VQHA Summer Newsletter - Virginia Quarter Horse Association

VQHA
Newsletter
2014
President’s Message
In This Issue:
President’s Message
VQHA News
Amateur News
Queen’s Page
Calendar
Cowboy Camp Flyer
VQHA Futurity Show Bill
AQHA Tidbits
Horseplay
First, I would like to thank Steve Meadows for his
dedication to the VQHA, his hard work over the past
years moving VQHA forward, and his continued support
helping VQHA grow. Secondly, thank you to all the
board members for their hard work and dedication to
continue moving VQHA in the right direction. We face
many challenges ahead of us, but I am confident that
by working together the VQHA will continue its growth
and increase in its success. With all members active,
involved, and supporting Virginia shows and activities,
we will continue to move our association into a bright
and positive future. We are off to a great start! I look
forward to the task of continuing our great success.
Thanks again for your support!
Brian Felts
VQHA President
Notes from the VQHA Nominating Committee
The following VQHA positions are up for reelection this year:
Secretary (Currently held by Mike Stoher)
Treasurer (Currently held by Laura Boardwine)
Director at Large #2 (Currently held by David Lamb)
Director at Large #4 (Currently held by Clarence Green)
Central Region (Currently held by Fay Pawlak)
Greater Richmond (Currently held by George Harcopos)
Northern Region (Currently held by Steve Ralls)
Anyone interested in running for these positions are asked to send their Letter
of Intent by September 20, 2014 to Michelle Tyson via email at rydqhs@verizon.net
or mail to 3515 Lancaster Ring Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22408.
VQHA News
VQHA Virginia Bred Program
Time is passing very fast now to get your stallions nominated in the Virginia Bred
Program. Before you know it, the Futurity will be here! The VQHA Breeders Futurity
Show will be held at the Meadows Event Park, Doswell, VA on September 13 and 14,
2014. See the show bill in this newsletter. A covered arena has just been finished in
case of rain. The Virginia Horse Industry Board has awarded a grant of $6,000 for this
Futurity. A sale page has been set up for horses sired by nominated stallions in the
program. For more information on rules and the stallion nomination form, go to the
VQHA web site at www.myvqha.com under Programs, Virginia Bred Program.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Virginia Bred Show Entries:
These horses by the Virginia Bred nominated stallion Heza Classy Chic are to be
entered in the Virginia Bred Futurity in September:
Custom Chrome Chic – By Heza Classy Chic and out of Too Smart To Hotrod
No Smokin Chics – By Heza Classy Chic and out of Luckys Vanilla Charm
Uno Who Dun It (pending) – By Heza Classy Chic and out of Luckys Vanilla Charm
Chics Raging Bull (pending) – By Heza Classy Chic and out of Too Smart To Hotrod
Uno Who Dun It
Custom Chrome Chic
No Smokin Chics
Chics Raging Bull
VQHA News
Central Region Clinic
Central Region would like to give a special thank
you to Steve Meadows for a successful clinic!
Central Region held a clinic with Steve Meadows
on May 17th at Al and Debbie Cursie’s farm in
Spotsylvania, VA. Our auditing participants were
included in question and answer sessions during and
after each discipline. Steve talked and demonstrated
Hunter Under Saddle/Equitation, Horsemanship,
Western Pleasure and Ranch Horse. Lunch was
provided by Chuck Johannes and Austin Ralls, while
also donating a percentage of their profits to Horses
for Heroes. Everyone had a great day and Steve
couldn’t have been more generous with his time!
Steve answering questions
from the audience.
Austin and Chuck getting
ready for lunch.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cowboy Showcase Show
There was a nice turnout at the June 7th - 8th Cowboy Showcase Show at the Cornerstone
Horsemanship facility. We had 10 entries in the Open Ranch Horse Pleasure class and 6
in the Amateur class. That is almost as many as there were in those classes at the Virginia
Classic! There were also 11 entries in the Working Cow Horse class. The Jackpot Cattle
Drive class was a huge hit once again. Everyone had a great time and the payback was
greatly appreciated by the winners. A video of some of the runs from that class can be
seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTGyxwkJhHw
VQHA News
Ranch Horses at Work
Last week at Somerville Farm near Mitchells, VA, several show horses had the
opportunity to prove that they can perform outside the arena. Pasture management
is important to the success of the farm, so Shorty Freckle Fritz, Hancocks Quixote Ace,
Playlena Peppy, and Feisty Blonde moved this part of the herd to fresh pasture.
Horses are used as much as possible to move cattle at Somerville Farm, giving the
show horses a nice break from working in the arena!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two More New Arrivals!
Shortly after dawn on April 7th a handsome bay
colt was born at the Cornerstone Horsemanship
facility. Around the barn we call him “Bull”. His dam
is Too Smart To Hotrod and his sire is Heza Classy
Chic. With bloodlines like Smart Chic Olena, Smart
Little Lena, Smart Like Juice, and Hotrodders Jet
Set, he has the potential to do anything!
Little Alabama
Chics Raging Bull
In the late afternoon on June 3rd a beautiful bay
filly was born to Jewel Chic Olena, a daughter of
Heza Classy Chic. The sire of this cute little girl is
Pepto Spade, a grandson of Peptoboonsmal and
Haidas Little Pep. Since her Mom's barn name is
Alabama, this little girl is called “L.A.” for Little
Alabama. Like both of her parents she is full of
energy. She is going to make an awesome ranch
horse when she is older!
2014 Board Members
President – Kristy Drew-Pruitt - Kdrew2063@gmail.com
Vice-President – Jamie Hylton - JHylton392@aol.com
Secretary – Ida Klepper - idaklepper@gmail.com
Treasurer – Corinne Balsis - cjbalsis@gmail.com
Summer 2014 is in full swing, and there are a lot of quarter horse activities to take
advantage of no matter what your discipline or interests are. I would encourage you to
visit the VQHA website at www.myvqha.com for upcoming trail rides, VQHA approved
shows, seminars and clinics.
The VAQHA board is working hard on two upcoming events. First, our All Amateur
Social which will be held at the August Culpeper show. We are looking forward to seeing
everyone in a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy good company and discussion. Also, we are
hosting two training opportunities at the September Futurity show for pattern class
riders and horses.
Here are some helpful tips if you travel with your equine partner or bring unfamiliar
horses onto your facility, you could be exposing yourself to the potential for disease
transmission. Here are a couple of tips to protect you and your horse(s):
• Make sure your horse is up to date on all vaccinations. (Don't forget about boosters!)
• When traveling, try to use your own equipment such as water buckets, tack and
grooming gear.
• If you have been in contact with other horses, thoroughly wash your hands before
handling your own horses.
• If possible, prevent nose to nose contact between your horse(s) and unfamiliar
horses.
• Isolate new arrivals from resident horses for at least two weeks, and check them
daily for any signs of ill health.
Ride Safe - Ride Often
Kristy
Crystal Speeks-Strohecker - cgspeeks@yahoo.com
Jamie Hylton - JHylton392@aol.com
Jennifer Larsen - showqtrhrs@yahoo.com
Rockstar Horse Show
Culpeper, VA
August 1st - 3rd
Do you need to correct an issue
that has developed in your
pattern classes?
This is your chance!
The VAQHA would like to
invite all Amateurs to get
to know your classmate
social. This social will be
open to any Amateur from
the VAQHA or any other
regional affiliate.
Refreshments and snacks
will be served.
There will be door prizes!
Come join the fun and
meet your classmates
outside of the show pen!
Day and time will be
announced at the show .
The VAQHA Board will be
available for any
questions/suggestions.
The VAQHA will host two schooling classes
at the upcoming Virginia Bred Futurity
on Sept 13-14.
VAQHA will host one English Equitation
and one Western Horsemanship class. The
classes will be held at the conclusion of
the Equitation/Horsemanship classes.
Open to Youth, Novice Youth, Amateurs,
and Novice Amateurs.
Entry Fee: $10 at the gate
(cash or check made payable to VAQHA)
Patterns TBD
Get prepared for the Novice
Championships, Congress or World.
Hometown: Gainesville, VA
Years Riding: 26
Current Horse(s): You Know You Wanna Watch and Regal Intention
Occupation: Farm Manager at Hylton Quarter Horses
Favorite Event: Western Riding
How did you get involved in horses? My Mother
always had horses so I have been riding since I was
two years old. When I was six years old my Mother
was showing quarter horses with Connie Christopher
and they took a chance and sent me in my first small
fry walk trot class. I've been hooked ever since!
Major Equine Accomplishments: Top Ten at NSBA
World in Non pro maturity and multiple futurity wins.
What would you like to see changed in the industry?
I really like the industry where it is today. I think the
industry has made the necessary changes over the past
several years to really make the horses shine.
Future goals: To continue showing quarter horses and be competitive in the industry.
Why do you show? It's my passion. There's a huge sense of accomplishment you get
when you go out there and have a great ride!
Other interests outside of horses? Football, marketing and fashion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VQHA Queen’s
Tack Trunk Raffle
Tickets can be purchased on our
2014 VQHA Queen Facebook
page or at horse shows.
We will draw for the winner at
the September VA Bred Futurity!
Attention all L1 (Novice) Exhibitors
The Nutrena Novice Championship (East) will be held in Murfreesboro,
TN and the SmartPak Novice Championship (West) will be held in Las
Vegas, NV from September 30 - October 5, 2014.
There are 4 ways to participate in the championships (applicable to
Youth or Amateur):
• Show at 20 shows in a Level 1 (formerly Novice) Class
• Place in the top 10 in a Level 1 class at an AQHA Regional
Championship Show
• Qualify through the exhibitor’s state/provincial affiliate (Contact
Brian Felts or Kristy Drew-Pruitt for additional information)
• Participate in Rookie Classes (Note: you and your horse must be
eligible for rookie classes)
Please Note: If you are interested in qualifying through the exhibitors
state/provincial affiliate, you must send a letter of intent (email) to
Mike Stoher and Brian Felts by July 15th with the following information:
Your name and AQHA membership number, your horse’s name and
registration number and which classes you would like to participate in.
*Exhibitors are responsible for all fees and show expenses*
Additional information can be found at
www.aqha.com/Showing/Novice-Championship.aspx
VQHA Queen
The dream of many young girls is to have a pony to call their own. For most it is a passing fantasy,
but for others the desire intensifies into adulthood. I did not escape this fantasy as a young girl, but my
dreams were just slightly different. I knew that ponies are stubborn, difficult and small. I wanted a
horse. Every time I blew out birthday candles for the first twenty years of my life I wished for a horse of
my own. My childhood was destined to provide me with other lessons, but my dreams of a horse were
postponed. Almost a year and a half ago I finally realized my dream. I have always admired everything
the American Quarter Horse stands for and the breed topped my list in every quality I sought in my
new horse. In January of 2013 I brought my Zips Chocolate Chip granddaughter, Zip Away With My Art,
home to Virginia. Sometimes a dream delayed is even sweeter.
In May I graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor’s in Human
Development and a minor in Equine Science. Combining the two studies
has allowed me to tailor my education to my specific passion. Working with
mentally and physically disabled children and adults through therapeutic
riding helped me pinpoint my calling. The past year I have had the pleasure
of furthering my hands-on education with an internship at Healing Strides
of Virginia. Their work with children and adults in my community is awe
inspiring and I am proud to work alongside them and see changes brought
on in not only the lives of people they serve, but also in the people who work and volunteer there.
Hands down, the American Quarter Horse is the best partner a therapeutic riding instructor could
ask for. Their trainability, conformation and temperament make the Quarter Horse ideal for just about
any job asked of them, but they are a standout in the therapeutic riding industry. I realize just how
lucky I am to have such a wonderful mare to call my own. One day soon I hope to be able to use her as
my therapy partner and share her love and steadfastness with the disabled community. I am currently
working with the staff and horses at Healing Strides of VA to become a PATH certified instructor, and I
am excited to pursue a career in serving children and adults of all abilities as they chase their dreams
of becoming the best horseman they can become.
Having a later start in the horse industry than most people who aspire to make a lifelong homestead
here, I hope to use this year of opportunities to the best of my ability. I am working with my own mare
as we make our start in the show ring, both as rookies. We compete in mostly the English events, and
hope to add over fences classes as the show season progresses. I am also thrilled to be able to work
with my good friend, and Queen Mother’s gelding, Elope With Me. We will team up together for
horsemanship throughout the season in preparation for Queen’s Horsemanship at Congress.
It is an honor to represent the Virginia Quarter Horse Association in the 2014 Congress Queen’s
Contest. Serving as a role model for our youth members and sharing my knowledge will be a
wonderfully rewarding experience and I know I will be able to gain new insights from those wiser and
more experienced than myself as well. I love meeting new people who share my love for our American
Quarter Horses, so if you happen to see me at a show or other event, please stop and say hello!
~Abby Houchin
American Quarter Horse
2014 Youth World Cup
Brazos County Expo
Bryan, TX
Summer Shootout Show
AQHA Special Event and
Open Stock Horse show
Cornerstone
Horsemanship Facility
Reva, VA
Jul 5-6
Bank of America
Youth Excellence Seminar
College Station, TX
Jul 7-9
Cornerstone Horsemanship
Cowboy Camp
Reva, VA
Jul 12-13
Rockstar Horse Show
rockstarhorseshows.com
Culpeper, VA
Aug 1-3
AQHYA
Youth World Show
Oklahoma City, OK
Aug 1-9
Fall Roundup Show
AQHA Special Event and
Open Stock Horse Show
Cornerstone
Horsemanship Facility
Reva, VA
Sep 6-7
VQHA
Virginia Bred Futurity
Meadows Event Park
Doswell, VA
Jul 3-13
Sep 13-14
See VQHA website for more details and future events.
Cornerstone Horsemanship
Cowboy Camp
July 12 & 13, 2014
Reva, Virginia
A fun and informative weekend for riders of all levels to learn more
about cowboy ranch work. No experience with cattle is necessary and you
do NOT need to know how to rope. This is a great introduction for horses
and/or riders to work cattle. Rider must have enough riding ability to walk,
trot, lope and stop their horse.
•How to start a horse on cattle, track and move cattle, sorting & penning cattle
•Better understanding of basic cattle handling abilities & reading cattle
•Introducing your horse to roping & dragging, and basic roping skills
•Cowboy campfire & potluck dinner Saturday night
(participants and non participants invited)
•Cowboy competitions each day
Saturday & Sunday sessions will be 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Cost for participants is $300.
Price includes lunch both days and panel stall in camping area.
Non-participants are welcome to come to any clinic and observe at no charge.
Cowboy Church Sunday morning at 9:00 A.M. Everyone is invited.
For more information or to register, call 540-292-5213 or
email cornerstonehorsemanship@gmail.com
Charles & Michele Pellham
www.cornerstonehorsemanship.com
find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CornerstoneHorsemanship
AQHA Tidbits
Cut Your Feed-Bill Cost
Research shows that using a round-bale feeder saves both time and money:
Feeding round bales is an increasingly common method of providing forage to horses
housed in poor pastures, dry lots and during winter months. Letting horses eat hay
from round-bale feeders saves time, cuts labor and reduces waste, so the feeders pay
for themselves pretty quickly. A study led by Krishona Martinson, Ph.D., at the
University of Minnesota puts it in numbers. “I think the big-take home message from
our study is that you have to use a feeder when you’re feeding found bales,” says
Krishona, the cooperative extension equine specialist at U of M. “Not using a feeder
results in 57 percent waste, and at the current cost of hay, owners simply cannot afford
to loose that much hay.” In the June issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal,
Krishona presents the results from her research and contributes her observations from
the study. In “Round Time,” Krishona compares nine round-bale feeders to each other
and to a control. She takes into account four factors: hay waste, hay intake, herd
weight change and payback. “There is absolutely no reason you wouldn’t use a feeder,”
Krishona says. She emphasizes that choosing a feeder goes beyond the numbers to a
personal choice and offers the information for making an informed decision. (Read
more in the June issue of the Journal.)
Show Issues Addressed
The AQHA Show Council and strategic task force met to set
direction, address issues and bring innovation to shows:
The American Quarter Horse Association Show Council met with members of a show
strategic planning task force June 9-10 in Dallas to address critical issues related to the
AQHA show industry and model. The planning task force, appointed by the AQHA
Executive Committee, first met in January and identified several high-level AQHA show
issues, including improving the value of AQHA shows; organizing, allocating and
distributing AQHA shows; ideas for reinvigorating the AQHA show brand; improving
AQHA’s world shows, including reinforcing the prestige of qualifying for, entering and
competing at one of AQHA’s world shows; and the AQHA Incentive Fund. During the
joint meeting the groups spent time formulating recommendations to address the issues
AQHA’s shows are facing and that the Show Council will now drive forward. To keep up
with AQHA show industry and council developments, visit www.aqha.com/showing.
HORSEPLAY
~ I live in a house but my home is in the stable ~
A dog may be
man’s best friend…
But the horse wrote history!