Suzanne Genery, Consulting Coaching Manager for the BEF, introduced the UKCC in detail. Working with all the equestrian disciplines in the BEF, she was able to impart specific information as to how it would affect the equine industry and explain how other member bodies were embracing the challenge. This seminar worked to dispel any confusion as to why BR had been charged with delivering the UKCC for Western riding, and allowed participants the opportunity to express any concerns and raise questions. While BR will act as the formal registration route for the Western UKCC, it was made clear that there would be no requirement for applicants to become members of the association. As no other Western body qualifies for inclusion into the BEF, BR has encouraged open debate across the whole of Western equestrianism to formulate the discipline specific context in which coaches are assessed. The question arose as to the relevance of existing Western industry qualifications from WES, the BRCA and other associations. Suzanne assured participants that these would be assessed and related to the UKCC as with the BHS instructor’s exams. She went on to say that there was a system in place that would acknowledge the wealth of experience Western candidates held, whether or not they possessed formal qualifications. This will be achieved using the Coach Profile Tool, which forms part of the application process. The Coach Profile is a questionnaire that is filled out by the applicant allowing the opportunity to detail all relevant experience as well as to highlight other skills that may be required, including sports psychology, child protection and physiological fitness etc (skills that are transferable across all disciplines and sport). At this point Pauline went on to explain that should an obvious skills gap appear in candidates’ profiles, BR will put on modules to allow them to ‘top up’ their applications. Later in the day it was agreed that BR, via Pauline, would send out the Coach Profile to all interested Western instructors as a pilot project prior to the actual registration process. With many important questions answered, participants entered the group exercises enthusiastically. Delivered imaginatively by Pauline and Susie, these highly entertaining tasks were designed to show the skill and thought required in successful coaching. This helped participants understand that to be a great coach you don’t necessarily have to be a great rider – something that equestrianism does not always recognise. Suzanne Genery made the point early in the day that although coaches must demonstrate that they have sufficient skill and experience, the UKCC accreditation in about ‘how you coach what you coach’ and not who is the best rider. The groups then went on to define the roles and qualities of a coach; discussing what makes communication effective, the power of setting goals, and how feedback is a crucial requirement for a client’s progression. Lisa John explains; “The afternoon feedback exercise was particularly enlightening. I was blind folded and asked to throw a beanbag over my shoulder. I had been given no instructions and wasn’t aware there was a hoop on the ground behind me. Instead of being guided by the instruction of ‘my coach’ (Lee Rutter), I had to ask if I needed to aim left, or throw a bit harder etc – not knowing what was required of me. Lee was able to work with the feedback I was giving him and I eventually hit the target. It just goes to show that until you tune into the feedback from your client, there will be no progression.” Lee Rutter adds: “I found the workshop exercises most useful as they took the theory of communication a step further. Despite being so far removed from a usual riding session, what we learnt really had an impact. I am already using the methods in my lessons and clinics, and feel that I have become a better teacher for it!” It was made clear that the UKCC is not mandatory and if it does become so, it will not happen over night. The formal endorsement process for equestrian UKCC will be signed off at the end of April for levels 1 and 2 with accreditation for level 3 expected by the end of the summer. “The day itself was conducted very professionally” continues Lee. “There were no grey areas and all questions were answered clearly and honestly, which gives me great confidence in the people who are involved in running the new system. “I came to the seminar positive about the new UKCC system and have come away with more knowledge of its background and procedures. I am personally looking forward to the next step and am excited to see which level I will be assessed at. I have already signed up for a four day first aid course so I can add it to my application.” In summery, Lisa concludes; “What I really like is the philosophy that seems to go in hand with the UKCC. Unlike some rigid examination systems, it promotes personal development and progress. For instance, if a coach feels that they are at level 2, when they submit their application, they will be encouraged to train and be assessed for level 3 – helping people advance with confidence. “I am very excited about this new system and I believe that most of the day’s attendees share my enthusiasm. The seminar was a really fun and informative insight into the UKCC and I want to thank Pauline, Susie and Suzanne for their excellent delivery of what is an exciting step forward for Western instruction.” With 127 different qualifications available in equestrianism, the UKCC offers a UK wide, cross-sport pathway for experience and ability that will strengthen the profession and ensure the highest quality, progressive coaching for our riders. It is thanks to the hard work and persistence of Pauline Brimson and formally Richard Allan, on behalf of BR, that the wider Western community will benefit. top
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Lee Rutter and Lucy Adams work together on an exercise defining the role of a coach.
The UKCC represents a radical, five-tier coaching system that will be consistent across the whole of sport. Level 1 – Coaching Assistant Level 2 – Basic, Safe Coach Level 3 - Fully Autonomous Coach Levels 4 & 5 - Nationally Recognized Coach Using a process of agreement, the UKCC level of entry will be decided with the applicant and an appropriate assessor arranged. Although no one, whatever their prominence in the industry, will be automatically awarded a UKCC level, if (for example) it is agreed that an applicant be assessed at Level 3, they will by implication have attained a Level 2 standard. The assessment will be carried out at dedicated centres across the UK and will comprise oral and practical elements and include the delivery of a coaching session. Candidates will be assessed in the context of a technical syllabus specific to Western riding. Should there be a problem during an assessment whereby an individual fails to reach the agreed level, an internal verifier can be involved. There are also external moderators that may step in at any stage from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), Equestrian Qualification Ltd (the awarding body) or British Reining. The coaching UKCC has been designed to: |
SPECIAL BRITS HOLD THEIR OWN IN KREUTH Tammy Greaves may have stolen the show at Mendip Stud's pre-season training tour to Germany last month but it’s plainly justified to say that all six riders held their own, giving competent, solid performances and taking away more than a fair share of awards. Under the watchful eye of European Champion Ilan Rosenberg, and after a week of intensive training, riders David Brimson, Penny Brommersma, Peter Lane, Gill Parker, Lita Pocock and Tammy Greaves dared to run their first pattern of the year in the biggest arena in Europe - Gut Matheshof, Kreuth. Participants gathered at Ilan's facility in Elsenz on Thursday 8th March to iron out problems, perfect manoeuvers, improve ring craft and consolidate horse and rider partnerships. Six days later the camp moved the 350km to Kreuth for the 'Slide Away'. Attracting 112 competitors including names such as Rudi Kronsteiner (AUT), Grischa Ludwig and Volker Schmitt (GER), Egon Gerstgrasser (ITA) and Mireille Van Soldt (NL). With 220 starts, the three day show kicks off the NRHA South Germany reining season. SHOW DAY Penny was next in. Assuring me that her horse Blackjac Sailor (BJ) is usually a relaxed, laid back individual I was surprised to witness the pair make haste to take 9th. Horse and rider were clearly enjoying their first run in the big arena. Peter and his honest mare Chex Out This Action were also on a mission and ran their pattern with conviction to stand 15th. Fired up from their run the previous evening, David and Toddy were in early to Saturday's Limited Non Pro - Pattern 7. The pair's big stops and aggressive large, fast circles secured them 7th in a class of 36 - a fantastic achievement and another ribbon for the Mendip camp! Saturday afternoon and Gill Parker took 9th on Gregory Pep - the youngest horse to be placed in the Green Reiner. This was a totally new experience for Pleasure/Trail stalwart Gill whose last visit to Kreuth was the 2002 AQHA Championships where she took Silver and Bronze in Trail on Greg's maternal half sister, Maid of Jade. Later that evening Tammy entered the ring with The Magic of Whiz, the first of her two rides in the Intermediate Non Pro, running Pattern 9. After a testing time with the horse the previous day, Tammy scored a solid 70 for joint 6th from 23 riders and then took 4th with a 70.5 on her second horse Peppy Nic Tivio! Alas, poor Lita suffered over the tour from an aggravation to an old back injury. This rendered her a spectator for most of the training period and unable to ride in the first two days of competition. Strapped up, to ease the concussion to her spine, Lita bravely guided Bay Reyner through Pattern 5 in Sunday morning's Rookie to place in the top half of an enormous class of 42. What can I say but “Well done Lita,” she’ll be back at Kreuth soon, fully fit and ready to show to her full ability. TAMMY'S TRIUMPH Such huge achievements have been realised by riders not all of whom have much showing or even reining experience. They found themselves competing in one of Europe's most prestigious reining venues, proving their right to be there. I hope their achievements will inspire others to do the same. Of course, the man who bought all these performances together is Ilan. He toiled with undivided attention, dedicating himself to producing the best result possible from every horse and rider. Niki, Ilan's wife, devoted herself to the care of the horses and competitors before and after each run – always there with a comforting word and an expert eye. Completing the team was Nina Scholmann, a valued member of the Mendip family since her stay at the stud last summer. Despite some unexpected challenges, Mendip Stud's John Calder, whose brainchild this training tour was, kept everyone and everything together. Each and every one involved owes a vote of thanks to John. His input was so much more than organisation alone. We must thank him and the Mendip team for the opportunity for riders to better their skills, knowledge and experience – and for presenting them with a new level of understanding and competence in readiness for the season back home. New friendships were forged and a spirit of 'all for one and one for all' emerged with each spectator riding every stride of every team members' pattern. At one point someone was heard to say "Just how many people are riding that horse!?!" as a frantic chorus of clucks and kisses echoed around the stalls during what was nearly a trot out from a roll back in an early run. By allowing riders the chance to step outside their comfort zone and succeed at a European level, the tour has helped build the next step for the sport and raised awareness of exactly what is coming out of our grass root development. Early talks are underway for a 2008 campaign so keep an eye on the Mendip website for more information. top
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Penny Brommersma
David Brimson
Peter Lane
Tammy Greaves
Gill Parker
Lita Pocock |
GILL PARKER - REINING 'HER WAY' This was Gill’s first time back to Gut Matheshof since being awarded Silver and Bronze medals in Trail at the 2003 AQHA European Championships on her prolific mare Maid of Jade. Riding her homebred Gregory Pep (Jade’s maternal half brother and the last foal from her favorite mare Rowley Mink) Gill bravely rode her first competitive reining pattern taking 9th in good company with Greg the youngest horse to place. Sired by Fast Draw Peppy, Gill decided to test her mettle and have Greg produced as a reiner. She comments; “Greg is the last foal of my favorite old mare. She always produced great-minded stock and Gregory is no exception. He has been with Ilan since July last year so it is like coming over to ride a new horse in a strange discipline. To say it has been a steep learning curve is an understatement, I am still working on the aids for the manoevers while sitting on an unfinished horse! I am just going to concentrate on getting around without embarrassing myself, avoiding silly mistakes and hopefully doing a good job on a young horse.” At the end of the tour Gill was presented with the 'Frank Sinatra' award and she will be the first to admit ‘she did it her way’ riding with the cadence and accuracy developed from her extensive trail and pleasure background and less of the pace a reiner usually employs. “It is a very different concept from what I am used to. I am finding it difficult to have a horse going at speed, running on with more expression. However, I love the accuracy and communication required to run a really good pattern and like to see the good horses soft and quiet, running on a drape.” Gill went on to explain that this was the first time Greg had shown since he was a three year old. “For a while I felt that my only option was to sell Greg as he wasn’t bred for the disciplines I specialise in. However I like the horse and as half brother to Jade and the last foal from Sophie (Rowley Mink), I think he may well be with me forever. He will never be a fantastic horse but I know that Ilan is careful to train within a horse’s mental and physical ability and at the end of the day I want a horse to have fun on - one that will be sound and happy in 10 years time.” Greg is now back in UK with Gill where she will continue to show him in reining and all around classes. top |
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BREEDING HOW IMPORTANT IS CONFORMATION WHEN SELECTING BREEDING STOCK? Very important, in order for a horse to be athletic he must have a correct trapezoid and bone structure. His shoulder, hip and back must be the same length and his underline exactly double that measurement. Great horses come with all sorts of muscling, light and heavy, but no horse will be able to perform without the correct skeletal structure. HOW ABOUT LIMB ALIGNMENT & BONE? Leg soundness is of prime importance. A calf kneed horse (back at the knee) may well train OK but when you start putting a finish on them they often develop bone chips and are hard to keep sound. Buck kneed horses (over at the knee) aren’t ideal but are unlikely to have severe soundness problems. The correctness of a reining horse’s limbs is hereditary and when assessing a breeding prospect you should always look to see how the canon bone lines up to the knee. It should fit right in the centre - if it is offset and this trait is passed to his stock it will be almost impossible to keep them sound. When it comes to breeding reining horses, King P234 is the foundation. King-bred horses inherit strong bone, correct body structure and good hard, black feet. They are mentally and physically sound horses. A horse with a good amount of bone is a sounder, tougher horse. You can’t beat the foundation reining horse families for this and progeny from the likes of Great Pine, Hollywood Jac and Royal King and have been winning since the beginning. IS IT NECESSARY TO SEE A POTENTIAL SIRE IN THE FLESH? Once a stallion is established as a producer of successful stock, his quality will speak for itself. However, when breeding to a generic horse, with no produce record, I would certainly advise seeing him in the flesh to assess his conformation and ensure he is going to produce correct, sound stock. YOU SPEAK OF YOUR LOVE OF THE FOUNDATION TYPES – WHAT OF DOC BAR’S INFLUENCE? Doc Bar was bred to race and is ¼ TB. He was used to introduce refinement and certainly adds athleticism and ‘snap’ to a reiner’s movement but you need to watch out line breeding Doc Bar on both sides as you may well get soundness problems. History has shown that most of the best Doc Bar reiners have King somewhere in their pedigree. The great stallion Topsail Cody combined both lines being by Joe Cody out of a Doc Bar daughter, Doc Bar Linda, and was not only a Futurity winner but also an AQHA World Champion that has never been beaten in competition. He traced to King through his Dam Taboo. (A leading sire of futurity horses, Topsail Cody produced Topsail Whiz – NRHA’s second $4,000,000 sire - who Bob currently stands along with one of his exceptional sons West Coast Whiz, earner of $131,592). You also have to watch for the minds of some Doc Bar families. A little Doc Bar is great but you need to select the right family when breeding for reiners. Doc Bar appears in the pedigrees of a great deal of successful cutting horses but you have to ask yourself what you need. A cutter does not need to be pretty, just full of cow - you want him to fall down on his belly and vibrate on a cow. A busy minded Doc Bar horse will give a lot of sting and flutter by channeling his energy, and will be a great cutting horse. However, in reining this may get you in trouble. A reiner has to be totally tuned into you. You want a horse that you can run wide open down the centre of an arena and that will stop on your command. He has to lead change quietly, have a beautiful profile at a lope and look pretty. One example of a truly great minded Doc Bar bed horse is Smart Chic Olena. He is truly special and fits right in with what we want to produce in today’s industry. TELL ME ABOUT THE MARE’S INFLUENCE IN BREEDING A GREAT HORSE I am a fanatic for the importance of a mare in producing a great horse. A great stud will never do anything on an average mare. For a mare to be great she will either have a great show record or, perhaps more importantly, a great produce record. Top mares have both and they are not easy to find! In order to promote a stallion to the public you need great mares so that he may produce his best. He needs to be seen to produce great horses from great mares and if he doesn't then he is not a great stud. Some stallions are like this. He may have a tremendous show record but that is no guarantee that he will succeed in the breeding barn. DO YOU BELIEVE IN A SYSTEM OF GRADING BREEDING STOCK? In terms of selecting or grading stock I think you need to be able to do this yourself. I don’t need anyone to tell me what I have but then I am honest and critical of my horses. One of the greatest problems people have in breeding is ‘barn blindness’ meaning they think they have something better than it is. Breeders need to get educated if they want to produce a good show horse and not just raise a pet. Get out to lectures and seminars, read books and don’t be afraid to ask someone with an experienced eye for an unbiased opinion. WHAT DO YOU GET FOR A $500 STUD FEE COMPARED TO $5,000+? A sound piece of advice is: 'if you want a winner, you don't go and buy as many horses you can afford - you go and buy the best.' This also applies when selecting a stud. The best investment you can make is to use your best mare and go buy a breeding to a great stallion – one that has produced great stock. You may end up having to spend $25,000, (Smart Chic Olena’s current fee) but you can also get plenty for less. My great horse Topsail Whiz stands this season for $6,000. He is the second $4,000,000 horse in NRHA history but I keep his price at this level as it means my good customers come back year after year and I don’t hurt my horse through excessive stud fees. WHICH STUD DO YOU THINK WILL BECOME ‘THE NEXT BIG THING?’ I rode Rosanne Sternberg’s Smart Spook just the other week and where I liked him before, I love him now. I can tell a lot more about a horse once I have ridden him and he has a great mind and has to be my favorite son of Smart Chic Olena. I am not a betting man but it is my strong opinion that he will be an outstanding producer. In fact, after that ride I booked two of my best mares to him - Mizen Topsail who is on the NRHA Leading Mare List (a daughter of Topsail Cody) and Ebony White (a daughter of Topsail Whiz). I can tell you now that the next generation of great sires will be the sons of great horses today, and all of them out of great mares. A great race horse man once told me that if you breed a great stud to a generic mare you may raise a good show horse, but 99% of great breeding horses are out of 'great' mares. HOW DO YOU FEEL THE CASE IS GOING FOR REINING’S INCLUSION IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES? I think the Olympic campaign is going very well. I feel strongly that reining will become an Olympic event, but when? I don’t think anyone is in a position to answer that yet. I hope it is sooner rather than later! WHY DO YOU THINK THAT REINING HAS BECOME THE FASTEST GROWING EQUESTRIAN SPORT IN THE WORLD? I think a lot of the impact in the beginning was that a reiner represented the ultimate in a broke horse, and running a horse as fast as you can into a stop and sliding 30 feet is quite a thrill! Reining has appeal all over the world because of the romantic USA cowboy image it evokes and at the end of the day what is more exciting than a reining horse? IS THERE ANYTHING GOING ON IN THE INDUSTRY THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON? I have been an NRHA trainer since 1966 and I think it is fabulous how the industry has grown in the last 41 years. In 1968 I bought the best mare I could for a client. That mare was Futurity Champion and a winner at Congress and I paid $2,500 for her. Today she would be worth around $250,000. I really have nothing but praise for this great industry. We have good people at the helm managing the Association and great reining people all over the world. It is thanks to individuals such as Eleuterio Arcese and Rosanne Sternberg that the sport has developed to the extent it has. They have not only invested in some of the best stock but have taken them back home to establish the reining horse industry in new countries. top |
BACKGROUND
Bob Loomis is a forefather of the Reining industry. Winner of the NRHA Futurity six times and 12 times World Champion, Bob has been breeding and raising reining horses longer than anyone else. Bob is in the NRHA Hall of Fame and was NRHA President in 1982. FOR YOU REFERENCE: KING
DOC BAR
TOPSAIL CODY
Earner of $29,237; NRHA Hall of Fame; NRHA Million Dollar Sire; 1980 NRHA Open Futurity Champion; 1981 World Champion Junior Reining; NRHA #6 All-Time Leading Sire, and AQHA All-Time Leading Sire of Performance ROM, siring earners in excess of $1,500,000; 5,565 points, and 151 Open and Amateur Register of Merits. TOPSAIL WHIZ
Earner of $53,868; NRHA's 2nd Four Million Dollar Sire; NRHA Hall of Fame; 3rd, NRHA Open Futurity; Lazy E Classic Open Reining Champion; Congress AQHA Champion Junior Reining Horse; AQHA Open Performance ROM. Topsail Whiz was the 2002 NRHA #1 Leading Sire; 2002 NRHA & AQHA World Champion Sire, and has sired earners of $4,500,000. WESTCOAST WHIZ
Earner of $131,592; NRHA Open Derby Reserve Champion, NRHA Open Derby Co-Reserve Champion, Southwest Reining Horse Futurity Open Champion, 30 AQHA points, Performance ROM, Future NRHA Million Dollar Sire. In his first foal crop, West Coast Whiz produced one NRHA Open Futurity Finalist and half of the foals from this first crop were money earners (2004). For more information on Bob and the Loomis Ranch please visit www.loomisranch.net |
BREED PROFILE The ApRHA Futurity is an incentive for NRHA members to keep an Appaloosa or two around to try and compete for the money. Buying an appaloosa reiner is still a good deal, because an equivalent QH reiner will be priced approximately $10,000 more. Those who ride, breed and compete QHs are still skeptical about the marketability of the Appaloosa, which lowers its value with more quality inventory, the Appaloosa reining horse is on the right path to becoming a consistent formidable contender in a world dominated by the American Quarter Horse. The Paint Horse Association was more progressive in following the lead of the QH, and the Appaloosa breeders have followed at a distant pace. This is not entirely the fault of the breeders. There has been a lot of controversy within the membership of the ApHC as to whether to allow solid-colored outcrosses of Appy/QH to be registered. There are predominantly two polarized sentiments within the ApHC: Those who want to keep the breed a pure color breed and discourage crosses which produce solid colored horses and those who see out-crossing as a way to improve the breed’s marketability for show and performance. Some in the industry thought it would be beneficial to owners of colored stallions, as their breedings would increase, but the loss of so many prominent breeders left a large deficit in the amount of Appaloosa mares being bred. This rule change not only affected the Appaloosa reining horse breeders, but Appaloosa breeders of many different show disciplines. Due to the decline in membership and sales, the ApHC is now again allowing solid colored outcrosses to be registered to show at an increased registration fee. For specific details on this new registration program and allowed outcross breeds please contact the Appaloosa Horse Club (www.appaloosa.com). The Appaloosa Reining Horse Association is dedicated to the promotion of the Appaloosa reining horse, its breeders, owners and riders. The organization offers incentives to encourage the growth and popularity of the Appaloosa reining horse in Open and breed competition. The ApRHA believes championship reining has no color boundaries. top |
BACKGROUND The futurity is open to registered Appaloosa horses and offers both Open, Intermediate Open and Non-Pro divisions. The futurity has steadily grown in purse size and entrants as recognition of the excellent pay-out has spread across the US and Canada. The show is judged by NRHA judges, following NRHA rules. Riders must show one-handed. Open riders must compete on a three-year old, Non-Pro riders can ride either 3 or 4 year old horses.
Hawk Crest Farm |
STALLION DIRECTORY PART II |
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Online resource for Western horse breeding in Europe and beyond. Great for promoting your breeding stock to a world wide audience. The Star Breeders database is used to power the stallion directory searches on Quarter Horse Today (www.qh-today.de) and Western Info (www.westerninfo.de).
LOOKING FOR A STUD? Search for QH, Paint and Appaloosa stallions by pedigree, stud free, points won, money earnt or even colour. |
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WESTERN PERFORMANCE SHOW POSTPONED |
Novice Youth Fun Day with Lisa John Clinic with Fain Yearty, AQHA, NRHA, NSBA, Judge & Trainer
MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER |
